

Paul Anthony Jones
Joined: Jun 20, 2014
Paul Anthony Jones is a writer and musician from Newcastle upon Tyne. He is the author of word origins guide Haggard Hawks and Paltry Poltroons, and runs its tie-in Twitter account @HaggardHawks.


Can You Solve This Old-Timey Riddle? #38

12 Distant Places in the Solar System (And What They’re Named After)

Can You Solve This Old-Timey Riddle? #37
Would You Have Passed This 1920s Pronunciation Test?
“Penelope Cholmondely raised her azure eyes from the crabbed scenario” is just the beginning.
Where Does the Expression ‘Pull Out All the Stops’ Come From?
‘Pulling out all the stops’ means that someone is holding nothing back and making every conceivable effort to do or accomplish something. But where did the phrase come from? Pipe organs have a little something to do with it.
Can You Solve This Old-Timey Riddle? #36
The riddle below dates back to 1750—can you figure it out?
Can You Solve This Old-Timey Riddle? #35
The riddle below dates back to 1754—can you figure it out?
Why Is Having a Good Time Called “Painting the Town Red”?
Henry de la Poer Beresford, the 3rd Marquis of Waterford, had a little something to do with it. Or did he?
Can You Solve This Old-Timey Riddle? #34
This riddle dates back to the 16th century—can you figure it out?
12 Things You Say Without Realizing You’re Quoting Poetry
If you’ve ever talked about “the birds and the bees” or referenced “the best laid plans of mice and men,” then you’ve inadvertently quoted some of the English language’s most famous poets.
Why Is a Tariff Called a “Tariff”?
This word has taken a long linguistic journey to get to where it is today.
Can You Solve This Old-Timey Riddle? #33
The riddle below dates back to 1893—can you figure it out?
Why Do We Call the Country “the Boonies”?
We have the military to thank.
Where Does the Phrase ‘Going to Hell in a Handbasket’ Come From?
A popular myth says that the phrase originated due to the use of the guillotine during French Revolution—but here’s the real deal.
Can You Solve This Old-Timey Riddle? #32
This riddle dates back to 1806—can you figure out the answer?