| Please
note that these links open in a new window
Words are fascinating! Here are some of the sites
I consult on a regular basis. |
Visual
Thesaurus
Difficult to describe the visual journey through
words and their synonyms and antonyms. Has to be
seen to be enjoyed.
Crossword
Solver
Very useful when you know some letters,
but are stil stuck.
World
Wide Words
An excellent site giving the etymology of abracadabra
(always a favourite of mine) to zorbing.
I know I like words, but this a must see.
Wordsmith's
Anagram Server
Handy for anagram puzzles or just for fun, finding
anagrams of the names of family and friends. The
Anagram
Genius lets you generate them online or download
their free
program.
Crossword
Answers
Online help to find that elusive solution. Also
list the available online
crosswords.
The
Internet Grammar of English
An online course in English grammar written for
anyone who is interested in the English language.
Alternatively, try the Grammar
Guide
An online guide to correct grammar with self-assessment
tests.
Apostrophe
Protection Society
Why is it that people find apostrophes so difficult
to use? There are only three basic rules! If you
still can't work it out, try the Writing
Lab. Commas
are trickier!
New
Words in English
Neologisms and new uses for old words.
Better
English
Why is it that the best English sites are American?
Lipograms
Written works that avoids a certain letter, usually
the 'e' as above.
Bartleby
Brilliant site full online literature, verse and
quotations.
Acronyms
A pretty good searchable database of obscure acronyms.
Invaluable in a jargon filled world.
|
English
Language Trivia
Word
Spy
Devoted to recently coined words and phrases, old
words that are being used in new ways, and existing
words that have enjoyed a recent renaissance.
Glossarist
A searchable glossary directory of the useful (scientific
terms) and humorous (dictionary
of legal definitions) to the downright obscure
(fresh
water mussels of the Midwest!)
Quotations
A database of over 15,000 quotations or try the quotation
machine. Amusing
quotes has the witty variety, and also try the
words of wisdom by George
'Dubya'.
The
Phrase Finder
A list of the meanings and origins of over 1,000 phases
and sayings.
Online
Etymology Dictionary
The derivation of over 30,000 words. Test your knowledge
at Etymologic.
What's the Meaning of This?
A Rootsweb hosted site of the origins of words and
phrases, with both Olde
English and Amerispeak
sections.
Fewer
or Less?
For me, one of the more arcane rules of grammar! Test
yourself.
Free
Translation
Online service translating Spanish, French, German,
Italian, Dutch, Portuguese, Norwegian and both simplified
and traditional Chinese. Not perfect, but hey, it's
a machine!
International
House of Logorrhea
A collection of over 14,000 rare or obscure words.
See also Lost
Words, 400 words that have died out and appear
nowhere else on the web.
The
Underground Grammarian
The works of Richard Mitchell who died in 2002, but
whose life's work was the protection of the English
language. |