Language Corner: What is a pangram?

What is a pangram?  It's a sentence that contains every letter of the English alphabet at least once.  The most well-known pangram is "The quick brown fox jumps over the lazy dog."  It consists of nine words and a total of 35 letters, which is slightly longer than other pangrams.  However, due to its simplicity  and clarity, it is often used for typing practice and to test fonts and computer keyboard layouts.  The origin of this expression can be traced back to February 9, 1885 in The Boston Journal where it appeared as "A quick brown fox jumps over the lazy dog." in an article recommending it as a practice sentence for writing students.  In June of 1885, a similar version appeared in The Mainland Mercury newspaper. The earliest known use of the phrase beginning with "The" can be traced to 1888 in the book Illustrative Shorthand by Linda Bronson and in newspapers such as The Queenslander.

The word "pangram" is derived from the Greek root words "pan," meaning "all," and "gram," which is defined as "something written or recorded."  A perfect pangram is a sentence that contains each letter of the English alphabet only once.  Therefore, "The quick brown fox jumps over the lazy dog." is not a perfect pangram.  It is, however the most popular pangram.  There are, of course, others.  Here are some examples:

"Quick zephyrs blow, vexing daft Jim."

"Mr. Jock, TV quiz PhD bags few lynx," is a perfect pangram, using only the 26 letters of the English alphabet.  Perfect pangrams are extremely rare.

"Six big devils from Japan quickly forgot how to waltz."

"Farmer Jack realized that big yellow quilts were expensive."

"Amazingly, few discotheques provide jukeboxes."

- Joanne

Some good news for Canada amid Trump turmoil

"I feel sorry for Americans.  If you can't be friends with Canada, then you almost certainly do not have a friend anywhere in the world - and that is a very lonely place to be."

- David Eby

Premier of British Columbia

Premier Eby refused to budge on U.S. booze ban.  He proclaimed, "There is not a chance in hell that U.S. alcohol is going back on the shelf in British Columbia."  Good for him!

Eby is right.  Enough is enough!  Canadians must stand united.  Canadians must stand strong and firm against the bullying of the Trump administration.  The survival of our beautiful country depends upon it.  Trump is trying to pound us into submission.  We must show him that we will not submit.  We must demonstrate that we will not relinquish our sovereignty.  We will never become "the 51st state," as Trump wants.

David Eby

It's sad that the relationship between Canada and the United States has become so strained. 
Canada has always been a good friend and neighbour to the United States.  Unfortunately, the current occupant of the White House and his sycophants seems determined to destroy Canada-U.S, relations, and all the good will that has existed between our two countries.  Only Trump could vilify a peaceful, benevolent nations such as Canada.

How are Canadians supposed to deal with an American president who is clearly deranged and demented?  We cannot trust him.  We cannot believe a word he says because he is unstable and volatile.  He changes his mind from one day to the next.  Trump and his enablers blame Canada for everything and have imposed a 50 per cent tariff on Canadian goods, using rarely-invoked Section 338 of the 1930 Smoot-Hawley tariff act.  It doesn't matter to the Trumpers that Smoot Hawley worsened the Great Depression.  

Oh yes, Donald Trump also had the temerity to blame Canada for the devastating wildfires in the country this summer.  Of course, the blustery Trump has conveniently forgotten that Canadian firefighters regularly assist with firefighting efforts in the United States, including a British Columbia helicopter pilot who lost his life on July 12th, while battling wildfires in Colorado.  Trump is also known for his aversion to fighting climate change and conserving the environment.  He thinks its some kind of hoax.

It is beyond the pale that this man is allowed to wreak such havoc on the world, destroying lives, starting an illegal war against Iran that is killing humans and costing billions of dollars.  He had no plan for waging the war and no plan to exit it.  Donald Trump' enablers among Republicans and billionaires will have much to answer for as this dangerous man continues his assault on humanity and all that is good. 

Despite the Trump tariffs, there was some great news for Canada today.  Canadians need to celebrate and revel in it.  Jacob Tsimerman, a University of Toronto professor, has become the first Canadian-based mathematician to win the prestigious Fields Medal, widely considered to be the discipline's equivalent of a Nobel Prize.  The 38-year-old Tsimerman specializes in number theory and related areas.  Congratulations, prof!  You have made Canada proud.  By the way, Tsimerman is an immigrant to Canada, originally from Russia.

Jacob Tsimerman

My gratitude to all the decent Americans who defend Canada against such bullying, and a special thanks to Democratic Senator Patty Murray (Washington) for calling Republican criticism of Canada's wildfire management insulting and ridiculous.  She said to blame climate change, not Canada.

