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Paraprosdokian Numerous readers better acquainted with rhetorical devices pointed out that para prosdokian does occur in classical Greek literature as a phrase meaning "contrary to expectations". The final n on the noun marks the accusative case that followed the preposition para; it doesn't indicate an adjective, as a writer that I quoted in the piece suggested. What has changed in modern times is that the two Greek words have rather barbarously been run together to make one word. It would be better as paraprosdokia, using the root form of the noun. That word does occasionally appear in scholarly literature, though it's not in any of my dictionaries either. A revised version of the piece is on the website.

Words of the year We haven't quite reached the end of this season's lists, as the Macquarie Dictionary of Australia has yet to announce its findings (it has a strange idea that we should wait until the year is over before summarising its lexicographical highlights). Nevertheless, I've written a summary of the Words of 2011.

Competition update Your votes last week instantly put World Wide Words into the lead in the Macmillan Dictionary contest for the 2011 Best Website About the English Language. We have almost twice as many votes as the nearest contender. Many thanks to you all. But the situation can change quickly, so if you haven't yet voted, please do so. (Currently World Wide Words is on page two of the list.)