James Kelly of Vanity Fair wrote a lovely review: “Mr. Skinner does a fine job detailing the controversy that greeted…
What Geoffrey Nunberg said
“Was it the first modern dictionary or the last traditional one? One way or the other, the flap over the…
BookPage calls Story of Ain’t Top Nonfiction Pick
Reviewer Pete Croatto calls The Story of Ain’t “a fascinating, highly entertaining cultural history that will enchant an audience beyond…
Casual: Maddy and Daddy
(from the April 30, 2012, Weekly Standard) “You’re going to Spain with or without your kids?” That was the question…
On the Media: Webster’s Third
“On the Media” interviewed me in 2009 about Webster’s Third, shortly after my article “Ain’t That the Truth” was published…
Kids, Adults, and the F-Bomb
Ever since receiving a PDF version of Adam Mansbach’s Go the F to Sleep, I have been wondering, What is it about…
Beer Inspired by William Minor, the “Madman” lexicographer
I bought a bottle of this “Blue and Gray”-brand, Civil-War themed Virginia microbrew at Whole Foods last week and, of…
Archive: “Farewell to The Public Interest”
(From the April 25, 2005, Weekly Standard) AN OLD WOODEN DESK SITS in my basement, on which I write and…
Casual: Self-Made Man
(From the April 12 – April 19, 2004, Weekly Standard) I HAVEN’T HAD MUCH EXPERIENCE shopping for women’s clothing. And on…
Casual: Shingler on the Roof
(From the October 26, 2009, Weekly Standard) “As is” was the description attached to the garage when my wife Cynthia and…