Last week, I worked on content for a Web site that had me thinking about word meanings. Not just their definitions, but also how they sound and their “aura.” For example, “lucid,” which means “mentally sound” doesn’t sound like its meaning. Lucid usually represents a good thing — however, it sounds like a bad thing. … Read more
On occasion, I get an assignment from a specific client that includes brainstorming company names as well as finding potential matching domain names. Lifehack has a nice article on How To Brainstorm Domain Names. When I brainstorm names that need domain names, here are things I keep in mind: * Avoid words where the end … Read more
OK, if this poll by British pollsters of YouGov is accurate — then prepare to cringe. The ten most hated words on the Internet — based on a poll of 2,091 adults — reports the following words making the list: 1. folksonomy 2. blogosphere 3. blog 4. netiquette 5. blook 6. webinar 7. vlog 8. … Read more
I love the Metaphor Minute newsletter from Anne Miller, author of Metaphorically Selling. Each issue comes with a short example of how to use metaphors in business and presentations. The latest issue shows how someone finally got her point across using fishing as the metaphor: Corporate executives who cling to the old “dialing for dollars … Read more
We’ve discussed apostrophes many times here, and we’re not going to stop anytime soon as long as the abuse continues. WikiHow’s How to Use Apostrophes mentions the frequent use of “photo’s” and it’s true. I know a few PTA parents who add an apostrophe in photos. I don’t understand why. It’s not as if it … Read more
Not a typo nor making fun of any language. Engrish.com is a Web site that collects funny English mistakes appearing in Japanese signs and advertising. To browse signs, click a topic form the left list.
Been busily writing a lot of how tos and I do a monthly column with a round-up of new and updated mobile software. It’s easy to write these types of articles, but they do present a challenge: repetition. As I write them, it feels like I’ve said the same stuff many times before with the … Read more
Do you want to hire an attorney who can’t spell the location of where he serves? Note the ad identifies the attorney’s specialty as “DWI.” I wonder if the lawyer was TWI (typing while intoxicated). I was born and bred in Fort Worth, and I’m a proud Cowtown native. I’ve seen my share of “Forth … Read more
Mission statements are a waste of time. I’ve been handed statements on credit card style cards, but they never stuck with me. The words were just jibber jabber. I covered this in a detailed post on visions, missions, positioning… And dug up this article on elevator pitches I wrote that appeared in a defunct newsletter. … Read more
In talking about speed reading, Scott H. Young mentions a word I hadn’t come across: Subvocalization. He defines it: “Subvocalization is saying the words inside your head as you read them.” I’ve done this almost my entire life and didn’t know there was a word for it. Hearing words in my head is a natural … Read more