Monthly Archives: August 2016
Only one Member of Congress, Representative Jeannette Rankin, voted against the resolution that brought the United States into the Second World War. Astonishingly, she had also voted against American participation in the First World War. A clear, steady and solitary voice ‘In a clear, steady voice, Rankin voted “No,”. The packed House Chamber erupted with boos and jeers’. President Roosevelt had just addressed the joint […]
Give peace a chance? Congress’s lone World War pacifist
Helen Zaltzman presents … the Etymolympics! Her adventures in language take on the world’s largest sporting event. What are the origins of words such as ‘stadium’, ‘hurdles’, ‘steeplechase’ and, of course, ‘Olympic’. It is just a short podcast this week but packed with sporting etymology. It is presented as a spoof on sports commentary, which made me laugh.
