Piping-hot propaganda.

This morning, I boiled water in one of those stovetop kettles. As the loud whistling announced that the water was ready, the realization hit me — for the first time, I am almost embarrassed to admit — this is the origin of the descriptor “piping-hot” 🤦🏾‍♂️

I know, I know. I’m a writer, I should know. But I didn’t. And I think it’s because we all take a lot of the expressions and words we use for granted.

This is why I love those moments when a linguist drops some knowledge on me…or I stumble into an ‘aha’ moment by myself. It reminds me to pause and sit in the meanings of words (and the other things that make a life).

Words hold our histories, tell our stories, shape our world.

We should treat them with respect and curiosity. We should use them with care.

[This may also just be writer propaganda, you decide]