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Euphemism epidemic
Euphemisms (from the Greek euphēmismos, meaning ‘speaking well’) are words or phrases used as softer or less direct substitutes for expressions deemed to be too harsh, blunt, embarrassing or offensive. …
Moronic? Try a mnemonic!
The word ‘mnemonic’ is one of around 150,00 words of Greek origin – from air to zoo – that have found their way into English, a language with more borrowed …
Rebuker
Somewhat after Daphne du Maurier (1907-1989) Last night I dreamt I went to Blaenllechau again…I came upon it suddenly; the approach masked by serried ranks of terraced housing on the …
The writing on the wall
1 Will Rees was walking his dog early in the morning when he came across Val in the local park. She was lying in a pool of blood on a …
An ill wind
1 “It’s a beautiful day, there’s not a cloud in the sky, let’s go wild swimming!” David wasn’t really in the mood. They had agreed on having a rare off-grid …
Blackweir Pastures
Somewhat after Binsey Poplars by Gerard Manley Hopkins (1844-1889) BLACKWEIR PASTURESDesecrated 2025 These meadows dear, whose airy spaces calmed,Calmed and soothed with peace the urban blight,All harmed, harmed are all …
Double take
As the train approached, Billy couldn’t help but notice a peculiar old man on the opposite platform. He was dishevelled, scrawny and bashed about, a few wisps of tangled white …
Finding Tipperary
2015 “Richie, can you do me a favour?” “Of course sweetheart, what is it?” “When you’ve got time, could you look at my uncle’s manuscript? It’s 200 pages long and …
Don’t let the British get you down
In memory of Kris Kristofferson (1936-2024), a genuinely great American ♫♫ They’re killing Cymru to enforce a fiefdom,Keep us as a cringing colony,A desecrated land of holiday lets and second …
Cardiff Shame
With apologies to Noel Coward (1899-1973) ♫ To the tune of London Pride ♫ Cardiff shame has been foisted onto us.Cardiff shame’s in the foul air we breathe.Cardiff shame means …