Category Archives: Language

All in How You Spell ‘Em

Posted on October 14, 2021 by Nathan

I saw something recently about the difference between the words “fairy” and “faerie.” Really, there’s no difference; the latter is just an archaic spelling. The word comes from the French for “fate,” and therefore “enchantment”; and was applied to many different … Continue reading →

Posted in Authors, British, Celtic, Discworld, Etymology, Greek Mythology, J.R.R. Tolkien, L. Frank Baum, Language, Magic, Mythology, Norse, Oz, Oz Authors, Ruth Plumly Thompson, Terry Pratchett | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Born Under a Bad Sign with a Blue Moon in Your Eyes

Posted on October 11, 2021 by Nathan

The Sopranos – WARNING! SPOILERS! I’ve seen headlines recently that a lot of young people have started watching this show. Beth and I just finished watching it recently, but I don’t think we count as young people anymore. I didn’t … Continue reading →

Posted in Families, Food, Language, Music, Prejudice, Relationships, Television, VoVat Goes to the Movies | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Right City, Wrong World

Posted on October 1, 2021 by Nathan

One interesting aspect to Philip Jose Farmer’s A Barnstormer in Oz is his indication that the human inhabitants of Oz are descended from people who arrived there from our world, mostly Goths but also Celts and Native Americans. This sort … Continue reading →

Posted in Authors, C.S. Lewis, Cartoons, Characters, Chronicles of Narnia, Donkey Kong, L. Frank Baum, Language, Mario, Oz, Oz Authors, Places, Prejudice, Ruth Plumly Thompson, Super Mario Bros. Super Show, Television, Video Games | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

The Plane Truth

Posted on September 28, 2021 by Nathan

A Barnstormer in Oz, or A Rationalization and Extrapolation of the Split-Level Continuum, by Philip Jose Farmer – SPOILERS! I watched a discussion of this book as part of the last virtual OzCon, and I’d considered reading it earlier, so … Continue reading →

Posted in Animals, Book Reviews, Characters, Conspiracy Theories, L. Frank Baum, Language, Magic, Oz, Oz Authors, Sexuality | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

Shave and a Haircut, Two Squits

Posted on August 25, 2021 by Nathan

Jenny Jump might well be the foremost stylist in Oz, but there are other mentions of hairstyling being a thing in Oz even before her arrival, if perhaps less creative. There’s a pun in The Patchwork Girl of Oz when Bungle … Continue reading →

Posted in Animals, Characters, Edward Einhorn, Etymology, Humor, Jack Snow, John R. Neill, L. Frank Baum, Language, Oz, Oz Authors, Places, Ruth Plumly Thompson | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Nunquam Domum Relinquo

Posted on July 23, 2021 by Nathan

I’ve been listening to some relatively new music recently, so here are a few thoughts: Kim Boekbinder, Split the Light – This album is a collection of songs based on all the colors of the rainbow. It’s not a totally … Continue reading →

Posted in Albums, Humor, Language, Music, Politics, They Might Be Giants, Tori Amos | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

We’re on a Road to Numenor

Posted on July 3, 2021 by Nathan

The Desolations of Devil’s Acre, by Ransom Riggs – The sixth and final (at least for now) book in the Miss Peregrine’s Peculiar Children series takes place when the resurrected Caul, Miss Peregrine’s evil brother, is using his power to … Continue reading →

Posted in Authors, Book Reviews, C.S. Lewis, Humor, J.R.R. Tolkien, Language, Magic, Mythology, Punch-Out, Street Fighter, Television, Video Games | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

The Sins of Silver Island

Posted on June 23, 2021 by Nathan

The Royal Book of Oz, by Ruth Plumly Thompson – I’d gotten into the habit a few years ago of starting to reread the hundredth-anniversary Oz book around L. Frank Baum’s birthday, 15 May. Since the last one was published … Continue reading →

Posted in Animals, Book Reviews, Characters, Families, History, Humor, Japan, L. Frank Baum, Language, Magic, Magic Items, Oz, Oz Authors, Places, Prejudice, Ruth Plumly Thompson | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Drainpipes and Dragons

Posted on June 17, 2021 by Nathan

Dragons are a mainstay of fantasy fiction, and of course have appeared in a number of video games. Even Metroid has them, and that series is more science fiction than fantasy. Dragons in the Super Mario universe in particular are … Continue reading →

Posted in Animals, Biology, Cartoons, Chinese, Final Fantasy, Japanese, Language, Magic, Mario, Metroid, Monsters, Mythology, Names, Science, Semitic, Television, Video Games | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

Let Sleeping Lines Ley

Posted on May 6, 2021 by Nathan

Something I’ve seen mention of occasionally but didn’t really know a lot about was the concept of ley lines, which are basically invisible lines that connect significant places. Alfred Watkins, a businessman who dabbled in antiquity, came up with the … Continue reading →

Posted in Authors, Celtic, Conspiracy Theories, Final Fantasy, History, J.R.R. Tolkien, Language, Magic, Maps, Mythology, Video Games | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments