Colour or Color—Which Is Correct?

• When choosing between color and colour, keep in mind that both spellings are correct.
• The shorter one, color, is the preferred spelling in the United States.
• The rest of the English-speaking world uses the longer form, colour.

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How do you spell color? You’ll see other writers do it two ways—the one we’ve already used in this sentence, and another one—colour. Neither of the spellings is wrong, and they both mean exactly the same thing. Still, the two spellings are slightly different, so there has to be something to it, right? Let’s see.

Difference Between Color and Colour

You might have noticed that there are other words with the same duality of spelling—words like “honor,” “traveling,” “favorite,” and the past tense of the verb “spell.” These variations in spelling exist because of differences between American English and British English. Color is the spelling used in the United States. Colour is used in other English-speaking countries.

The word color has its roots (unsurprisingly) in the Latin word color. It entered Middle English through the Anglo-Norman colur, which was a version of the Old French colour. The current difference in spelling between the American and British variants is credited to (or occasionally blamed on) Noah Webster, the American lexicographer. Seeking to establish American independence and identity in language, Webster implemented a number of spelling reforms in A Compendious Dictionary of the English Language, which he published in 1806.

Color or Colour—Which Spelling Should You Use?

There are a couple of ways you can choose which spelling to use. You can, for example, choose the spelling that’s prevalent in the country you’re from—if you’re an American, use color. If you’re from any of the Commonwealth countries, use colour. If English is not your first language, use the spelling you were taught.

You can also choose to conform to the spelling that’s preferred by your audience. If you’re writing for Americans, use the spelling they prefer. If you’re writing something for Brits, Australians, or Canadians, use the spelling they prefer.

If you’re still not sure which to choose, or if you’re writing for an international audience, the best thing to do is choose one of the spellings and stick with it. In other words, choose consistency.

Examples of Color

The choice of Kaine is particularly glaring in light of the fact that people of color, especially African-Americans, hold the key to a Clinton victory.

The New York Times

These two types of pigment are eumelanin, which colors hair black or brown, and pheomelanin, which colors hair blonde or red.

Business Insider

Perhaps the color gray has finally found its match.

The Indianapolis Star

Examples of Colour

Out of 169 productions at this year’s festival, we could only find 14 that feature Indigenous performers and performers of colour.

CBC

The colour catches the eye.

The Telegraph

Purple was one of her favourite colours and her coffin was brought to the church in a horse drawn hearse with purple plumes on the horses.

Gloucestershire Live

Offence vs. Offense—What Is the Difference?

• Offence and offense are both correct.
• Offence is the spelling more commonly used outside of the United States.
• Offense is the spelling more commonly used in the United States.

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Offense is spelled differently based on where you, or your audience, are. But neither offense nor offence are wrong.

Offence vs. Offense—Which Is Correct?

In one sense, offense means an attack. But it also means an affront or insult. Offense can also be spelled offence. The difference is that offense is the standard spelling in the United States, while offence is standard in other English-speaking countries:

The team had troubles with their offense because they key player was injured.

No offense meant.

The offence was clearly much lighter than the punishment.

The adjective derived from offense, offensive, is spelled with an s in American and British English alike. It doesn’t have a version that’s spelled with c:

I found the comedian’s remarks about Her Majesty very offensive.

They could have won the game if they were more offensive.

It’s the same with the adverb offensively—it’s never spelled with a c:

He offensively prodded the air with two fingers, making a rude gesture.

Playing the game offensively isn’t always the best strategy.

Examples

Offensive in American Publications

It didn’t seem to be in a way that meant offense, but he seemed so accustomed to alcohol being at weddings that he was perplexed.

The Huffington Post

Cal quarterback Davis Webb paced the Golden Bears’ offense by completing 32 of his 48 pass attempts to finish with 301 yards and two touchdowns.

Los Angeles Times

Offence outside the US

Henry also declined to answer further questions yesterday after issuing a statement on Saturday night saying he “meant no offence” to the two women he spoke about to Bruce.

The New Zealand Herald

Mounties say drivers are sent an email that states they’ve committed a driving offence and a fine will be mailed to them.

Global News

And speaking of words spelled differently in American and British English, did you know that omelet (or omelette) is one of them? Catalog is another one—it can also be spelled catalogue. And benefitted can also be spelled with only one t—that’s how they do it in the United States.

Ernest Hemingway Liked to “Do It” Standing Up

I know it’s dirty and unconventional, but I liked to do it outside in college.

