A Deep Dive into "RUINATION DAY"

The latest cover of The Economist magazine is a striking and provocative illustration that combines political commentary with a strong visual metaphor:

Visual Elements:

🔹 Illustration:
Donald Trump is depicted holding a saw over a map of the USA. He is bending over, with his face obscured, focusing on the saw. The saw is positioned above the map, suggesting an imminent action.
(one may find a cultural reference to the film scenes (e.g. the fifth element, underworld) where the protoganist escapes through the whole on the floor he/she (hate 'they') makes with a gun)

🔹 Color Scheme:
The dominant yellow background creates a sense of urgency and warning. The green map of the US stands out, drawing attention to the geographical focus. The dark suit and red tie of Trump add a sense of formality and authority.

Textual Elements:

🔹 Headline:
"RUINATION DAY" in bold black letters at the top. This headline is ominous and suggests a critical moment or event. "How to limit the global damage" in smaller black text below the headline. This subhead implies that the magazine will discuss strategies to mitigate the consequences of the impending action. It may suggest that the magazine is addressing a significant and potentially harmful event, possibly related to geopolitical tensions or economic instability.

🔹 Other headlines:
Articles listed on the right side of the cover include:
"How MAGA could help China"
"Penalising Le Pen"
"Refugee-camp economics"
"George Foreman: boxer, preacher and griller"
These articles suggest a range of topics, from geopolitics to economics and culture. (Yes, Cap)

Overall Message:

The cover conveys a sense of urgency and concern about a critical moment in global affairs, with a focus on the US. It suggests that the magazine will explore strategies to mitigate the damage caused by this event, while also covering a range of other important global topics.


Put ♥️ and I will unveil more

The article in The Economist , titled "Ruination Day" (find in the comments), critiques Donald Trump's announcement of sweeping new tariffs on April 2, 2025, describing it as one of the most reckless and harmful economic decisions in modern history. The piece argues that these protectionist policies mark a dramatic departure from the global trading order and will lead to significant damage both for the U.S. and the rest of the world.
The article portrays "Ruination Day" as a self-inflicted wound driven by misguided economic nationalism, urging other nations to resist retaliation and instead strengthen international trade networks to mitigate the fallout.

But again there's something else hidden there... As a linguist, I must devulge it...

The Economist cover (April, 5th 2025) says something.

Can you read between the lines?

✔️ I THINK thesaurus 🦖

As far as I’m concerned…

It is my belief that… (formal)

There is reason to believe that… (academic)

I am not unaware of the fact that… (posh)

Permit me to opine, with the greatest deference, that… (royal)

✔️Friday Punday

Jill broke her finger today. On the other hand she was completely fine.

To the guy who invented Zero: Thanks for nothing!

You’re becoming a vegetarian? I think that’s a big missed steak.

Yesterday I swallowed some food coloring. I feel like I’ve dyed a little inside.

I took a picture of a field of wheat. It was grainy.

Never trust a woman who plays tennis.
Love means ‘nothing’ to her.

✔️Linguist Diary

The etymology of the word coffee is a fascinating journey through multiple languages and cultures, reflecting the global spread of this beloved beverage.

1. Origins in Ethiopia

The word coffee traces its roots back to the Ethiopian region of Kaffa, where coffee plants (specifically Coffea arabica) are believed to have originated. The Oromo people of Ethiopia called the plant and its energizing berries "buna" or "bunna" .

2. Arabic Influence: "Qahwah"

From Ethiopia, coffee spread to the Arabian Peninsula, particularly Yemen, where it became an integral part of social and cultural life. The Arabic term "qahwah" initially referred to wine or a stimulating drink. Over time, it came to specifically denote coffee, which was brewed and consumed in coffeehouses known as qahveh khaneh ("coffee houses"). The association likely stemmed from coffee's stimulating effects, similar to those of wine.

3. Turkish Adaptation: "Kahve"

As coffee culture spread further, the Ottoman Empire adopted the beverage and adapted the Arabic word "qahwah" into Turkish as "kahve." This term emphasized the drink's role as a dark, invigorating liquid.

