Generally clickbait (those links that say things like “2 dogs sat on a bench: You won’t believe what happened next!” or “Suzy was only 12—But this is how she amazed her parents!”) doesn’t interest me too much, although I have to admit there are some people who are damned good at it. But occasionally it actually engages me on a level I  am genuinely interested in. Like maps.

And this week Vox.com post a link to 25 maps that explain English that really intrigued me so I soon found myself clicking away like catfish striking at a morsel of PB & J… (Actually I have no idea if catfish like PB & J, but in my imagination I think they would. They seem like that kind of fish.)

This was one of my favourite maps. Now I know where to be less freaked out about travelling to as I hate the idea of being one of those people that speaks English ‘louder’ to try and make myself understood. And, while I try, I suck at languages; just ask C about my ‘Italian’ accent. It might play into L’s hands though as she really, really wants to go to Sweden.

I also learned that a lot of the East coast of Britain used to be swamp, enough so that York and Cambridge looked to be almost coastal cities. I will have to look into it more as I find that concept utterly fascinating.

 

But I encourage you to visit the site and see all the cool maps and graphics that range from where the English language came from to where the major regional dialects are in the U.S. It’s really cool…

http://www.vox.com/2015/3/3/8053521/25-maps-that-explain-english