by Peter Scotchmer | Sep 8, 2026 | Essays
Peter writes his sixth essay on the ‘abusage’ of language, an affliction all too rampant today. Polonius: What do you read, my lord? Hamlet: Words, words, words. Polonius: What is the matter, my lord? Hamlet: Between who? Polonius: I mean, the matter that...
by Peter Scotchmer | Aug 25, 2026 | Stories
Peter Scotchmer’s latest short story introduces us to Wilf Wolflinger, apparently the smartest man on the street. My name is Wilf Wolflinger. You might have heard of me. I used to write travel books, but I’m too old for that now. My travelling days– to...
by Peter Scotchmer | Aug 11, 2026 | Essays
Polonius: What do you read, my lord? Hamlet: Words, words, words. Polonius: What is the matter, my lord? Hamlet: Between who? Polonius: I mean, the matter that you read, my lord. What follows is a review of two outstanding recent books on the value of reading, which...
by Peter Scotchmer | Jul 21, 2026 | Essays
Peter writes his fourth essay on the love of reading and the perils of speedreading. Read on! Polonius: What do you read, my lord? Hamlet: Words, words, words. Polonius: What is the matter, my lord? Hamlet: Between who? Polonius: I mean, the matter that you read, my...
by Peter Scotchmer | Jun 16, 2026 | Essays
Polonius: What do you read, my lord? Hamlet: Words, words, words. Polonius: What is the matter, my lord? Hamlet: Between who? Polonius: I mean, the matter that you read, my lord. (Hamlet, II, ii) As part of The Ironist’s continuing series of articles on language and...