Why is the language called English?  Where did it come from?  

A look at some words and expressions that we might be surprised to find have their origins in war

A look at some amusing or puzzling or downright annoying aspects of English – some of those purely ornamental plants, those  cottagey ones, those weeds and strange creepers that have taken root in the garden of English because the gardeners are only human, with all the ills - the capriciousness and weakness and vanity - that flesh is heir to.

A look at some playful aspects of English

A look at some English idioms to do with colour

A look at words and idioms in English from four of the world's oldest sports

As befits its origins in an island country with a language founded by seafaring invaders, with an empire that ruled the oceans for over two centuries, the English language has many words and idioms related to the sea.  I’ve chosen here some words we may be surprised to find telling us a tale of the sea and others with a history that satisfies my curiosity or delight.