root words

Digraphs vs. Diphthongs.

Jj is for Jottings 114.  Digraphs vs. Diphthongs.

Digraphs vs. diphthongs – what exactly are they and how do they differ?  They both begin with the same two letters, but then they diverge (get the pun?)

THE ROOTS OF DIGRAPHS AND DIPHTHONGS.

It is always helpful to understand the roots of words, because then we are able to transfer that learning to other situations.  It’s like teaching a man to fish rather than just giving him a fish.  (“Give a man a fish and you feed him for a day; teach a man to fish and you feed him for a lifetime.”  Maimonides.)  For a discussion of root words which underlie one of my pet peeves, see here. Continue reading →

Children or Feet? Using the Right Root.

Petra’s foot after David had done her toenails (ped=”foot” + filed her toenails. They’re actually cut rather than filed, but I couldn’t resist the pun.)

 

Jj is for Jottings 43.  Children or Feet?  Using the Right Root.

I’ve decided it’s time to air one of my pet language peeves because it crops up so frequently both in conversation and in the media.  I begin with a question: Do pedophiles love children or do they just love feet (which would be odd, but harmless)? Continue reading →