4. European Adoption

Coffee reached Europe in the 16th and 17th centuries via trade routes, and European languages borrowed the term from either Turkish or other intermediary languages:

• Italian : The Italian word for coffee, "caffè," comes directly from the Turkish "kahve."
• Dutch : The Dutch adopted the term as "koffie," which influenced many other European languages.
• French : The French term "café" also derives from the Turkish "kahve."
• English : English borrowed the word from either the Dutch "koffie" or the French "café." Over time, the pronunciation shifted to "coffee."

5. Modern Usage

Today, the word coffee is widely recognized in nearly every language, often with only slight variations in spelling or pronunciation:
• Spanish: "café"
• German: "Kaffee"
• Russian: "кофе" (kofe)
• Japanese: "コーヒー" (kōhī)

This linguistic journey mirrors the global spread of coffee itself, from its humble beginnings in Ethiopia to becoming one of the most popular beverages worldwide:
• Ethiopian → Arabic ("qahwah") → Turkish ("kahve") → European languages ("coffee," "café," etc.)

Here’s a glossary of health-related terms from the article for B2-C2 level students;
it will help you understand key concepts while expanding your vocabulary (find the pdf in comments)

☕️The Intriguing Link Between Coffee Timing and Health

If you're a coffee enthusiast, this new study published in the European Heart Journal might just change how you think about your daily brew. Researchers have discovered something fascinating: when you drink your coffee could be as important as how much you drink—especially when it comes to mortality risk.

Key Findings:

🔹Morning Coffee Wins the Health Race:
The study identified two distinct patterns of coffee consumption among US adults:
•Morning-type drinkers (36% of participants) who mainly consumed coffee between 4 a.m. and noon.
•All-day drinkers (14%) who spread their coffee intake throughout the day.

After adjusting for factors like sleep duration, caffeine intake, and lifestyle habits, researchers found that morning coffee drinkers had a significantly lower risk of all-cause mortality and cardiovascular disease (CVD)-specific mortality compared to non-coffee drinkers. On the other hand, all-day coffee drinking showed no such protective effect.

🔹Coffee Amounts Matter—but Only in the Morning:
The research revealed a dose-response relationship between coffee intake and reduced mortality — but only for morning drinkers. Drinking moderate to heavy amounts of coffee (1–3+ cups per day) in the morning was linked to a lower risk of death, particularly from CVD. For all-day drinkers? No significant benefits were observed, regardless of the amount consumed.

🔹Why Timing Matters:
Two potential explanations stood out:
•Circadian Rhythm Disruption: Consuming coffee later in the day may interfere with melatonin production—a hormone crucial for regulating sleep-wake cycles. Low melatonin levels are associated with higher oxidative stress, blood pressure, and CVD risk.
•Anti-inflammatory Effects*: Coffee is packed with bioactive compounds that reduce inflammation. Since inflammatory markers peak in the morning and decline throughout the day, morning coffee might maximize these anti-inflammatory benefits.

The importance of timing in health behaviors does matter and shows us that starting your day with a morning cup of coffee might do more than just wake you up.

So, next time you reach for that afternoon latte, consider whether your body might prefer it earlier!


*Anti-inflammatory Effects — reducing inflammation or swelling in the body, often associated with protective health benefits

I read this book a decade ago

I was wandering through the bookshelves in one of the bookstores in Moscow when I suddenly saw Kate Fox's Watching the English book. And I bought it.

My love for German and linguistcs combined:

dunkelflaute [ˈdʊŋkəlˌflaʊtə] -- the weather phenomenon typically arises in winter due to shorter daylight hours which leads to simultaneous occurrence of darkness and a lull (no activity) in wind activity

dunkelflaute (pl. dunkelfauten) is a neoligism, which originates from German dunkel (dark) and flaute (lull); used mainly in the renewable energy sector.

✔️Friday Punday

The dead batteries were given out free of charge.

Broken puppets for sale. No strings attached.

I once heard a joke about amnesia, but I forgot how it goes.

Never lie to an x-ray technician. They can see right through you.

His theory on inertia never seemed to gain momentum.