The first time was spring semester of my freshman year, and once I started I just couldn’t stop. Because I went school in Wisconsin, the passing of the seasons limited when I could indulge in the grassy common areas around campus — but when the weather was right I’d do it outdoors for hours. As a young, open-minded philosophy student, it didn’t take much to turn me on — to writing.

(Please take a moment to remove your mind from the gutter before continuing on…)

There is no wrong way to write: Maya Angelou wakes up early to do the deed. James Joyce, author of Ulysses and Finnegans Wake, wrote lying on his stomach in bed. Ernest Hemingway liked to do it standing up. Agatha Christie admits to munching on apples in the bathtub while mulling over murder plots. Victor Hugo wrote Les Misérables in his — ahem — birthday suit.

As we speak, there are thousands of writers participating in #NaNoWriMo, hundreds in #GrammoWrimo, and countless others putting pen to paper just for fun. During this month of literary abandon, hipsters are taking to the parks to clack away on vintage typewriters, novelists are grasping quill pens at dimly-lit mahogany desks, and travel writers are boarding trains and planes to rest their feet and recap new worlds. Writers are doing it everywhere, and (let’s face it) we love to watch.

So, whether you’re editing from your bed (colloquially known as bediting), co-authoring from the kitchen, journaling in a java house, or crafting prose from a yoga pose, we want to hear how you’re “doing it” this month. We’ve created a meme generator to help!

Share on Twitter or Facebook: Where does the magic happen for you?

Commas with Interrupters

Interrupters are little thoughts in the middle of a thought, added to show emotion, tone or emphasis. When we use an interrupter in the middle of a sentence, it should be emphasized with commas. This is because without the use of commas, the flow of the sentence may be awkward for the reader.

Interrupters are easily identified by saying the sentence out loud; you’ll naturally pause where the commas should be. Consider the examples below:

Queen Victoria was, as they say, a formidable woman.

The interrupter as they say needs a comma before and after it to separate it from the rest of the sentence. A few other examples of sentences including interrupters are listed below.

Having demonstrated a decided lack of ethics, the CEO was, needless to say, dismissed from the company.

Teachers do, in fact, change lives.

Names can also be interrupters. See the following sentences for reference.

What, Susan, do you think?

Now, where do you suppose, Davey, your shoes might have gone this time?

Other common interrupters include to say the least, however, generally speaking, sadly, happily, and unfortunately.

Modal Verbs–Definition and Usage

Modal verbs are auxiliary verbs (also called helping verbs) like can, will, could, shall, must, would, might, and should. After a modal verb, the root form of a verb is generally used. The word to should not appear after a modal verb. An exception is the phrase ought to, which is considered a modal verb.

Modal verbs add meaning to the main verb in a sentence by expressing possibility, ability, permission, or obligation.

You must turn in your assignment on time.

He might be the love of my life.

The doctor can see you now.

When a modal verb precedes the main verb in a sentence or clause, use the root of the verb rather than the infinitive, which contains the word to.

The doctor can to see you now.

The one case in which we deviate from this rule and use the full infinitive form of a verb is with the modal phrase “ought to”

The doctor ought to see you now. (You’ve waited long enough.)

To Do as a Modal Verb

The verb to do can be used as a modal verb or a main verb. In this sentence, to do is being used as a main verb and can is being used as a modal verb.

You can do it.

Whereas in this example, do is used as a modal verb.

You do know how to sing!

Remember, however, that do can be used as a modal verb only if there is no other modal verb present in the sentence.

Thank you, I can do sing.

Thank you, I do sing.

Thank you, I can sing.

What Is Comradery?

• Comradery is a spirit of friendship and community between two people or a group of people.
• Camaraderie is the more popular spelling, but comradery is an acceptable alternate.

Comradery is easy to find among the members of a winning team. Victorious teammates might high-five each other and recount the highlights of the game. Success creates a bond for the players that often continues off the court. But what is happening on the opposite side of the court? You may notice the defeated team going through a comradery ritual of their own. Instead of celebrating, they might be consoling one another and commending each other for trying their best. What is comradery?

Comradery or Camaraderie

You might already be wondering whether comradery is the same as camaraderie, so let’s address that issue first. Camaraderie came to English from French around 1835. In French, camarade was the word for a roommate or a companion. It you trace camarade back further, you will find that French got it from Old Spanish, which borrowed it from Latin! Camera is the Latin term for chamber, a room where you sleep or spend a lot of time. What about comradery? It came from comrade, a derivative of the the same Middle French word that inspired camaraderie. Around 1879, some writers (no doubt influenced by the pattern established by words like citizenry) began adding the -ry suffix to comrade to form comradery.

