A Short History of the Kohinoor Diamond

3rd March 2023

Quite recently, campaigns, tweets and demands for the return of the exceptionally prestigious Kohinoor Diamond to India have become more vociferous. Housed in the Tower of London, the Kohinoor has mysterious origins, and a history that is still not fully known, but it is an integral part of the extension of political power and the symbolism of British colonialism. Since the death of Queen Elizabeth II, India, Iran, Afghanistan and Pakistan have all re-claimed their rights to the precious 105-carat diamond, sparking interest into its early past.

A Short History of the Kohinoor Diamond

The Etymology of English Place Names

23rd February 2023

English draws on etymological roots from Old Norse, Old English (sometimes called Anglo-Saxon), Middle English, Insular (Anglo-Saxon) Latin, Scots Gaelic, Welsh, Irish (Irish Gaelic), Cornish, Cumbric, and doubtless many more insular and Northern European languages; the rich linguistic tapestry of this land is carried through the ages in our modern names for the places they dwelt. Below is a list of common parts of English place names, with their accompanying root languages and meanings. Hopefully, next time you’re scanning across a map, list of train stations, or perhaps a motorway exit sign, see if you can recognise any part of a town name and, with it, part of the history of this land.

The Etymology of English Place Names

What Your Favourite Celebrations Chocolate Says About You

23rd February 2023

If like me, every Christmas, your family commits to large variety tubs of chocolate over an intense game of Monopoly, you will be very familiar with the chocolates you invariably pick first, and indeed, the chocolates others snatch up before you. You will also be familiar with the unwanted species, who, much like the least favourite child, get reluctantly picked at the end once your mouth has been coated in sugar, and so is not fully appreciated. Call this over-analysing, but (BuzzFeed quiz style) have you ever pondered what your favourite Celebration says about you?

What Your Favourite Celebrations Chocolate Says About You