

Paul Anthony Jones
Joined: Jun 20, 2014
Paul Anthony Jones is a writer and musician from Newcastle upon Tyne. He is the author of word origins guide Haggard Hawks and Paltry Poltroons, and runs its tie-in Twitter account @HaggardHawks.




This riddle dates back to 1806—can you figure out the answer?
The states were ranked on 26 different factors, including homicide and crime rates and environmental issues like air cleanliness and water quality. How did your state do?
This riddle dates back to 1861—can you figure out the answer?
This riddle dates back to the 19th century—can you figure out the answer?
Americans have a strong preference for what they want to eat before they shuffle off this mortal coil.
If you’ve ever Googled any of these words to figure out the difference between them, you are far from alone.
A 15th-century queen might have something to do with it. Plus, why the heck vampires have them.
This riddle dates back to 1875—can you figure out the answer?
You’re probably botching a few of these—read on to find out how to say them correctly.
This riddle dates back to 1921—can you figure out the answer?
Take care when you visit these beaches—factors like surf conditions, shark attacks, and weather can make them treacherous.
Where this bizarre expression came from, how its meaning has evolved, and where you might have seen it used.