The next question is, which one is right? Camaraderie? Comradery? Is one way of writing the word more correct than the other spelling? Dictionaries list both spellings, so they are both correct. However, if you look at the frequency of use for each word, you will find that camaraderie is more than forty times as common as comradery in print sources. Which form you choose depends on your preference, but you should take your audience into consideration. Which spelling will be the most familiar or understandable for them?

Be careful of misspellings. It’s easy to confuse the two forms if you are not careful. The most common wrong spellings on the web are mishmashes of the two correct spellings:

comaraderie, comraderie, comrodery, cameradery

The Pronunciation of Comradery

Camaraderie sounds like kahm-rah-duh-ree. Some speakers pronounce comradery as kom-rad-ree. Therefore, though camaraderie and comradery are interchangeable in meaning, transcriptionists must write the version used by the speaker. They must listen carefully to the vowels and number of syllables to distinguish comradery from camaraderie.

Comradery Definition and Meaning

There’s no difference in the meaning of camaraderie and comradery. Comradery is a spirit of friendship and community between two people or a group of people. The memberse of the group are comfortable around each other, and they support each other. This word is often applied to sports teams or to groups of soldiers. Let’s learn from some quotes about team comradery.

Examples of Team Comradery

The girls are all talking and laughing, trying to get pumped up and for just one small sliver of a moment, I stop. Taking it all in because this is something I’ve really missed over the last year. The comradery of a team. The sisterhood of hockey players. Girls who have your back. —Jennifer Sucevic, Stay

It’s comradery, it’s team building, it’s fun to come out here and just push yourself to the limit. The proceeds stay local and people know it and and people come out and push themselves. —WIVB.com

I loved the world of roller derby because I thought it was such an empowering metaphor, that you get out there and do it. It’s such a rocker, athletic, capable, cool exhibitionist sport; it’s about this great sort of camaraderie. — Drew Barrymore

Other Instances of Comradery

The silence that falls between them is a comfortable one. He longs to reach over and touch her, but he resists, fearful of destroying the delicate camaraderie they are building. He steals glances instead, watching the way the light falls over her skin. —Erin Morgenstern, The Night Circus

This good fellowship—camaraderie—usually occurring through the similarity of pursuits is unfortunately seldom super-added to love between the sexes, because men and women associate, not in their labors but in their pleasures merely. —Thomas Hardy, Far from the Madding Crowd

Political Definition and Usage of Comradery

As you learned earlier, comradery derives from comrade. A comrade is a fellow member of a group, an associate, or a person who does the same activities that you do. However, around the nineteenth century, members of the Communist party began to refer to each other as comrades. According to an article in the South China Morning Post, “consolidation among party members and . . . the idea of equality” were the characteristics of the term that attracted the attention of the Communist Party. Today, comrade may carry a political connotation—in particular, it may imply that someone has extremely leftist views on issues. However, the same connotation doesn’t necessarily carry over to the use of comradery, unless the context suggests a political affiliation. Here are some quotes featuring comrade from popular media sources:

China Seeks to Improve Ties With ‘Comrade’ Vietnam” —The Wall Street Journal

At the [White House Correspondents’ Dinner], Obama played on that comparison, calling Sanders his “comrade,” a term often associated with the communist Soviet Union. —Bustle

Air show pilots performed an aerial salute Saturday to their comrade who died after his World War II-era plane crashed in the Hudson River between New York and New Jersey a day earlier. —NBCNewYork.com

How to Use Comradery

Now that you’ve seen how writers use it, how can you use comradery in a sentence? Comradery is a noun, so it can be the subject or the object of the sentence.

Comradery is what kept the coworkers on good terms during a challenging work assignment.

Soldiers who have fought together against a common enemy form a comradery that is like no other feeling in the world.

What about making the noun plural? Comradery and camaraderie are noncount nouns, so you can’t make them plural by adding an S. They don’t have plural forms.

After ten years of marriage, there was great comradery between the husband and wife.

A little bit of camaraderie goes a long way.

