According to NPR, spook comes from the Dutch word for apparition, or specter. The noun was first used in English around the turn of the nineteenth century. From there, the word lived a harmless life, ...

Even the most socially agile person can find themselves dumfounded by some of life's more awkward situations. There is no obvious way to deal with a friend negging you or an in-law asking you rude ...

Q. When my children’s mother and I broke up four years ago, we made a pact that we would never go back to court. But as time went on, it got more difficult to discuss things rationally. I know I ...

The wedding invitation often creates the first impression guests receive of the nuptials to come. No wonder everyone wants to get it right. Engaged couples grapple with so many variables – they may be ...

We’ll send you a myFT Daily Digest email rounding up the latest Letter news every morning. Sir, I have a colleague who excels in email etiquette that I believe Lucy Kellaway would favour (“After 15 ...

My wife and I were recently invited for the first time to the neighbour’s cottage for a weekend visit. Late Saturday afternoon, another couple – with whom we were not acquainted – arrived uninvited ...