I wanted to highlight some of the posts that I have received the most positive feedback on.
The etymology of Christmas is not that hard to see. It is the Christ-Mass. That works. Easter is etymologically weird. The fact that Easter, ostensibly celebrating the resurrection of the Christ, is associated with bunnies and eggs is weirder. As is …
I have had this little blog for nearly a year, and while I am not producing as much content as I would like, I am immensely proud of what I have written. January is a time to look back at …
First…HUMP DAY! Next… The days of the week in English are based mostly on Norse Gods. Wednesday comes from “Wodan’s Day.” As mentioned previously, as languages change and morph it is common for letters to drop off due to slight …
This is one of the most stunning images I have ever seen. In college I owned it as a poster. I found two copies of it at the Smithsonian Museum of Natural History where I volunteer a couple …
I do have a date that I hold to, but it is really just a place marker, and not universally agreed. My date: 1492. If you want to cover your butt, you would say the Middle Ages ended circa 1500. …
I have an M.A. in Medieval History, and I Don’t Know When the Middle Ages Ended. Read more »
While I don’t believe in the “Names and Dates” approach to history, (It turns the amazing tapestry of our past into a boring list.) I do believe some dates should be known as important “markers.” Two dates I do feel people …
The Oldest Colonized Settlement in the United States Read more »
About ten years ago, I was lucky enough to have a chance to visit Pompeii. Walking through the ancient city streets is a surreal experience (and one I highly recommend if you ever have the chance). At one street corner …