Camaraderie/Comradery Synonyms

What words are like comradery? Studying them can help you get a deeper understanding of what it really means. Notice how these near synonyms relate to comradery:

• Bonhomie, like camaraderie, has French origins. Bon means good and homme means man. Bonhomie is a good-natured, friendly manner.
• A brotherhood is a group of people engaged in the same trade or who have the same qualities or interests. It also refers to fellowship.
• Conviviality is friendliness or agreeableness.
• Companionship is fellowship, especially the type of fellowship that comes from being in the company of someone else.
• Comradeship is a sense of friendship with others who share the same goals.
• Friendship is an intimate or friendly relationship.
• Intimacy is a close bond with another person, often accompanied by feelings of affection and familiarity.
• Togetherness is warm fellowship.

Camaraderie/Comradery Antonyms

On the other side of the coin, antonyms show you what comradery is not. The list includes some pretty gloomy words that should help you appreciate the positivity of comradery. Here are the top four opposites.

• Bad blood is an idiomatic expression that refers to bitter feelings between two people or groups.
• Dislike is a feeling of antagonism or hatred for someone.
• Forlornness is a feeling of isolation and alienation.
• Loneliness is a feeling of solitude and isolation.
• Lonesomeness is a painful feeling of solitariness, depression, or sadness caused by a lack of companionship.

Comradery vs. Morale

Another term you hear associated with teams, groups, and the military is morale. What is the relationship between comradery and morale? Morale is the general emotion or mental state of the members of a group. Low morale would indicate that the individuals in the group have low spirits. They might feel discouraged, depressed, or sad. High morale means that individuals are feeling well and happy. If comradery is absent, morale is likely to be low. Travis Valentine, a blogger, explains: “Low morale isn’t ideal, but the negative effects it has can be overcome with good camaraderie because good camaraderie can’t be beat.” Do you see the relation?

For a sports team, a sense of comradery and morale is highest while celebrating a win. However, a defeat can also draw a team closer together. Because soldiers spend a lot of time in each other’s company and go through intense experiences together, they often develop lifelong friendships characterized by goodwill and friendliness. Any group that spends a lot of time pursuing a common goal can cultivate the quality of comradery.

Comradery is an alternate spelling of camaraderie that carries the same meaning of friendly intimacy among members of a group. To use the term properly, you will have to remember that it’s a non-count noun. Learning so much about comradery places you among a select few who know its origins. So if you see comradery properly used in writing, you may feel an instant bond with the author!

Not-So-Sweet 16: Email Autonotification Hell vs. Should’ve Messaged

The Not-So-Sweet 16 rages on with this set of obnoxious inbox-stuffers. Which bothers you more, autonotification emails, or emails from coworkers who should have messaged you elsewhere? Honestly, we don’t love either.

Ready to vote to determine the next round of March MADness? We know we are!

Autonotification Email Hell

Autonotifications are sent automatically when someone updates a task, project, or chat. In the best-case scenario, these autonotifications can be batched, but usually your inbox gets swamped by minor updates to various channels. Is it really necessary to know that someone left a chat? Rarely.

When They Should’ve Messaged

If there is an important or time-sensitive issue that the team needs to see, an email-only approach can be a disaster. For these questions, even checking your email twice a day is not enough. You’ll miss the boat. What’s worse is that emails can get pushed down deep into the inbox, making it even more difficult to reply promptly.

These words may sound similar, but they have very different meanings.

Conscience and conscious sound very similar and are often misused. For example, you might have heard someone say that they have something “on their conscious” when they actually mean “on their conscience.”

Conscience is a moral sense of right and wrong: My conscience is telling me that I must confess to the crime.

Conscious means aware, alert, or awake: I was conscious of a change in the weather.

Shall I Compare Thee to a Summer’s Day?

It’s that time of year again. The days grow longer and the sunshine is determined to scorch. The parks fill up with children while picnics spread out in red and white gingham patches. The dog begs to go outside as we put away our heavy coats, hanging them neatly in closets. Long pants give way to shorts as coconut-scented oils fill the air with their perfume. It’s summer.

What phrases and books best evoke those fiery months? If someone bottled the essence of this golden growing season, what would it look like? It’s difficult to choose the best summer words, but let’s look at a few of our current contenders. Some are old, some are new, and some might surprise you.

