Tag Archives: English

The Blendifferous Art of Combining Words

Posted on December 2, 2025 by mitchteemley

Blendifferous* = A term I just invented by combining the words “blend” and “splendifferous.”An apt ajective, I think, for the art of portmanteau. I know, you’re thinking, “Aha, Portmanteau, I was there once! It’s on the French Riviera, right?” Sorry, … Continue reading →

Posted in Culture, Humor, Quips and Quotes | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 80 Comments

Tips for Writers: Are You a Vulcan or a Klingon?

Posted on July 10, 2024 by mitchteemley

Whether you’re a get-to-the-point communicator or a wild-and-wooly wordsmith, you’ll be a better writer if you tap both sides of your brain: the logical, pragmatic, Vulcan side, and the intuitive, sensory, Klingon side. How? By employing words from the two … Continue reading →

Posted in Humor, Quips and Quotes, Writing | Tagged , , , , , , | 36 Comments

Can’t Choose Just One Word? Combine ‘Em!

Posted on October 22, 2020 by mitchteemley

Portmanteau. Yeah, I know, you’re thinking, “I was there once! It’s on the French Riviera, right?” Sorry, Jacques, non. A portmanteau is a new word created by mashing together two (or more) pre-existing words. For example, I’m going to write … Continue reading →

Posted in Humor, Quips and Quotes | Tagged , , , , , , , | 44 Comments

Tell Me Why

Posted on July 3, 2019 by mitchteemley

My Featured Blogger this week is Bereaved Single Dad (I’m afraid I don’t know his name), a widowed Englishman with wit, hope, and an indomitable spirit. Sometimes he’s funny, sometimes he rants, but he’s always engaging. Bottom line: He cares. … Continue reading →

Posted in Humor, Writing | Tagged , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

I Want to Know…

Posted on January 27, 2018 by mitchteemley

Why parents always proudly announce the birth of their “new baby.” Do some women give birth to old babies? Or used babies? Why “go” means almost anything we want it to: “So, I go (say), ‘I have to go (use … Continue reading →

Posted in Humor, Quips and Quotes | Tagged , , , , , , , | 37 Comments

Get it Write!

Posted on June 9, 2017 by mitchteemley

In the beginning…I object, a baby should never be subject to this! (Well, no wonder, with what they subjected him to as a baby!) Apostrophes are a sign of ownership. I tell ya, the chicks dig it. Classic hieroglyphic faux pas ⇑ Modern hieroglyphics ⇓ Writers: … Continue reading →

Posted in Humor, Popular Culture & Entertainment, Writing | Tagged , , , , , , | 11 Comments