Alga, bacterium, and criterion have all become fossils, if you will.

In the UK at least, these are still the only correct singular forms. The use of criteria as singular is a common error, but an error nonetheless.

. . . what common noun has
a plural (archaic) with which it
shares no letters?

cow > kine?

Speaking of pronunciation, I'd quibble with the pronunciation given here. I don't think the 'r' should be repeated: her -o-win. The British pronunciation is more like " her -o-in". Listening to the US pronunciation provided, I note that the 'o' is virtually a schwa, necessitating a slight...

Stand Up, Stand Up for Jesus Stand up, stand up for Jesus, Ye soldiers of the Lord! Arise, ye able seamen, And boldly march aboard! Ye captains and commanders, Prepare your plans of war; Let all be brave and steadfast Amid the pools of gore. Though stony is the highway That leads us to success, Our...

The second sense is still around, though: "The arts festival is a secular affair that has continued annually since its inception in 1971." I think this is quite a rare use of "secular". I would certainly have interpreted it as 'nonreligious' in the above quote. The link between ...

Abide With Me Abide with me; fast falls the eventide. Night-time approaches; wilt thou be my guide? Demons abound, and perils hard to see. Lord, on life's gloomy course, abide with me. Dusk heralds darkness; age portends the grave. Lead me, my blind and anxious soul to save! Steer me to morning, an...

episcopal

Relating to a bishop.

From Greek (via Latin) meaning "watcher, overseer".

"Episcopal" is etymologically related to the word "bishop".

Now Thank We All Our God Now thank we all our God With fervent choral beauty. Let us with hymns discharge Our laudatory duty. For absent his support, Our body, mind and soul Would surely disappear Down the infernal hole. How mighty is his grace That he should save us sinners And fill the land and s...

Morning has Broken Morning has broken Like the first morning, We have awoken Like the first apes. Everything rises Out of its slumber; Birds of all sizes, Beasts of all shapes. In the beginning God in his wisdom Set the world spinning As he deemed right; By its rotation Flora and fauna Of his creat...

There is a rare word 'ignoral' (see, for example, Wiktionary) which may fit better here.

Dear Lord and Father of Mankind Dear Lord and Father of mankind, O pardon us who stray! Assist us through the daily grind That we may consolation find, And teach us how to pray, And teach us how to pray! We cherish thy resounding word And hold the Bible dear, But let us not be cheaply stirred By lo...

We plough the fields... We plough the fields with horses Or lately with machines, And fertilize the acres By artificial means. But we are still reliant On God's essential art, The ever-changing weather Which plays its vital part. All good gifts around us Are sent by Godly grace, So thank the Lord, ...

The Lord's my Shepherd The Lord's my shepherd; he will guide My soul on virtuous ways, By streams where water nymphs reside And fields where I may graze. Toward the poisoned grass of sin My ovine heart may veer; Then with his crook he'll draw me in And make the true path clear. When I approach the ...

What do you think about the double copula (e.g. "The thing is, is that...)? Here is what Wikipedia says: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Double_copula Apparently it originated in the United States around 1971 and had spread to the United Kingdom by 1987. It is a contagious habit which I find reall...

irritate

To provoke, physically or mentally: (1) to make sore, itchy or painful; (2) to annoy.

From Latin.