Shakespeare: It’s impossible for me to think of summer without the Bard showing up. Sonnet 18, in addition to being the perfect love poem, encapsulates the summer months with unequaled, poetic grace. “Sometime too hot the eye of heaven shines, / And often is his gold complexion dimm’d; / And every fair from fair sometime declines.” Could there be a better description of the summer sun as it pales in comparison to the author’s love? Shakespeare’s poetic brilliance reminds the reader to appreciate each golden day. “Summer’s lease hath all too short a date.” Summer won’t last, so enjoy it now.

Dandelion Wine: Arguably Ray Bradbury’s most famous book, Dandelion Wine reflects the beauty of summer like a calm blue lake reflects the sky. With star-bright passages that shimmer off the page, it is impossible to read the novel without traveling back to the best summers of our youth. Bradbury’s masterpiece is crafted of short vignettes, all centered on the Spaulding family and their summer rituals. Do yourself a favor and make it your own yearly ritual. Read it during those first June days, or in July, and you’ll be well equipped for the months to follow. “Bees do have a smell, you know, and if they don’t they should, for their feet are dusted with spices from a million flowers.”

Nora Roberts: Roberts’ volumes fly off the bookstore shelves and seem to fit the profile of perfect summer reading material. The engaging plots, interesting characters, and heavy romance can quickly tick away the hot hours of July. And Roberts is no stranger to writing about summer. She whipped this one up, and it’s spot on: “There was nothing like a Saturday – unless it was the Saturday leading up to the last week of school and into summer vacation. That of course was all the Saturdays of your life rolled into one big shiny ball.”

Tuck Everlasting: Summer is a wonderful time to reacquaint yourself with those beautiful books from your childhood. Natalie Babbitt’s tale of immortality and the dangers it poses offers this sparkling gem about summer: “The first week of August hangs at the very top of summer, the top of the live-long year, like the highest seat of a Ferris wheel when it pauses in its turning. The weeks that come before are only a climb from balmy spring, and those that follow a drop to the chill of autumn, but the first week of August is motionless, and hot. It is curiously silent, too, with blank white dawns and glaring noons, and sunsets smeared with too much color.”

Passages that reference the summer season dot the literary landscape like wildflowers. The warmer months are a time of complex joys and freedoms, mixed in with sweat and hotdogs. Some of the greatest writers have tried to snare that magic onto a page. Henry James captured it most simply: “Summer afternoon – Summer afternoon… the two most beautiful words in the English language.”

Can you think of a better way to sing the praises of summer? Share in the comments.

English Words from Around the World

The vocabulary of modern English owes a lot of its richness to borrowing words from other languages, but it borrows from some languages much more than others. We have only one word of Finnish origin in common use, but it’s a good one. Sauna, a direct import from Finland, pulls double-duty as our word for a relaxing steam bath and as the perfect way to describe gloriously hot, humid summer days. Here are some other great words with international origins:

Orange

Which came first: the color or the fruit? In English, believe it or not, it was the fruit. The word first appeared in English at the end of the fourteenth century, around the time the fruit was making its way into western Europe. Like so many other words, orange entered English by way of French, but the roots of the word stretch back to the Dravidian languages of southern India. It took another 150 years or so after the first introduction of orange for it to become the word for the color, too. Before then, the English-speaking world had to make do with saying yellow-red or red-yellow. Ever wonder why we call someone with orange hair a redhead? If orange had come along earlier, perhaps today we would call them “orangeheads” instead. Well, maybe not . . .

Disaster

Students of Latin or Greek can probably decipher the original meaning of disaster by looking at its roots: dis- (negative, bad, not) and astrum (star). Long ago, it was commonly believed that the position of stars and planets directly affected our daily lives here on earth. So a sudden calamity or misfortune was often blamed on the influence of a “bad star.”

Zombie

We can thank the folklore of Haiti and the West Indies for contributing one of the most terrifying and popular creatures in the modern horror genre: the zombie. But the origins of zombie may not have been so scary. The word can be traced back to West Africa, and possibly derives from a Kongo word meaning “god.”

Ketchup

Ketchup wasn’t always a tomato-based condiment. Once upon a time, mushrooms were the main ingredient. In fact ketchup isn’t always even ketchup. If you live in the southern United States, you may spell it catsup. The etymology is murky, but the word seems to descend from a word meaning “pickled fish brine” in the Amoy dialect of southeast China. The word may have made its way into English after entering Malay as kēchap.

Algebra

The prefix al- offers a clue about the origins of this word. Like alchemy, alcohol, alcove, and almanac, algebra is a descendant of Arabic (al is the definite article in Arabic, like the in English). Algebra is a combination of al- and jabr, meaning “the restoration of broken parts.” Algebra appeared occasionally in Middle English as a medical word, specifically in relation to fractured bones, but this meaning was quickly overtaken by the mathematical one.

