Jack Shepherd – Medium

Jack Shepherd

Published in
Cellar Door

A Watch of Nightingales: The Origin Story of Collective Terms for Animals

Plus, some truly delightful collective terms for people, from a “rascal of boys” to a “superfluity of nuns.”

Dec 2

A Watch of Nightingales: The Origin Story of Collective Terms for Animals

Dec 2

Published in
Cellar Door

The Surprising Origins of Some Very Famous Pen Names

Or, why Lewis Carroll was almost called Edgar Cuthwellis.

Nov 20

The Surprising Origins of Some Very Famous Pen Names

Nov 20

Published in
Cellar Door

This Is What the Meaning of “Is Is” Is

The strange and fascinating conundrum of Is-Is-ification.

Oct 2

This Is What the Meaning of “Is Is” Is

Oct 2

Published in
Cellar Door

Three Common Names That Were Just Made Up By Authors

Plus, the heartbreaking origin of “Wendy.”

Sep 20

Three Common Names That Were Just Made Up By Authors

Sep 20

Published in
Cellar Door

A Few Thoughts on the Salad Salad Situation

Or, how to win someone over with your cheeky opinions about “reduplication.”

Sep 11

A Few Thoughts on the Salad Salad Situation

Sep 11

Published in
Cellar Door

OK, ok, O.K., okay, Ok! Which is it?

And what does it even mean?! A brief celebration of the most common word no one knows how to spell.

Jun 14

A text message reading “Cool, see you there!” with the response, “K”

Jun 14

Published in
Cellar Door

Wordle Starter Words for Dangerous Troublemakers

Let’s see if we can make Wordlebot cry.

Apr 3

A Wordlebot grid with the words: SNASH / FEEZE / OUPHE

Apr 3

Published in
Cellar Door

The Bewitching Magic of the “Ass” Intensifier

An ode to the anal emphatic.

Mar 14

The Bewitching Magic of the “Ass” Intensifier

Mar 14

Published in
Cellar Door

What to Do When You’ve “Got the Morbs”

“Got the morbs” shows up to delight us every couple of years, but the dictionary where it comes from is a treasure trove.

Mar 6

What to Do When You’ve “Got the Morbs”

Mar 6

Published in
Cellar Door

These Common Words Are the Result of a Hilarious Misunderstanding

I’m calling them “Splittybits.” Arrest me if you want to.

Feb 15

These Common Words Are the Result of a Hilarious Misunderstanding

Feb 15

Jack Shepherd

Jack Shepherd

I have a newsletter about crossword puzzles and a podcast about rom-coms. Formerly editorial director @BuzzFeed. Email: JackAShepherd at gmail

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