This is really a great stuff for sharing. Keep it up .Thanks for sharing.

You can probably blame the Rolling Stones for introducing the "off of" phrase:

"HEY! YOU! Get off of my cloud..."

Memorable, if not literate.

Beth F.

Re: Rick # 44. 'Less' refers to volume; 'fewer' refers to quantity.

e.g. I have less soup in my bowl than my brother but he has fewer carrots with his roast beef.

The subway doors have always said (or at least did when I was a kid, and I would stare at the way there were three words on each door):

Please Keep Hands Off The Doors"

No "of" in there.

Chicago "toddler" compared to NYC!!

What are the roots of the phrase, "like," instead of "um?"

are you folks actually unaware of the book “Going Rouge” or that pronouncing "schism" as “siz’m” is one of the most moronic pseudo-pedantries (a fossilized false pronunciation)?

My understanding of the Sarah Palin book title is that it is an ironic reference to an event during the '08 campaign. Supposedly, when Palin was galvanizing the GOP base and going off-script, certain McCain aides referred to her as "going rogue." So she took that pejorative term and claimed it as her own.

tod·dle (tdl)
intr.v. tod·dled, tod·dling, tod·dles
1. To walk with short, unsteady steps.

this makes sense:
2. To walk leisurely; stroll.

"Hinky" has become common by being used on cop shows and movies.

Billy Sunday was a professional baseball player before he became an evangelist.
So there!

Saint Nicholas was a Turkish Bishop in the 4th Century or somesuch. He helped three orphan virgins with their doweries, and became known as a gift giver. Saint Nicholas became Sinter Klaus in Dutch, and then Santa Claus in English. Hey, I thought everyone knew that.

As an Israeli, I can confirm and correct the caller -- Israelis use "Sylvestre" to refer to the first day of the Gregorian calendar, or New Year's Day. NOT Christmas.

Going Rouge: Sarah Palin An American Nightmare.
is a separate publication published by OR Books.

Most people seem to use "very" and "much" interchangeably. My main question is in the phrase "that's much different" which seems wrong, should be "that's very different".
Which is correct?

Saint Nicholas (Greek: Άγιος Νικόλαος , Agios ["saint"] Nikolaos ["victory of the people"]) (270 - 7 December 346) is the common name for Nicholas of Myra, a saint and Bishop of Myra (Demre, in Lycia, part of modern-day Turkey). Because of the many miracles attributed to his intercession, he is also known as Nicholas the Wonderworker. He had a reputation for secret gift-giving, such as putting coins in the shoes of those who left them out for him, and thus became the model for Santa Claus, whose English name comes from the Dutch Sinterklaas. His reputation evolved among the faithful, as is common for early Christian saints.[3] In 1087, his relics were furtively translated to Bari, in southeastern Italy; for this reason, he is also known as, Nicholas of Bari.

For his help to the poor, Nicholas is the patron saint of pawnbrokers; the three gold balls traditionally hung outside a pawnshop symbolize the three sacks of gold. People then began to suspect that he was behind a large number of other anonymous gifts to the poor, using the inheritance from his wealthy parents. After he died, people in the region continued to give to the poor anonymously, and such gifts were still often attributed to St. Nicholas.

A nearly identical story is attributed by Greek folklore to Basil of Caesarea. Basil's feast day on January 1 is considered the time of exchanging gifts in Greece.

Less vs. Fewer was a major peeve of my dad, a writer, growing up. He'd lecture people are at the checkout line about 10 items or less. I notice, however, Whole Foods has it as "fewer."

According to Wikipedia Santa Claus is the English name comes from the Dutch Sinterklaas

In Poland, Sylvester is the term for New Year's - it is the Sylvester is the saint's day for New Year's eve.

Silvester (also spelled sylvester or sylwester) is used in some countries, including Austria, Croatia, the Czech Republic, France, Germany, Hungary, Israel, Italy, Poland, Slovakia, Switzerland and Slovenia, as a name for New Year's Eve. The origin of the name is that 31 December is Saint Sylvester's Day, named for Pope Sylvester I,[1] who died on that day in 335.

The introduction of the Gregorian calendar in 1582 moved the last day of the year from 24 December to the current date

Hello --

On the caller who said that Israelis refer to Christmas as "Sylvester" -- Actually, Israelis refer to New Year's Eve as Sylvester, which I think comes from Saint Sylvester in the Catholic Church. Israelis call Christmas "Chag Ha Mulad" -- the holiday of the birth.

Have a great holiday and keep up the great shows.

I'm amazed that you folks don't know this. Saint Nicholas was a bishop in Turkey in the 4th Century (I believe). He was famous for helping three orphaned virgins with doweries. Saint Nicholas became Sinter Claus in Dutch,and Saint Nicholas in English.

I understand that "Going Rogue" is code for practicing unprotected anal sex amongst those in the London homosexual community.

In Germany everyone calls New Year's Eve Sylvester, so I doubt that it's Christmas-specific.

Perhaps the erudite Sarah Palin really wanted to use "maverick" -a much more appropriate word- but it had already been taken by her erstwhile running mate.

St. Sylvester's saint's day is December 31. In Germany (and Israel too, apparently) New Year's is referred to as simply Sylvester.

