Henry Hitchings

Most of us know a bit about what passes for good manners - holding doors open, sending thank-you notes, no elbows on the table. We…

Ever wondered how some people seem to have an opinion on every book ever published? Nowadays, there are so many books: how can anyone be…

Communication is essential to our lives, but how often do we stop to think about where the words we use have come from? Have you…

By 1700, France and Italy already had dictionaries of their own, and it became a matter of national pride that England should rival them. Dr…

The English language is a battlefield. Since the age of Shakespeare, arguments over correct usage have been acrimonious, and those involved have always really been…