Grace Tierney
@wordfoolery.bsky.social
Word history - books, blog, LMFMRadio
Comedyfic - Channillo
Love to read, craft, garden in Ireland
My Books - wordfoolery.wordpress.com/my-books/
Weekly Word Blog - http://www.wordfoolery.wordpress.com/
Newsletter - subscribepage.io/wordfoolerywhispers
Comedyfic - Channillo
Love to read, craft, garden in Ireland
My Books - wordfoolery.wordpress.com/my-books/
Weekly Word Blog - http://www.wordfoolery.wordpress.com/
Newsletter - subscribepage.io/wordfoolerywhispers
Pinned
Grace Tierney
@wordfoolery.bsky.social
· Nov 20
“Words Christmas Gave Us” festive history
“Words the Vikings Gave Us” Norse nouns
“Words the Sea Gave Us” nautical words
"Modern Words with Old Roots" avatar to zarf
“How To Get Your Name In The Dictionary” eponyms
#etymology paperback #Kindle
wordfoolery.wordpress.com/my-books/
“Words the Vikings Gave Us” Norse nouns
“Words the Sea Gave Us” nautical words
"Modern Words with Old Roots" avatar to zarf
“How To Get Your Name In The Dictionary” eponyms
#etymology paperback #Kindle
wordfoolery.wordpress.com/my-books/
Today's #ChristmasWordfoolery is wreath.
The first decoration up in my house every December is the wreath on the front door but the earliest wreaths weren’t Christian. They were symbols of victory and power in Greece and Rome. #etymology #history 🧵🎄💙📚
The first decoration up in my house every December is the wreath on the front door but the earliest wreaths weren’t Christian. They were symbols of victory and power in Greece and Rome. #etymology #history 🧵🎄💙📚
December 3, 2025 at 11:43 AM
Today's #ChristmasWordfoolery is wreath.
The first decoration up in my house every December is the wreath on the front door but the earliest wreaths weren’t Christian. They were symbols of victory and power in Greece and Rome. #etymology #history 🧵🎄💙📚
The first decoration up in my house every December is the wreath on the front door but the earliest wreaths weren’t Christian. They were symbols of victory and power in Greece and Rome. #etymology #history 🧵🎄💙📚
Linda rolled her eyes and uttered one word. “Men.”
Ah, it had been a meeting of the Long Suffering Married Librarians Society. I’m not a member, so I edged past them and pulled up the spreadsheet I use for tracking library events.
#1linewed "The Librarian's Secret Diary"
Ah, it had been a meeting of the Long Suffering Married Librarians Society. I’m not a member, so I edged past them and pulled up the spreadsheet I use for tracking library events.
#1linewed "The Librarian's Secret Diary"
a judge sitting in front of an american flag
ALT: a judge sitting in front of an american flag
media.tenor.com
December 3, 2025 at 9:51 AM
Linda rolled her eyes and uttered one word. “Men.”
Ah, it had been a meeting of the Long Suffering Married Librarians Society. I’m not a member, so I edged past them and pulled up the spreadsheet I use for tracking library events.
#1linewed "The Librarian's Secret Diary"
Ah, it had been a meeting of the Long Suffering Married Librarians Society. I’m not a member, so I edged past them and pulled up the spreadsheet I use for tracking library events.
#1linewed "The Librarian's Secret Diary"
Linda rolled her eyes and uttered one word. “Men.”
Ah, it had been a meeting of the Long Suffering Married Librarians Society. I’m not a member, so I edged past them and pulled up the spreadsheet I use for tracking library events.
#1linewed "The Librarian's Secret Diary"
Ah, it had been a meeting of the Long Suffering Married Librarians Society. I’m not a member, so I edged past them and pulled up the spreadsheet I use for tracking library events.
#1linewed "The Librarian's Secret Diary"
a judge sitting in front of an american flag
ALT: a judge sitting in front of an american flag
media.tenor.com
December 3, 2025 at 9:48 AM
Linda rolled her eyes and uttered one word. “Men.”
Ah, it had been a meeting of the Long Suffering Married Librarians Society. I’m not a member, so I edged past them and pulled up the spreadsheet I use for tracking library events.
#1linewed "The Librarian's Secret Diary"
Ah, it had been a meeting of the Long Suffering Married Librarians Society. I’m not a member, so I edged past them and pulled up the spreadsheet I use for tracking library events.