- Joanne            

What's wrong with the Blue Jays?

There's no way to sugarcoat it.  The Toronto Blue Jays have been a huge disappointment this season.  I know they've had to deal with major injuries, but still.  . . . It feels as if last year's magical World Series run was just a dream and we're rerunning that regrettable 2024 season.  The Blue Jays are back in the basement of the American League East again.  What has happened?  The Jays don't seem to be playing as a cohesive unit.  Yes, the injuries have taken their toll, but the team is just playing miserably.  The players seem listless.  

With a record of 46 wins and 56 losses the Blue Jays are currently in fifth and last place in their division.  Their winning percentage is only .451 and they are 13.5 games behind the first place Tampa Bay Rays, a team that really has their number.

Fans wonder what is wrong with Vladimir Guerrero Jr.  As I write this, it's July 23rd, and Vladdy has yet to hit a home run at Rogers Centre this season.  That's right!  His last home run at the dome was on October 19, 2025,  Incredibly, he has not hit any homers in Toronto since then.  In fact, he has only hit a mere six dingers so far this season.  He was recently booed by Toronto fans.      

Vladdy must be quite upset and frustrated with himself.  However, the fact remains that he has failed to produce this season.  Where is the powerful slugger who hit 43 homers in 2021, the player who led the league in home runs that year.  I realize that players have slumps, but this goes beyond a slump.  Fans kept waiting for him to break out of it, but he hasn't done it.

Vladdy Jr.

It's not all Vladdy's fault, though.  His struggles, however, encapsulate the ineffectiveness of the Blue Jays' season.  Other players are also struggling.  For example, Kevin Gausman and Daulton Varsho are not playing up to par.  Whenever the Jays seem about to improve, they fall back down again.  They just haven't been able to stay steady at .500.  Since the All-Star break, they have been pathetic.  It's not for lack of fan support.  The dome is packing over 40,000 for a last place team.  That won't continue if the Jays finish the season this way.

There are only a few bright spots.  Louis Varland is arguably the best closer in the American League.  He has recorded an impressive 20 saves this season.  His ERA is a splendid 1.08.  Third baseman Kazuma Okamoto leads the Jays in home runs with 22 so far.

The trade deadline is approaching.  We'll see what happens.  The current situation is not sustainable.

- Joanne

An open letter to Prime Minister Mark Carney

 Dear Prime Minister

Canada is in crisis.  It would be an excellent idea address the nation as soon as possible.  By that, I mean a special televised television address.  I realize that you have a lot on your plate right now, but the wildfires are a top priority. Canada is literally on fire.  This has to be strongly confronted as soon as possible.  I am not just talking about sending out more firefighters and water bombers.  Although necessary, that's merely a band aid solution.  Concrete measures must be put forth by your government.  Unless we are proactive, there will be more wildfires next year and the year after.  We need to combat the root causes of climate change ahead of the consequences.

How much more evidence is needed that climate change is here, that it is real, and that it poses a real threat to our collective health and the future of our planet - not to mention the added costs of health care costs caused by air pollution?  I live in Toronto where temperatures have been soaring this summer, and there have been days when my city had the worst air quality in the world, due to raging wildfires in Ontario. As you'll recall, the evening Canada Day celebrations in Ottawa were cancelled due to poor weather conditions.

Mr. Prime Minister, Canada needs you to show the utmost leadership on the issue of the environment and climate change.  This is an opportune time for you to take charge.  In the past, you have shown great concern about climate change.  However, the environment wasn't even a major issue in the last election, except for the removal of the carbon tax.

Mr. Carney, where is the man who launched a global banking group to fight climate change?  In your 2025 year-end interview with CBC News, you stated that Canada has too much regulation and not enough energy and technology investments to meet emission targets.  Speaking to CBC's chief political correspondent, Rosemary Barton, you called for action because "I care about the issue fundamentally, I care about what gets done.  Not what is put in regulation, not what is said, not what is prohibited - and then nothing happens."

Why are you, once a climate change crusader, now talking about pipelines instead of green energy and ridding the world of fossil fuels?  This is your moment to shine, Mr. Prime Minister.  It's your chance for you to make this great country everything it should be, even in the face of so many challenges.  We can't just shrug and turn on our air conditioners.  What about the people who have asthma, emphysema, respiratory problems and allergies?

A lonely nations waits for you, Prime Minister.

I write this as a concerned citizen.

Respectfully,

Joanne Madden