Dolores Umbridge is likely the most reviled character J. K. Rowling ever created. The subtext of saccharine sweetness was some solid, Stalin-esque authoritarianism. She debuts in the Order of the Phoenix, and she’s an analogue for every propaganda figurehead in the history of the world. Whether it’s an ingrained knee jerk reaction to despise her, or if it’s because of her obsession with the color pink, Potterheads don’t like Dolly. Here are ten things she’s said that validate every insult thrown her way. 1. I’m sure I must have misunderstood you, Professor Dumbledore, so silly of me. But …
If you grew up in the US in the past forty years, you probably can’t say “conjunction” without then singing an entire song. We all have a show called Schoolhouse Rock! to thank for that. Covering topics like math, U.S. history and politics, science, and, of course, grammar, Schoolhouse Rock! has been an important part of every teacher’s toolbox—especially if they want three minutes of rest. For kids, though, Schoolhouse Rock! nestles into their heads. I’m not sure if it’s a great way to teach, but the show turned out some killer tracks. Setting aside the grammar songs for …
Movie adaptations of books are not even a dime a dozen—they’re just a dozen. Almost every movie is, in some way, based on literature. Less common is the folkloric video game adaptation. They’ve gone somewhat out of fashion as games have become increasingly expensive to create. But they were the thing to do in the 80s and 90s, and it’s a good thing too. Some wonderful memories for dweebs and dorks of a certain generation come from video game adaptations of equally nerdy novels. Here are seven notable ones! 1. Michael Crichton’s Timeline Image Via Wikipedia Before its …
Your English professor assigned you a book. You didn’t read it. Gasp. I know, I’m sorry. I hope I haven’t shattered your conception of reality. I hope I haven’t robbed you of gravity itself. I hope you still have access to oxygen on planet Earth. I’ve been on both sides of this because, like an idiot, I taught college English courses for a while. I know what it’s like to sit there, waiting to be called on, not having anything to say. I also know what it’s like to be the one doing the calling, and watching you struggle to find something …
The sheer amount of verbs out there will discombobulate you, if you stop and cogitate. Seriously, cogitate for a moment with me about all the words in the English language that nobody uses. Maybe they’re archaic or obsolete or slang, but they still mean the thing they’re meant to mean. I wondered then what obscure verbs are out there that we often overlook. I’ve done some digging, and I’ve uncovered twelve. I think you’ll enjoy them, and you may even find room in your daily life to revivify these misunderstood verbs! All definitions courtesy of Wiktionary. 1. Bibble …
