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My kingdom for a *h₁éḱwos!
How work, war, and empire renamed the horse
Sep 9
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Colin Gorrie
72
3
6
Medieval beach reads
How to read Middle English and Scots texts in the original
Aug 5
•
Colin Gorrie
204
25
14
Does your name belong in the Odyssey?
The ancient formula still alive in “Richard” and “Audrey”
Jul 29
•
Colin Gorrie
113
12
8
How to read Beowulf (and actually enjoy it)
It’s not really about the monsters
May 27
•
Colin Gorrie
203
15
28
The Canterbury Commute
Verses composed in Middle English while waiting for the 7:42 train
Apr 29
•
Colin Gorrie
190
31
10
Why you should read Sir Gawain and the Green Knight
This spring’s book club pick
Apr 15
•
Colin Gorrie
231
20
16
A bluffer’s guide to etymology
How to guess the age and origin of any English word
Apr 8
•
Colin Gorrie
162
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
253
19
26
Scots, English, and the linguistic uncanny valley
English’s fascination with its closest cousin
Jan 21
•
Colin Gorrie
194
35
15
The ancient poetic law that explains basically everything
From Sanskrit grammar to nursery rhymes
Aug 16, 2025
•
Colin Gorrie
237
18
23
Is Beowulf based on true events?
The real history behind the poem
Aug 13, 2025
•
Colin Gorrie
137
51
15
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