Comments on: August 2012 Issue

By: Ron Eggleston

Ron Eggleston — Sat, 22 Sep 2012 15:05:15 +0000

Dear Word Detective,
I have two comments on your Aug 20-31 posting.
First, the discussion of Papa, Dad, etc. In our family, which is very much a WASP family, Papa is used for grandfather. Additionally, my brother-in-law, who is from the hill country in SW Pennsylvania, near W. Va, refers to himself as grandfather as Pap-pap.
Second, the definition of diverse as separate or different (I had always just thought of it as “multiplicity”) made me realize why so many conservatives are emotionally distraught by liberals advocating diversity. I think of my 98 year-old mother who sees Obama as “unAmerican” because he does not fit her idea of what a President should be (a 60 something white guy).

By: Laney

Laney — Fri, 21 Sep 2012 13:34:55 +0000

The saying we use is “If it ain’t one thing… it’s two.” Along with “Let’s burn that bridge when we come to it.” Here’s hoping for some good luck – you’re overdue for some!

By: Sam Long

Sam Long — Tue, 04 Sep 2012 23:38:40 +0000

Wow, those derechos can be dangerous, can’t they? I would find them interesting–I’m a meteorologist by training–but I’m glad I haven’t experienced one like you did. You might enjoy the magazine WEATHERWISE for more information about phenomena like derechos.