Lily's Language Lab: 01/18/2026

 Compiled by Lily Randall, Blog Staff Writer

This week's Word of the Week is called "doppelgänger."

Doppelgänger, which comes from the German language, literally means "double-goer." It refers to a double or a look-alike of a living person, appearing to be the person's identical twin. The origin of the term is unknown, but it has been commonly used since the 19th century.

In this digital image created by the Editor, we see Mallory (left), the Editor's cousin, and her doppelganger (right) at a bookstore. (Mallory is the Teen Bookworm Queen, BTW.) ;)

Weekly Haiku: 01/14/2026 -- Happy 12th Birthday to My Blog!

 Today is the 12th birthday of my blog @ https://rhcfortnightlyquotemail.blogspot.com! Here's a special haiku by my cousin Rowan & me!

"Twelve years of blogging.

An edutaining milestone!

Happy Birthday blog!"

Digital image by Yours Truly: My blog co-editor, Sophie, with birthday cake & blue roses!

Image Description:

Sophie, the co-editor of my blog, is seated at a table with a bouquet of blue roses and a birthday cake with the Roman numeral XII (12) on top. The color blue is in the flowers, the vase, the cake, Sophie's outfit, and the party decorations! :)

Lily's Language Lab: 01/11/2026

 Compiled by Lily Randall, Blog Staff Writer & Wortschatzmeisterin

For this week's Word of the Week, I have chosen the word "suzerain."

Suzerain or suzerainty refers to a feudal relationship in which a vassal or subject is subordinate to a sovereign or overlord. The term is derived from the Old French word suzerain, which in turn comes from the Latin phrase, “Superior imperat,” meaning, "The superior commands.”

 

In this digital image by the Editor, we see Nitocris, Queen of Babylon during the 540s BCE, standing in front of Babylon's renowned Ishtar Gate. She was the ruling suzerain of Babylon's extensive empire while her husband, King Nabonidus, was living in the desert oasis of Tema. Her son, Belshazzar, is the Babylonian king who saw the famous "handwriting on the wall" during the night before Babylon fell to Cyrus the Persian (October 29th, 538 BCE). She is referred to as Babylon's queen mother in Daniel 5; she is identified by name in the Histories of Herodotus, who also gives an account of her noteworthy achievements during her suzerainty.

Weekly Haiku: 01/08/2026 -- 1st Birthday Edition!

1st birthday of the weekly haiku! The Editor's cousin Rowan writes:

"A year’s time has passed.

Our haiku partnership thrives!

Two cousins write on!"

Image by the Editor: Rowan with a birthday cake for the Weekly Haiku! Many happy returns! :)

Image Description:

Rowan, the Editor's cousin and collaborator in the Weekly Haiku, sits at a table in an ancient Greek temple. She is wearing royal purple robes and a silver tiara! In front of her on the table is a birthday cake for the Weekly Haiku, with one candle on it. Off to the side, there is a small tablet with an inscription: "Haiku Master Rowan."

Lily's Language Lab: 01/02/2026

 Compiled by Lily Randall, Blog Staff Writer & Wortschatzmeisterin

The word perihelion comes from the Greek words “peri,” which means "near," and “Helios,” which means "Sun.” The perihelion of Earth, also known as the point on our planet's orbit when it is closest to the Sun, will occur on Saturday, January 3rd, 2026. As the Earth reaches its perihelion, it means that the Earth is closest to the Sun.

Digital Image by the Editor:

The ancient Hittite solar goddess Arinna drives the fiery chariot of the Sun across the daytime sky. The Hittite Empire, which flourished in Anatolia (present-day Turkey) during the 2nd millennium BCE, ruled over a diverse group of peoples until it came to an end during the Bronze Age Collapse of Eastern Mediterranean civilizations around 1177 BCE. The Hittite peoples are mentioned several times by the biblical writers of ancient Israel.