"La Festa di San Silvestro is celebrated December 31 on New Year's Eve. As with most Italian festivals, food plays a major role. Families and friends get together for a huge feast..."

Sylvester is New Years in german. not sure why Sylvester would refer to Xmas in Isreal unless it was just a cultural mix up for winter holidays in Europe

Hello, St. Sylvester's saint's day is December 31. Thus, Germans refer to New Year's Eve as "Sylvester". Not really Christmas related, but close enough.

As for the Israelis, Sylvester also made living in Jerusalem illegal for Jews - I'm not sure why they want to commemorate him.

the question about Sylvester probably refers to New Year's Eve. In French it is La Saint-Sylvestre, in German it is Silvester, etc.

The Israeli term for New Year’s night celebrations, “Sylvester,” was the name of the “Saint” and Roman Pope who reigned during the Council of Nicaea (325 C.E.). The year before the Council of Nicaea convened, Sylvester convinced Constantine to prohibit Jews from living in Jerusalem. At the Council of Nicaea, Sylvester arranged for the passage of a host of viciously anti-Semitic legislation. All Catholic “Saints” are awarded a day on which Christians celebrate and pay tribute to that Saint’s memory. December 31 is Saint Sylvester Day – hence celebrations on the night of December 31 are dedicated to Sylvester’s memory.

Sylvester is not Christmas; it is New Year's. Sylwester, w pronounced like a v, is a Polish word.

The Fete de St. Sylvestre is celebration of New Yrs Eve in France

"Digital" comes from your fingers: digits. you can count on your fingers only whole number, they aren't analog.

In reply to a caller- Israelis call new years eve Sylvester. Maybe that day is associated with Saint Sylvester?
Christmas is called Christmas in Israel.

"Sylvester" is New Year's Eve (St. Sylvester's celebration day).

I would like to know why and when "American" became the name of the inhabitants of the US and America a short name for the country when it is the name of a whole continent, including Canada, Mexico and all the countries down to Argentina. "Americanos" was used in 19th century documents -at least in Spanish -to refer to the inhabitants of Hispanic America (for instance Jose Marti and Bolivar used to talk about the "americanos" and they were not talking about the US).
Is it connected at all with any imperialistic move/worldview?
Thanks.

sylv = woods ester = fat (man)

sylvester = santa claus

makes sense!

Glad to hear that we are really Germanic and that we don't have to stick to Latin rules of grammar!
For years we were told not to split our infinitives, a vestige of the Latin use of two words to express the infinitive. Finally a few years ago the OED told us (I am English) that it was OK to split infinitives in certain circumstances, so it was now okay for Capt. Kirk "to boldly go."

Sylvester is the word used for New Year's not Christmas. FYI.

Sylvester is what they call New Year's Eve in Germany I think. And it's an occasion for masquerade costumes etc.

happy holidays!! or happy solstice

I lived in Hungary for five years and my wife is Hungarian. They refer to New Year's Eve as Szilveszter (aka Sylvester), not Christmas, as the previous caller said. I think it's a reference a saint, but I'm not sure about that.

i think San Silvestro is New Years no?

Sylvester :
In Austria we call the last day of the year
Sylvester Day - because it is also the Feast of St. Sylvester. It may be that Jews of Austrian or German origin have continued calling the festive season that way. What do you think?
Elisabeth

"sylvester" is the name day for either january 1st or december 31st. In europe, everyone calls new year's ever sylvester.

odin became santa claus

st nick is from turkey, another being

It seems the word rouge is being used to mean something more, well maybe just different in Sarah Palins case, from the dictionary definition. Would your guest comment on how word use redefines a words definition?

Where on *earth* does the saying "Dear Me!" come from? I've always wondered. Was someone writing a letter to his/herself?

Where does the word "digital" come from?

I say 'Happy Holidays' precisely in order to be generic. I'm an atheist, and I acknowledge the diversity of religious belief and lack thereof.

Isn't Finnish more closely related to Turkish than any Western European language?

for God's sake, Leonard, ask the logical question: why did the pronounciation change from short-i "Krist" to long-i "Christ" in the 12th century!?!?

I'm no Palin fan, but her title is self-deprecating and historical. That's what McCain's handlers said about her: "She's going rogue." She's using that as a badge of honor on her planet.

I asked this question last month. What is the proper way to address two doctors of the same last name (husband and wife, brothers etc.)in a letter? Should it be Dear Drs. O'Connor?

"The whole nine yards" was the lenght of the canvas belts feeding bullets to the rear gunner on a British [Lancaster}?

When an enemy fighter got too close they gave him the "Whole nine yards. . ."

why do people say Geranimo in old movies when they jump off a cliff or something?
In Spanish it is a man's name. (sorry not a christmas comment)

I've noticed FI-nance is now always used by anchors, reporters, and talent on radio and television. They don't seem to know when the word should be pronounced fih-NANCE.

Can we discuss "inevitable" vs. "invariable" - I find frequent misuse.

Also, people THAT! is rampant and irks me to no end

One more: "have proven" vs. "have proved"

Thank you!

Which is correct?

Dennis is a "rebel rouser."

or

Dennis is a "rabble rouser."

If it *is* rabble rouser, where does that saying come from? Thanks!