✔️ My top ten how to respond to unsolicited advice

10. I think your intentions are well-meaning, but that isn’t helpful to me.

9. That’s a different way to look at things. It doesn’t really fit for me, but I appreciate your perspective.

8. I understand where you’re coming from. Let me reflect on that.

7. I’m feeling overwhelmed and just want someone to listen.

6. I love how you’re trying to look out for me. I want to try it a different way for myself first.

5. I would like to talk to you about our communication.

4. I will give that some thought.

3. I hear what you are saying, but my experience is different, and I disagree with your advice.

2. Thanks for your input.

1. Fokoff (C2 level)

✔️Friday Punday

I used to have a fear of hurdles, but I got over it.

What do you call an alligator in a vest? An investigator.

My dog can do magic tricks. It’s a labracadabrador.

My fear of moving stairs is escalating.

I was going to buy a book on phobias, but I was afraid it wouldn’t help me.

Agreeing
Absolutely!
Exactly!
I totally agree!
I couldn’t agree more!
I see exactly what you mean!
You're right. That's a good point.

Disagreeing
I don’t agree!
I totally disagree!
Absolutely not!
That’s not right!
I’m not sure about that. (polite disagreement)

Partly agreeing
I agree up to a point, but ... (in fact, disagree)
I see your point, but ... (in fact, disagree)
That’s partly true, but ... (in fact, disagree)
I'm not so sure about that. (in fact, disagree)

✔️Senior Lecturer Diary

I absolutely agree!

I have had a busy day today with my senior (4th-year) students and during the morning discussion one of them exclaimed:

I absolutely agree!

The phrase I used to say before my C2 upgrade...

FLAG SITUATION

A "red flag" warns of danger in relationships, often signalling unhealthy or unsafe behaviours like control or disrespect.

Red flags in relationships can have significant negative impacts. They often indicate unhealthy behaviors, such as control, disrespect, or emotional manipulation, which can erode trust, safety, and personal boundaries. Ignoring red flags can lead to emotional distress, a loss of self-worth, and even dangerous situations. Recognizing and addressing red flags early is crucial for maintaining healthy and safe relationships.

A "green flag" highlights positive traits, has a positive impact, fostering healthy dynamics and emotional well-being.

While a "beige flag" represents neutral or harmless quirks (peculiar aspects of a person’s character or behaviour) that may not have a significant impact on the overall health of the relationship.

And I couldn't stop surfing...

This party is so beige.


When suddenly I saw a beige flag

I was reading some political articles the other day when I came across this:

The tensions of the Nixon presidency were replaced by the plain vanilla administration of a friendly, middle-aged, middle-class man from the Middle West.

Vanilla /vəˈnɪlə/ adj.
having no special or extra features; ordinary or standard

I know ‘vanilla’ adjective has been used for a decade or more, so I was curious to find a Teen Slang equivalent for it.

And here comes BEIGE = boring

✔️ Bookworm Friday (mag-ed)

The article (find in the comments) from The Economist inspired the latest posts on neologisms.

It discusses the increasing significance of inheritance in today's economy and society.

Over recent decades the share of inherited wealth in GDP has risen significantly, leading to situations where young people's ability to afford homes depends largely on inherited funds rather than personal effort.

This shift poses challenges to capitalism and meritocratic ideals, creating a rentier class that lacks incentives to work or innovate. Social inequality is exacerbated, with some receiving large inheritances while others get very little or nothing.

Solutions proposed include increased housing construction, progressive property taxes targeting land values, and measures to stimulate economic growth, all aimed at restoring the link between hard work and wealth accumulation.

🥷 Now serious posting

The term (blend) inheritocracy combines the words "inheritance" and "aristocracy".

It refers to a system where wealth and social status are passed down through generations, creating a new class of people whose opportunities and standing depend more on inherited wealth than on personal merit or hard work.

The term highlights how inheritance plays a crucial role in determining life outcomes, sometimes even more so than individual efforts, thereby shaping a society where inherited advantages matter as much as achievement.


The term uber-rich is a playful way to describe individuals who possess extraordinary wealth, typically exceeding common standards of affluence.

The prefix "uber-" comes from German and implies something beyond ordinary or extreme.
When combined with "rich," it suggests a level of wealth and privilege that goes far beyond typical notions of wealth.

People described as uber-rich usually have immense financial resources, often owning luxurious properties, investments, and influence that sets them apart from the general population.

