English Archive - KatharineWrites

Language & Culture

48 English words with Arabic origins

Ever wondered whether there are any English words with Arabic origins? Find out here! —– Alcohol From Arabic al-kuḥl (الكحل) meaning “the kohl”, a fine

20. March 2025

Language & Culture

Victorian words and phrases from Britain

Take a trip back to Britain’s golden age with these lovely Victorian words and phrases —– Some Victorian words… Bricky If someone in Victorian Britain

21. February 2025

Language & Culture

Midlands dialect and the odd things my mum says

What – you don’t know what an idle Jack is? —– In the great scheme of things, Britain is a small, small island. And, in

15. December 2024

Language & Culture

What the British say and what they mean: a brief guide

What the British say and what they mean can be two very different things. And the problem is them, not you. —– “Katharine, can you

16. September 2024

Language & Culture

English words of Indian origin

Time to celebrate these delightful Anglo-Indian terms —– The English language is fantastically adept at absorbing words from other languages. These English words of Indian

27. July 2024

Big Ben and Westminister Palace in London

Language & Culture

12 weird British sayings and their mysterious origins

We Brits really do come out with some odd stuff! —– Speaking British English in a foreign country means being self-aware and kind. It means

19. July 2024

Laughing young women enjoying a movie at the flicks

Language & Culture

Old-fashioned words and phrases in English

These old-fashioned words and phrases in English aren’t heard often anymore. They need a new lease on life! —– Recently, while writing about extinct words

16. June 2024