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Jack Shepherd

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Cellar Door

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Jack Shepherd

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Mar 3

37 Ways To Tell Someone They’re Full Of It

And a few ways to puff yourself up while you’re at it.

37 Ways To Tell Someone They’re Full Of It

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Cellar Door

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Jack Shepherd

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Feb 3

These Common Animals Have Some Very Cool Alter Egos

A brief celebration of the humble arse-foot and some of her assorted pals.

These Common Animals Have Some Very Cool Alter Egos

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Cellar Door

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Jack Shepherd

·

Jan 26

When I Found Out This Positive Adjective Was Originally a Comparative, I Was SHOOK

And you won’t BELIEVE what the superlative is!

When I Found Out This Positive Adjective Was Originally a Comparative, I Was SHOOK

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Cellar Door

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Jack Shepherd

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Jan 20

The Definitive Ranking of Forgotten Microsoft Office Assistants (Excluding Clippy)

Also, Clippy is not his name.

The Definitive Ranking of Forgotten Microsoft Office Assistants (Excluding Clippy)

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Cellar Door

by

Jack Shepherd

·

Jan 12

Spooner Mixed Up More Than His Words

On “spoonerisms,” going viral in the 19th century, and the curious life of Reverend William Archibald Spooner.

Don’t pet the sweaty things.

In

Cellar Door

by

Jack Shepherd

·

May 12, 2025

5 Preposterous Words That Wordle Will Actually Accept as Valid

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

5 Preposterous Words That Wordle Will Actually Accept as Valid

In

Cellar Door

by

Jack Shepherd

·

Dec 2, 2024

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.”

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

In

Cellar Door

by

Jack Shepherd

·

Nov 20, 2024

The Surprising Origins of Some Very Famous Pen Names

Or, why Lewis Carroll was almost called Edgar Cuthwellis.

The Surprising Origins of Some Very Famous Pen Names

In

Cellar Door

by

Jack Shepherd

·

Oct 2, 2024

This Is What the Meaning of “Is Is” Is

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

This Is What the Meaning of “Is Is” Is

In

Cellar Door

by

Jack Shepherd

·

Sep 20, 2024

Three Common Names That Were Just Made Up By Authors

Plus, the heartbreaking origin of “Wendy.”

Three Common Names That Were Just Made Up By Authors

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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