What interesting word origin stories do you know? Let us know in the comment section or via our Facebook or Twitter feeds.

According to our Facebook friends, learning grammar in school is important

It seems that people not only care about using grammar, but also about using it correctly. 

(Photo source: http://www.etsy.com/listing/104421575/notebook-dear-people-of-the-world)

On Monday, we ran an informal poll on our Facebook page. After a recent article in the Huffington post discussing an increased demand for grammar study in education, we asked our followers: “Do you think studying grammar in school is important?” The results were unsurprising, but overwhelmingly one-sided. Of the three options (Yes, No, and No opinion), 98.6% of voters said that grammar study was important.

Naturally, we understand that our Facebook community is not a representative sample of the population. Many people who “like” our Facebook page and who saw the poll are interested in English grammar and therefore are more likely to think that studying it is important. What is interesting is how overwhelmingly people seemed to agree that grammar study in school is valuable.

What do you think, should grammar be taught more in schools?

5 Tips On How to Choose Your Blog Name

Guest post by Yohana Petrovic

So, you’ve decided to start your own blog! But before you can start writing and engaging with your readers, there is one hurdle that you have to jump: giving your blog a name. Choosing the best title for your blog is a very tricky thing.

Your blog’s name is its first claim to fame. As a starting blogger, your blog’s name is the make-or-break, the read or no-read, the click or no-click. It needs to be intriguing enough to compel an average browser to visit and start reading your posts.

To help you out, here are five tips on how you can come up with an attention-grabbing, click-begetting, and follower-attracting blog title:

 

1. What is your blog about?

Your blog name has two jobs. The first is to catch the reader’s attention, and the second is to tell your readers what they are in for when they visit your blog. Take note that it is an and situation and not an either/or situation. Your blog name should be able to do both of these jobs. If your blog is about cooking, then your blog title shouldn’t sound like it’s about shopping.

Next steps: Think about what your blog is going to be about. Will it be a travel blog? Are you going to talk about your carpentry projects? Will you be showing your readers different sewing techniques? Will you be cooking a different recipe every day? Will your blog be about your normal daily life? Once you’re clear on what your blog will be about, then you’re halfway to coming up with your blog name.

 

2. Make the Thesaurus your best friend

Wordplay is such a wonderful thing. You can use fancy words to describe simple concepts, or even make up your own words by splitting and condensing two or three words together. Sure, you can use generic and well-known words in your blog name, but it’s either already being done or it’s boring. Besides, where is the fun in naming a blog about solo traveling “The Solo Traveler?”

Next steps: Once you’ve determined what your blog is about, you can start listing all the words associated to it. Grab your Thesaurus (or, you know, Google synonyms) and try playing around with how certain relevant words sound together.

 

3. Decide on the tone of your blog

Tone is important; it is how you will “talk” in your blog. Your tone will determine what kind audience you will attract. This is why it is important to consider your blog’s tone when coming up with your blog name. For example, you would expect a blog entitled “The Fat Kid Inside” to be fun and informal. You wouldn’t expect the same from a blog with the title “Employee Incentives News.”

Next steps:  Consider how you talk. Is that how you’re planning to write on your blog? Consider your target audience. Are they the type who would appreciate a formal tone or an informal tone? Your blog title should reflect your tone to avoid confusion.

 

4. Research other blogs

Whatever blog you are thinking about starting, there is another one (or two or three or one hundred) that has already been published with a similar theme or topic. Embark on blog title market research. Remember, it is always good practice to learn more about what your potential audience finds relatable so you can name your blog accordingly.

Next steps: Check out blogs that are similar to what you want to do. Categorize them as successful or unsuccessful based on readership or followers. Then, compare the titles of the successful blogs versus the unsuccessful blogs. Try to see if there are similar aspects in the groups. Add the successful elements to your blog title and avoid the unsuccessful ones.

 

5. Memorability is a huge factor

Your blog name can be formal, informal, witty, funny, literary, or whatever you want it to be. The bottom line is that it should be memorable. You may have the wittiest, most beautiful blog title but if it is too complicated, or the letters don’t quite look right when placed together in a URL, then you are going to have a problem.

