Vocabulary.com Blog Contributor
Adam Cooper
Adam Cooper studied linguistics at Brandeis University and The University of Chicago. Since 2010, he has been working with The Endangered Language Alliance in New York City on documentation and preservation projects.
Word RoutesExploring the pathways of our lexicon
What is Nog, Anyway?
Considering the Meaning of Holiday Words
Too often during this time of year, we can lose sight of the meaning in what it is we are doing. In the spirit of discovering the new in things we thought we understood, some familiar holiday words are explored.
Continue reading...
With the new Star Wars movie Rogue One opening today, it's a fitting moment to look at how the meaning of rogue has evolved over the years, from one who is deceitful and worthless to today's connotation of the charming scoundrel.
Continue reading...
Word CountWriters Talk About Writing
The Etymology of Emolument
An Obscure Law and the Crucial Role of an Obscure Word
One of the controversies surrounding President-elect Trump has been the separation (or lack thereof) between his previous life as a businessman and his future career as president. Yet the Constitution prohibits him from accepting any emolument. The soon-to-be president's actions may be limited by this word, so let's examine it in detail.
Continue reading...
After her defeat in the presidential election by Donald Trump, Hillary Clinton delivered her concession speech on November 9, 2016. Concession speeches are an occasion for the losing candidate to bow out gracefully and to show the maturity it takes to accept defeat. Like those who have conceded or merely said farewell before her, Hillary Clinton's concession was a summation of a public life, with a dash of personal reflection and a vow to keep on fighting.
Continue reading...
Donald J. Trump, newly elected President, delivered a speech in the early morning hours of November 9, 2016 to celebrate his victory and thank his supporters. In contrast to much of his campaign rhetoric, these remarks sought to reach out to former adversaries and heal old wounds. Comparing the poetic language of Barack Obama's 2012 victory speech with the comparatively plain-spoken language of President-elect Trump's address gives us a window into two very different ways to accomplish many of the same goals.
Continue reading...
Word CountWriters Talk About Writing
Harry Potter and the Discombobulated Description
Studying The Cursed Child characters through the lens of one word
The spells are quite witty, but they aren't the only examples of wordplay in the Harry Potter universe. In the Potter novels J. K. Rowling uses vocabulary that has made her characters living creatures to generations of readers. This tradition continues in Harry Potter and the Cursed Child.
Continue reading...
The final Presidential Debate of this campaign season took place on October 19th in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Continue reading...
Sign up now (it’s free!)
Whether you’re a teacher or a learner,
Vocabulary.com can put you or your class
on the path to systematic vocabulary improvement.