🚨 Linguist Diaries

I am desperately seeking my PhD completion… Found two new words today! 😅

1. Inheritocracy: The art of ruling via inheritance – seems my ancestors missed the memo.
2. Uber-Rich: These folks don't need Uber; they own the city! 🚙💰

Witty? Check. Ironic? Double-check. Humorous? Absolutely! 🎉

#PhDLife #Neologisms #Inheritocracy #UberRich 🤒🫠

Antonomasia /ˌantənəˈmeɪzɪə/

is a kind of metonymy in which an epithet or phrase takes the place of a proper name, such as "the little corporal" for Napoleon I, or conversely the use of a proper name as an archetypal name, to express a generic idea.

A frequent instance of antonomasia in the Late Middle Ages and early Renaissance was the use of the term "the Philosopher" to refer to Aristotle.

Stylistically, such epithets may be used for elegant variation to reduce repetition of names in phrases.

*a pun — a joke exploiting the different possible meanings of a word or the fact that there are words which sound alike but have different meanings

✔️Friday Punday

Did you hear about that great new shovel? It’s ground breaking.

Writing with a dull pencil is pointless.

Why does Peter Pan fly all the time? He Neverlands.

I wondered why the baseball was getting bigger. Then it hit me.

I did a performance about puns. Really it was just a play on words.

А здесь я получила первое высшее образование и психологическую травму.

There’s an ancient city of Zeugma btw

Zeugma /ˈz(j)uːɡmə/
(or semantic syllepsis)

is

a use of language in which a word that has more than one meaning is used with one meaning in one part of a sentence and with a different meaning in another part of the sentence, usually in order to produce a humorous effect

The type of figure is grammatically correct but creates its effect by seeming, at first hearing, to be incorrect by its exploiting multiple shades of meaning in a single word or phrase.


e.g. Even so, the period between the Norman landing at Pevensey in 1066 and the day in 1485 when Richard III lost his horse and his head at Bosworth, ushering in the Tudors and the Early Modern period, marks a rare flowering of British buildings.

I have gone into full cringe mode to out-cringe everyone 💊

🚨Cringe Control -- then you're trying to hold back your physical reaction to something awkward.

🐻Cringe and Bear It -- a play on "grin and bear it," referring to enduring an embarrassing situation.

👨🏻‍💻Cringe Management -- the art of dealing with socially uncomfortable scenarios.

🎭Cringe-Worthy Performance -- a terrible display that leaves everyone feeling embarrassed.

🏆Cringe Academy Awards -- recognizing the most embarrassing moments of the year.

🥴Cringe-ception -- feeling embarrassed about feeling embarrassed.

🆗Cringe-Free Zone -- a hypothetical place where nothing awkward ever happens.

🏭 Cringe factory -- a setting where embarrassing incidents seem to occur frequently.

⚠️ Cringe Alert System -- a warning signal for impending awkwardness.

🥷 Cringe Ninja -- someone who effortlessly avoids awkward situations.

One needs a cringe therapy after that cringe-a-thon 💊

Being a linguist is not a profession it’s a state of mind

Once I invented ‘mondaylicious’ (the art of loving Mondays)

Why not say ‘cringe-a-licious’ (so awkward it’s almost enjoyable to watch)?

Have you watched the Zelensky-in-the-White-House cringe-induced-muscle-spasm show?

I have! Shame I didn’t have a cringe shield.

Btw read my comments to Tass

Top Ten 'cringe' collocations

Cringe-worthy -- something that causes intense embarrassment or discomfort.
That scene in the movie was totally cringe-worthy.

Cringe-inducingly -- to an extent that causes cringing.
His jokes were cringe-inducingly bad.

Cringe-laugh -- a laugh accompanied by feelings of embarrassment or discomfort.
I couldn't help but let out a cringe-laugh when he tripped on stage.

Cringe-fest -- an event or situation filled with embarrassing moments.
The party turned into a total cringe-fest when everyone started dancing badly.

Cringe moment -- a particular instance that causes embarrassment.
Remembering my old hairstyle always gives me a cringe moment.

Cringe comedy -- a genre of humor that relies on awkward or uncomfortable situations.
Many sitcoms use cringe comedy to get laughs from viewers.

Cringe culture -- the phenomenon of intentionally seeking out and sharing embarrassing content.
TikTok has become a hub for cringe culture.