Next steps:  Once you have (semi-) decided on your blog name, write it together in small letters. Try to see if there are undesirable, shady, or unrelated words that would leap up when they are placed in a URL. You might need the help of someone else who is not involved in your creation process.

 

Best of luck! Share your favorite blog titles in the comments.

 

About the Author

Yohana Petrovic is a writer and blogger. She has 10 years of experience in education, and now she is a proofreader at http://globalessays.org. You can reach her on Facebook: Yohana Petrovic or on Twitter: @YohanaPetrovic

5 Creative Ways to Celebrate Mother’s Day

“It’s not how much we give,” said Mother Teresa, “but how much love we put into giving.” This statement is liberating and beautiful, but it sets a high standard on Mother’s Day. Buying Mom a blouse at the mall might be convenient, but creating a heartfelt gift with your own hands means more.

Mother’s Day is May 10. Check out these five creative ways to help Mom understand just what she means on her special day.

Make a Homemade Craft

Maybe in grade school you crafted a fruit bowl or papier-mâché sculpture for Mother’s Day. You can still make her something with your own hands. Not artistic? Not a problem. Check out these craft ideas:

• Make her a chocolate bouquet using a vase, cardstock, bamboo skewers, and tape. And, of course, chocolate.
• Create a personalized decoupage flower-pot using favorite family photos or floral prints. You’ll need a terra-cotta pot, Mod Podge, a brush, and your choice of photos or prints.
• Build a lovely necklace out of a washer. Apply scrapbook paper and Diamond Glaze to the washer, then adorn with a leather cord.
• If you’re feeling ambitious, visit the craft store and string your own special combination of beads on an elastic band. Try to incorporate at least three different types of beads—seed beads, faceted glass, chevrons, heishi discs—for the best look.

Make Homemade Beauty Products

Does your mother love the spa? If so, consider concocting your own version of department store beauty products at home. Whip up a handmade batch of bath fizzes by Martha Stewart, heart-shaped soaps by According to Kelly, or Neapolitan Ice Cream Body Scrub by Craftster.org. Keep Pinterest in mind, as well; this DIY site offers a never-ending supply of crafty recipes and ideas.

If making crafts isn’t your cup of tea, consider using pen and paper to create something special for Mom.

Write a Story Starring the Woman Herself

Does your mom enjoy reading? Do you have a flair for writing? If you answered yes to either of these questions, consider writing a story with Mom as the protagonist. True story, love story, crime story, fairy tale, a book of poetry—you decide. Just be sure to write Mom a happy ending.

You might even decide to self-publish your script. Printing a book costs less than you might expect, and here at Grammarly, we offer proofreading help for free.

Assemble a Photo Collage

Photo collages stir warm memories and touch Mom’s heart. Use the Internet resources to learn how to make Instagram photo strips, framed collages, and other gifts made from special photos. Whether you throw a few sentimental pics into a frame, fill an album with a visual timeline of family togetherness, or assemble your own family genealogy project, Mom will surely appreciate your efforts. So will the rest of the family.

Buy a Unique Gift

If you’re short on time or creativity, consider buying a unique gift for Mom made by someone else’s hands. We’re not talking about that photo print you spied at Wal-Mart. We’re talking about a one-of-a-kind piece of art, home decor, jewelry, or clothing.

The Internet boasts a treasure trove of online sellers with unique wares. Of course, there’s always Etsy, but consider these alternatives:

• ArtFire.com: Find homemade goods, art, and vintage products here.

• MadeItMyself.com: Find jewelry, clothing, and unique trinkets here.

• UncommonGoods.com: Find original artwork—watercolors, acrylics, photos, posters—here.

Mothers toil 365 days a year to support their children, grandchildren, and other loved ones. However, this sweet Sunday in May comes but once a year. Will you write a poem, sing a song, or create something altogether different this Mother’s Day?

Our Favorite Words in the English Language

Whether you are a logophile (word lover) or not, you probably can think of one or two words that you really enjoy using. These words don’t have to be rare or exotic. In fact, sometimes it’s far better if they aren’t. Some of my personal favorites are demure, frank, and stalwart. Why are they my favorites? Well, besides being fun to say, they are concrete and clear.

I’ve decided to run a poll on our Facebook page seeking out the top five favorite words in the English language. I asked:

There will be a lot of nominations, but only the top five will be featured in a blog post next week and made into a cool graphic. Naturally, for this poll, we will only accept words that have been added to mainstream dictionaries and are not slang.

Why not cast your vote? Visit the poll.