Welcome to my Desk, where you’ll find all sorts of items to hold your interest. Unlike my real office desk, which is cluttered with books, files, news cuttings and the remnants of my lunch, this Online Desk will be efficient and easy to navigate.
Learn some of the tricks of solving those weird cryptic crosswords on my tutorials page.
If you wonder about the origins of some of our wonderful English expressions, Words & Phrases is the place to find out more.
Read about the puzzling but positive effect Lovatts has on your health in Puzzles & your Health. We’d love to hear from you, so write a letter to Christine’s Mailbag. You might want to comment on my regular column @ Christine’s Hello.
There’s something for everyone here, so come on in!
Latest Posts
Christine’s Typewriter
On a trip a few years ago through the Scottish Highlands, I came across a little village with a sign in a shop window that said, ‘Typewriter Repair Shop’. That was a nostalgic moment, taking me back to my teens, when one of my weekend jobs was typing out documents.
Some of you of a certain age may recall the clack of [more…]
Try Crosswords, Not Cross Words
Have you ever wondered why some people get over an argument quickly while others remain in a bad mood for days? According to a report in the journal Biological Psychiatry, scientists at Harvard University have discovered that the qualities required to bounce back after a disagreement are controlled in the very front of the brain (known as the prefrontal cortex) right [more…]
Say it Another Way
One reason we have so many synonyms is a legacy of English history. Anglo-Saxon was spoken until the Normans invaded England in 1066 when they made French the language of the courts. Anglo-Saxon was spoken by the peasants and French by the aristocracy, which is why so many English words have twins. For instance, baby from Anglo-Saxon, infant from French, ask [more…]
Love Language
Whether grand or intimate, every wedding has its own story, a blend of tradition and personal touches which reflects a couple’s journey together. One of the happiest occasions that happens in a family is a wedding, which incidentally comes from the Old English weddian ‘to pledge to do something’.
The original Old English word for the ceremony was bridelope or ‘bridal run’, [more…]
Christmas Comeback
Despite what you might hear on the radio these days, Christmas hasn’t always been a jolly affair. In the 1640s, supported by Oliver Cromwell, the English Parliament passed an ordinance abolishing Christmas celebrations. Citizens were banned from celebrating Christmas in any way, especially going to Mass. The Puritans viewed the festival as an unwanted remnant of the Roman Catholic Church.
Previously, Christmas [more…]
Christmas Then and Now
Back in the 4th century, Christmas began as a religious celebration to commemorate the birth of Jesus. Nowadays we expect Christmas Day to come without any fuss, and everybody aims to have a joyful but fairly normal day. If you have ever suffered from the stress of buying gifts, writing cards, Christmas cooking, or the gut-wrenching decision of which in-laws to [more…]