"Seldom has linguistic history been this much fun." Salem Statesman-Journal

Read online reviews of my books or order a copy.

Explore some hidden corners of English:
Vintage Vocabulary

Welcome to my Home Page!

I write books and articles about language topics, especially American slang and figures of speech. Samples of my work are collected on the Clips page. My Vintage Vocabulary Web site features brief essays on American words and expressions with colorful histories.

I also write and teach about research how-to for writers. Check out the Research Tips page for practical advice, resource lists, and links.