#1linewed "The Librarian's Secret Diary"
It's Valentine's Day in Castle Bailey Library and Nina discovers that love actually is all around (yes, inspired by that movie). Subscribe to read all about #library life - channillo.com/series/the-l... #serialfiction #irishfiction
The Librarian's Secret Diary
<p>Nina is the new librarian on the block. She’s learning the shelves with her buzzword-spouting boss and the senior librarian who hates reading and can’t wait to retire. She records the crazy reader ...
channillo.com
December 3, 2025 at 9:44 AM
It's Valentine's Day in Castle Bailey Library and Nina discovers that love actually is all around (yes, inspired by that movie). Subscribe to read all about #library life - channillo.com/series/the-l... #serialfiction #irishfiction
Reposted by Grace Tierney
This is your December reminder that it's absolutely acceptable to try and get to a set annual book goal by cramming in as many novellas and cookbooks as you can find before Christmas swallows you up! #booksky 💙📚
December 2, 2025 at 7:16 PM
This is your December reminder that it's absolutely acceptable to try and get to a set annual book goal by cramming in as many novellas and cookbooks as you can find before Christmas swallows you up! #booksky 💙📚
Today's #ChristmasWordfoolery is gift.
Gift became an English word in the mid 1200s for “that which is given”, from Old Norse gift (gift or good luck). Old English also had gift (from similar Proto-Germanic sources) but it was only used for dowries. #etymology #history 🧵🎄
Gift became an English word in the mid 1200s for “that which is given”, from Old Norse gift (gift or good luck). Old English also had gift (from similar Proto-Germanic sources) but it was only used for dowries. #etymology #history 🧵🎄
a blue gift box with a yellow ribbon and bow
ALT: a blue gift box with a yellow ribbon and bow
media.tenor.com
December 2, 2025 at 4:30 PM
Today's #ChristmasWordfoolery is gift.
Gift became an English word in the mid 1200s for “that which is given”, from Old Norse gift (gift or good luck). Old English also had gift (from similar Proto-Germanic sources) but it was only used for dowries. #etymology #history 🧵🎄
Gift became an English word in the mid 1200s for “that which is given”, from Old Norse gift (gift or good luck). Old English also had gift (from similar Proto-Germanic sources) but it was only used for dowries. #etymology #history 🧵🎄
So true 😂
Amazon, please stop asking me if books I bought month ago met my expectations. I still have unread books I bought in 2012. Be real.
December 2, 2025 at 1:55 PM
So true 😂
Historic fiction author @thehistorybits.bsky.social kindly hosted me on her blog this week where I explored the history of gingerbread and the meanings behind the lyrics of "The Twelve Days of Christmas". 🎄📚 #ChristmasWordfoolery
It's December!
And to get us in the Christmas spirit, I have a wonderful guest post from Grace Tierney, looking into the history of two of our greatest Christmas traditions.
And to get us in the Christmas spirit, I have a wonderful guest post from Grace Tierney, looking into the history of two of our greatest Christmas traditions.
Guest Post: The Festive History of Gingerbread and “The Twelve Days of Christmas” by Grace Tierney
It's December! And to get us in the Christmas spirit, I have a wonderful guest post from Grace Tierney, looking into the history of two of our greatest Christmas traditions.
historytheinterestingbits.com
December 2, 2025 at 10:25 AM
Historic fiction author @thehistorybits.bsky.social kindly hosted me on her blog this week where I explored the history of gingerbread and the meanings behind the lyrics of "The Twelve Days of Christmas". 🎄📚 #ChristmasWordfoolery
This week's blog about the word history of Advent - wordfoolery.wordpress.com/2025/12/01/c.... I'll be sharing a Christmas #etymology daily in December. I mean, I did write an entire book on the subject - "Words Christmas Gave Us" #ChristmasWordfoolery 🎄📚💙
December 1, 2025 at 7:14 PM
This week's blog about the word history of Advent - wordfoolery.wordpress.com/2025/12/01/c.... I'll be sharing a Christmas #etymology daily in December. I mean, I did write an entire book on the subject - "Words Christmas Gave Us" #ChristmasWordfoolery 🎄📚💙
This week's word from the Wordfoolery Archives is wheeple - a whistling word I explored back in September 2015. Enjoy! wordfoolery.wordpress.com/2015/09/28/a... #etymology
homer simpson from the simpsons is sitting in a chair with his arms crossed and his mouth open .
ALT: homer simpson from the simpsons is sitting in a chair with his arms crossed and his mouth open .
media.tenor.com
November 30, 2025 at 6:30 PM
This week's word from the Wordfoolery Archives is wheeple - a whistling word I explored back in September 2015. Enjoy! wordfoolery.wordpress.com/2015/09/28/a... #etymology
#OnThisDay - #BlackFriday marks the unofficial start of the Christmas shopping season, falling on the Friday after American Thanksgiving. The idea is that large volumes of purchases on this day put shop-owners in the black financially.
