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Why leprechauns are shoemakers. The March equinox versus the vernal equinox.
Episode 1168
1168. This week, we look at the word "leprechaun" and its surprisingly wild origin story involving shoemaking, ancient Rome, and wolf-men. Then we lo…
7 hours ago
'Mini' and 'factoid' don't mean what you think, with Jess Zafarris
Episode 1167
1167. In this bonus segment that originally ran for Grammarpaloozians last October, we look at the surprising true origins of words that often fool p…
5 days, 7 hours ago
Is the Academy Awards singular or plural? Writing about time.
Episode 1166
1166. This week, we look the grammar of the Academy Awards and how to avoid an "illogical plot twist" in your sentences. Then, we look at common time…
1 week ago
Mapping the American Tongue: The Dictionary of American Regional English (DARE), with Joan Houston Hall
Episode 1165
1165. Today, we talk with Joan Houston Hall to look at the monumental task of documenting how Americans speak. We look at the Dictionary of American …
1 week, 5 days ago
The history of the octothorpe. Sir Fragalot and sentence fragments. Dribzle.
Episode 1164
1164. This week, we look at the origin of the octothorpe — also known as the pound sign or hashtag — and why it has so many different names. Then, we…
2 weeks ago
How 'be like' took over the world, with Sali Tagliamonte
Episode 1163
1163. This week, we look at what it’s like to be a "language detective" with Sali Tagliamonte and how she used her own teenagers as a research lab. W…
2 weeks, 5 days ago
Why 'Tonka' sounds big and 'bitty' sounds small. Why you CAN start a sentence with 'because.'
Episode 1162
1162. This week, we look at why some names just "feel right" while others don't and how vowels like "ee" create associations with smallness and sweet…
3 weeks ago
WHY WE USE ALL CAPS TO SHOUT, with Glenn Fleishman
Episode 1160
1161. Today, we look at the history of writing in all-uppercase letters. Tech historian Glenn Fleishman explains how capitals transitioned from a sig…
3 weeks, 5 days ago
Draft for Publish on 2026-02-17
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1 month ago
Battle of the moguls. 'Awhile' versus 'a while.' Crittador.
Episode 1160
1160. This week, we look at why "mogul" means both a ski bump and a powerful person. Then, we tackle when to use "awhile" versus "a while," with a tr…
1 month ago