Jack Shepherd – Medium

Jack Shepherd

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Cellar Door

5 Preposterous Words That Wordle Will Actually Accept as Valid

New starter word: “Sloom.” They can’t stop you!

May 12

5 Preposterous Words That Wordle Will Actually Accept as Valid

May 12

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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, 2024

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

Dec 2, 2024

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Cellar Door

The Surprising Origins of Some Very Famous Pen Names

Or, why Lewis Carroll was almost called Edgar Cuthwellis.

Nov 20, 2024

The Surprising Origins of Some Very Famous Pen Names

Nov 20, 2024

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Cellar Door

This Is What the Meaning of “Is Is” Is

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

Oct 2, 2024

This Is What the Meaning of “Is Is” Is

Oct 2, 2024

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Cellar Door

Three Common Names That Were Just Made Up By Authors

Plus, the heartbreaking origin of “Wendy.”

Sep 20, 2024

Three Common Names That Were Just Made Up By Authors

Sep 20, 2024

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Cellar Door

A Few Thoughts on the Salad Salad Situation

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

Sep 11, 2024

A Few Thoughts on the Salad Salad Situation

Sep 11, 2024

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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, 2024

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

Jun 14, 2024

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Cellar Door

Wordle Starter Words for Dangerous Troublemakers

Let’s see if we can make Wordlebot cry.

Apr 3, 2024

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

Apr 3, 2024

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Cellar Door

The Bewitching Magic of the “Ass” Intensifier

An ode to the anal emphatic.

Mar 14, 2024

The Bewitching Magic of the “Ass” Intensifier

Mar 14, 2024

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, 2024

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

Mar 6, 2024

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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