#etymology #history 🧵
#etymology #history 🧵
November 28, 2025 at 11:17 AM
#OnThisDay - #BlackFriday marks the unofficial start of the Christmas shopping season, falling on the Friday after American Thanksgiving. The idea is that large volumes of purchases on this day put shop-owners in the black financially.
#etymology #history 🧵
#etymology #history 🧵
Tune in to LMFM radio today at 2 o'clock (or listen online at www.lmfm.ie ) - I'll be chatting with Gerry about the #etymology and stories behind rambunctious, mediocre, crenelate, and drench. Our mystery word is lunting. Podcast link later in comments.
November 28, 2025 at 10:29 AM
Tune in to LMFM radio today at 2 o'clock (or listen online at www.lmfm.ie ) - I'll be chatting with Gerry about the #etymology and stories behind rambunctious, mediocre, crenelate, and drench. Our mystery word is lunting. Podcast link later in comments.
Reposted by Grace Tierney
Spotted on this morning's walk: 'cordwainer', a shoemaker or worker with cordwain leather. You might not guess from its appearance that 'cordwain' has Mediterranean origins – the word comes from the Spanish city of Córdoba.
November 28, 2025 at 9:52 AM
Spotted on this morning's walk: 'cordwainer', a shoemaker or worker with cordwain leather. You might not guess from its appearance that 'cordwain' has Mediterranean origins – the word comes from the Spanish city of Córdoba.
Happy #Thanksgiving to my American friends! Here's the word history of #cranberry to celebrate.
Usually found in the form of cranberry sauce, cranberries add colour and flavour to side dishes on the feasting table.
#etymology 🧵🦃
Usually found in the form of cranberry sauce, cranberries add colour and flavour to side dishes on the feasting table.
#etymology 🧵🦃
November 27, 2025 at 3:08 PM
Happy #Thanksgiving to my American friends! Here's the word history of #cranberry to celebrate.
Usually found in the form of cranberry sauce, cranberries add colour and flavour to side dishes on the feasting table.
#etymology 🧵🦃
Usually found in the form of cranberry sauce, cranberries add colour and flavour to side dishes on the feasting table.
#etymology 🧵🦃
This is your annual reminder that if it wasn't for the Vikings, we'd still be talking about coecel (Old English) instead of cake. Thank you, Old Norse. To read about the many other English words we "borrowed" from the Vikings, try "Words the Vikings Gave Us" wordfoolery.wordpress.com/my-books/ 🎂🪓
November 26, 2025 at 10:19 AM
This is your annual reminder that if it wasn't for the Vikings, we'd still be talking about coecel (Old English) instead of cake. Thank you, Old Norse. To read about the many other English words we "borrowed" from the Vikings, try "Words the Vikings Gave Us" wordfoolery.wordpress.com/my-books/ 🎂🪓
I'm totally here for Christmas puns.
Man from the security team walking through the train: I’m here to help. But if you do approach me I might tell you a dad joke.
A woman nearby laughs.
Man: Ok, you seem like a good audience. Everyone forgets about the other reindeer. But she’s in the song: ‘Olive the other reindeer…’
A woman nearby laughs.
Man: Ok, you seem like a good audience. Everyone forgets about the other reindeer. But she’s in the song: ‘Olive the other reindeer…’
November 26, 2025 at 10:05 AM
I'm totally here for Christmas puns.
Before the annual Book Sale comes the Great Culling of Books. I wish I could say that Linda helps with this task, but I’d be lying if I did.
She sits at the issue desk, nobly taking one for the team, or so she tells me.
#1linewed "The Librarian's Secret Diary"
She sits at the issue desk, nobly taking one for the team, or so she tells me.
#1linewed "The Librarian's Secret Diary"
a cartoon character is standing on a balcony in front of a library
ALT: a cartoon character is standing on a balcony in front of a library
media.tenor.com
November 26, 2025 at 10:01 AM
Before the annual Book Sale comes the Great Culling of Books. I wish I could say that Linda helps with this task, but I’d be lying if I did.
She sits at the issue desk, nobly taking one for the team, or so she tells me.
#1linewed "The Librarian's Secret Diary"
She sits at the issue desk, nobly taking one for the team, or so she tells me.
#1linewed "The Librarian's Secret Diary"
This week at the library Nina defeats a cunning plan by their local history bore. Subscribe to read hundreds of episodes of my librarian fiction serial at www.channillo.com/series/the-l...
#librarylife #irishfiction #serialfiction
#librarylife #irishfiction #serialfiction
The Librarian's Secret Diary
<p>Nina is the new librarian on the block. She’s learning the shelves with her buzzword-spouting boss and the senior librarian who hates reading and can’t wait to retire. She records the crazy reader ...
www.channillo.com
November 26, 2025 at 9:58 AM
This week at the library Nina defeats a cunning plan by their local history bore. Subscribe to read hundreds of episodes of my librarian fiction serial at www.channillo.com/series/the-l...
