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Are em dashes really a sign of AI writing? 'Caretaker' vs. 'caregiver'
Episode 1091
1091. Is the em dash a sign of AI writing? I looked at where the idea comes from, and we have the final answer! Then, we look at the difference betw…
1 year ago
What your hands are saying (even when you’re not thinking about it), with Lauren Gawne
Episode 1090
1090. Your hands may be saying more than your words. Lauren Gawne explains how gestures shape communication, how they differ across cultures, and why…
1 year ago
‘Further’ vs. ‘farther.’ Why designers use fake Latin. Blondie hot
Episode 1089
1089. Do you wonder when you should use "further" or "farther"? We have the answer (where there is one). Then, you’ve seen lorem ipsum everywhere, bu…
1 year ago
What AI means for writers and editors, with Daniel Heuman
Episode 1088
1088. He says he hates AI writing, but he's also the CEO of the company behind Draftsmith, an AI editing tool. Today, I talk with Daniel Heuman about…
1 year ago
'The' rules you never learned. Why did Latin die?
Episode 1087
1087. You use the word "the" hundreds of times a day, but are you pronouncing it wrong? Today I have the rules I never learned about whether to say “…
1 year ago
The publishing world is changing. Jane Friedman tells us how.
Episode 1086
1086. What does it really take to earn a living as a writer? Jane Friedman explains the multiple paths writers take — from speaking and consulting to…
1 year, 1 month ago
Why 'plz' might be pushing people away. How to write better thank-you notes. Studaloo
Episode 1085
1085. Do abbreviations like “plz” and “ty” actually make your texts feel less sincere? New research suggests they might. We explore how shortened wor…
1 year, 1 month ago
Why simplified spelling nearly took over America (and why it didn't), with Gabe Henry
Episode 1084
1084. This week, Gabe Henry talks about his new book, "Enough Is Enuf," and the long, strange quest to simplify English spelling. Learn why the "Chic…
1 year, 1 month ago
Why 'wake' is so confusing. The playful language of vacations.
Episode 1083
1083. Is it "woke," "woken," or "waked"? We break down why the verb "wake" is one of the trickiest in English, with four competing forms and centurie…
1 year, 1 month ago
Ambrose Bierce, from ‘The Devil’s Dictionary’ to disappearing in Mexico, with Jim Norrena
Episode 1082
1082. Copy editor Jim Norrena joins us this week for a conversation about Ambrose Bierce, his famous "Devil's Dictionary," and his darkly funny take …
1 year, 1 month ago