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Medieval beach reads
How to read Middle English and Scots texts in the original
Aug 5
•
Colin Gorrie
176
20
11
Does your name belong in the Odyssey?
The ancient formula still alive in “Richard” and “Audrey”
Jul 29
•
Colin Gorrie
108
12
7
How to read Beowulf (and actually enjoy it)
It’s not really about the monsters
May 27
•
Colin Gorrie
201
15
28
The Canterbury Commute
Verses composed in Middle English while waiting for the 7:42 train
Apr 29
•
Colin Gorrie
188
31
10
Why you should read Sir Gawain and the Green Knight
This spring’s book club pick
Apr 15
•
Colin Gorrie
227
20
15
A bluffer’s guide to etymology
How to guess the age and origin of any English word
Apr 8
•
Colin Gorrie
158
6
13
The age when English could do anything
And why we wouldn't have Shakespeare without it
Mar 25
•
Colin Gorrie
90
7
12
No, Shakespeare didn’t invent those words
Bias, evidence, and the Oxford English Dictionary
Mar 18
•
Colin Gorrie
251
19
26
Scots, English, and the linguistic uncanny valley
English’s fascination with its closest cousin
Jan 21
•
Colin Gorrie
178
33
13
The ancient poetic law that explains basically everything
From Sanskrit grammar to nursery rhymes
Aug 16, 2025
•
Colin Gorrie
226
18
23
Is Beowulf based on true events?
The real history behind the poem
Aug 13, 2025
•
Colin Gorrie
137
52
15
The case for Middle English
It’s not just The Canterbury Tales
Aug 6, 2025
•
Colin Gorrie
181
22
19
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