#librarylife #irishfiction #serialfiction
#librarylife #irishfiction #serialfiction
Reposted by Grace Tierney
New children’s podcast incoming! 👌🫡
DEAD FUNNY HISTORY
PRODUCTION CREDITS:
Host: me
Produced by Dr Emma Nagouse & @Scriblit
Scripts by Dr Emma, @scriblit.bsky.social, @athenakugblenu.bsky.social, @JackBern.bsky.social
Audio editing by Emma Weatherill
Starring @jlukeroberts.bsky.social , Richard David Caine, & Mali Ann Rees
PRODUCTION CREDITS:
Host: me
Produced by Dr Emma Nagouse & @Scriblit
Scripts by Dr Emma, @scriblit.bsky.social, @athenakugblenu.bsky.social, @JackBern.bsky.social
Audio editing by Emma Weatherill
Starring @jlukeroberts.bsky.social , Richard David Caine, & Mali Ann Rees
November 26, 2025 at 9:07 AM
New children’s podcast incoming! 👌🫡
Reposted by Grace Tierney
Best Christmas ad yet! Knocks John Lewis into a cocked hat.
November 25, 2025 at 7:45 AM
Best Christmas ad yet! Knocks John Lewis into a cocked hat.
It's that time of year again. If you'd like a signed copy (or a set of four) of my word history books for the history/language buff in your life please get in touch soon as orders close on December 1st to ensure delivery by 25th. All details at wordfoolery.wordpress.com/would-you-li... #giftideas
November 25, 2025 at 9:32 AM
It's that time of year again. If you'd like a signed copy (or a set of four) of my word history books for the history/language buff in your life please get in touch soon as orders close on December 1st to ensure delivery by 25th. All details at wordfoolery.wordpress.com/would-you-li... #giftideas
Reposted by Grace Tierney
"Lukewarm" actually has nothing to do with a guy named Luke. It comes from Middle English "lewk" (tepid) + "warm." It's like saying "warm-warm" 😄
#etymology
#etymology
November 25, 2025 at 8:47 AM
"Lukewarm" actually has nothing to do with a guy named Luke. It comes from Middle English "lewk" (tepid) + "warm." It's like saying "warm-warm" 😄
#etymology
#etymology
I chatted with Art on the Cozy #Christmas Podcast recently about "Words Christmas Gave Us" amzn.to/3XPdS4h my history of festive words, traditions, and folklore worldwide.
If you love this time of year, give it a listen. 🎄📚💙
cozychristmas.libsyn.com/scurryfunge-...
#Christmasgift print and #Kindle
If you love this time of year, give it a listen. 🎄📚💙
cozychristmas.libsyn.com/scurryfunge-...
#Christmasgift print and #Kindle
November 24, 2025 at 4:32 PM
I chatted with Art on the Cozy #Christmas Podcast recently about "Words Christmas Gave Us" amzn.to/3XPdS4h my history of festive words, traditions, and folklore worldwide.
If you love this time of year, give it a listen. 🎄📚💙
cozychristmas.libsyn.com/scurryfunge-...
#Christmasgift print and #Kindle
If you love this time of year, give it a listen. 🎄📚💙
cozychristmas.libsyn.com/scurryfunge-...
#Christmasgift print and #Kindle
This week I take a look at a word the #French gave us - bribe - and its connection to #food history - wordfoolery.wordpress.com/2025/11/24/t... #etymology #bread
a person is cutting a loaf of bread with a knife .
ALT: a person is cutting a loaf of bread with a knife .
media.tenor.com
November 24, 2025 at 12:44 PM
This week I take a look at a word the #French gave us - bribe - and its connection to #food history - wordfoolery.wordpress.com/2025/11/24/t... #etymology #bread
This week's gem from the Wordfoolery Archives is jacquerie - a revolutionary term from France whose roots lie in clothing. Read all about it in my 2015 blog - wordfoolery.wordpress.com/2015/08/17/j... #etymology #history #WordsTheFrenchGaveUs
Jacquerie – the Jacks are revolting
Hello, This week’s word is jacquerie which I came across in Richard Killeen’s excellent “A Timeline of Irish History”. I’d highly recommend it for any student of Irish…
wordfoolery.wordpress.com
November 23, 2025 at 7:49 PM
This week's gem from the Wordfoolery Archives is jacquerie - a revolutionary term from France whose roots lie in clothing. Read all about it in my 2015 blog - wordfoolery.wordpress.com/2015/08/17/j... #etymology #history #WordsTheFrenchGaveUs