Cringe factor -- the level of embarrassment or discomfort associated with something.
The cringe factor was off the charts when she sang karaoke.

Cringe-watch -- watching something embarrassing or uncomfortable with morbid fascination.
I can't stop myself from cringe-watching reality shows.

Cringe response -- the physical reaction of cringing, often involving squirming or grimacing.
My cringe response was immediate when I saw his outdated outfit.

I would be a terrible linguist if I didn’t dig deep(er) into the ‘cringe’ subject

Etymology (origin of the word)

‘Cringe’ originates from Old English cringan "yield, give way, fall (in battle); become bent."

Earlier from Proto-Germanic *krank- "bend, curl up" (source also of Old Norse kringr, Dutch kring, German Kring "circle, ring").

What are the findings of the brief etymology entry?

‘Cringe’ and ‘crank’ (informal, inject a narcotic drug) derive from a common Proto-Germanic root.



Cringey enough?

✔️ Naughty Slangday (first night)

Shall we start with ‘cringe’?

cringe /krɪndʒ/ noun, adj, verb

(informal) used for showing that you think something is very embarrassing or bad:

She walked in full of confidence, slipped and fell over — cringe!

Who wants fat-free chocolate cake? Cringe!


(informal) very embarrassing, because of being so bad or silly:

Everything he posts on social media seems so cringe.

When you're watching the show you constantly think "this is cringe", but it's completely addictive!


(informal) to feel very embarrassed, and often show this by a physical movement or expression:

I cringed at the sight of my dad dancing.

Their praise was so gushing it made me cringe.

When I hear my own voice played back I just sit there cringing.

Hello there!

I’ve been sporadically posting some random facts about language for somewhat eight years, and it is more than evident there’s still little personal info.

TG most of you met me offline, however my modest self has just decided to introduce myself.

I'm a linguist and MGIMO senior lecturer (and ex-interpreter) with a passion for exploring the intricate beauty of languages. I believe that language is a living organism, constantly adapting and growing to reflect the pulse of society.

My areas of expertise include English and German linguistics, but my true love lies in studying the ever-evolving landscape of neologisms and slang in the context of sociolinguistics.

When I'm not decoding the mysteries of language, you'll find me immersed in my hobby — crocheting delicate patterns that intertwine creativity and relaxation, much like the threads of language itself.

And I adore memes and puns!

When I’m not spinning yarns about linguistics I’m literally spinning yarn with my crochet hook!

✔️Dangling Modifiers

So, the correct sentence is
Having finished the book, I turned off the lamp.

What is a Dangling Modifier?
A dangling modifier is a type of ambiguous grammatical construct with no subject.

Compare:
Incorrect: Eager to impress, the job interview went well.
Correct: Eager to impress, I performed very well in the job interview.

Incorrect (you may correct the sentences in comments):
-- I know a man with a wooden leg named Smith.
-- What was the name of his other leg?

Incorrect: Running down the street, the bakery caught my attention.

Incorrect: Without knowing his name, it was difficult to introduce him.

Incorrect: Hoping to impress her, the steak was cooked to perfection.

✔️Lunchbox lesson

Having finished the book, the lamp was turned off.

Read through the sentence carefully. Seems something isn’t quite right, is it?

✔️ The Booster

sedulous /ˈsedʒ.ə.ləs/, adjective

— (of a person or action) showing dedication and diligence.

He caught the mistake right away, thanks to his sedulous practices.

There is a very sedulous propaganda to try to show that we are weak everywhere.

I-like-it-very-much language

Safe and simple, isn’t it?

Try these instead:

✔️ I find it most agreeable
✔️ I find it utterly enchanting
✔️ I am most delightfully taken with it
✔️ I find it irresistibly diverting
✔️ I find it singularly delightful

Alrighty? 🫶🏻🫶🏻

Oxford Comma situation

I was explaining the correlation between the grammar, sense and punctuation during the class today.

I thought I had the Oxford Comma meme here.
Couldn’t find it so enjoy it here now😜😜

I was randomly scrolling my posts the other day and caught a glimpse of the meme I posted years ago.

No “a-ha-ha” emojis there

That’s what she said (originally)

Do you know the meaning of the phrase?

Vote 🔽 to find out more 😜😜