Invasion Attempts

The Other British Invasion

Ben Yagoda | Guardian | 26th September 2024

American English is generally assumed to dominate the Anglosphere — a fact often lamented by critics elsewhere — but the process works in reverse too. "Britishisms" started making inroads into the US vernacular in the 1990s. For example: some Americans say "cheeky" to denote impudence, "gutted" to mean "disappointed" and "early days" to mean that a process is just beginning (3,600 words)

Sixteen Failed Attempts

Jude Doyle | 27th August 2024

Each attempt is a different eulogy for the writer's father, who was addicted to drugs and had early onset dementia. Some are angry, others forgiving. Contact was cut off when Doyle was 16. Lying, manipulation and threats of murder were commonplace in their relationship. "He was a broken slot machine, a rigged carnival game, Russian roulette with all six chambers loaded" (7,900 words)