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'Home' for the holidays. False friends. Hello, Dentist.
Episode 1041
1041. Today, we talk about the word "home" and its meaning beyond just a structure, and then we talk about false friends — words in different languag…
1 year, 6 months ago
Struggling with AI: Job loss, energy use, and more, with Christopher Penn
Episode 1040
1040. The downsides of AI bother me a lot — job loss, energy use, and the content tsunami. But I also think it's critically important to understand w…
1 year, 6 months ago
Why people say 'I mean ...' Missing pronouns. Cat-tracted.
Episode 1039
1039. People are saying "I mean" more lately, and we explain what it ... means! Plus, we look at why people leave out pronouns at the beginning of se…
1 year, 6 months ago
Why the new CMOS is yellow. Pandemic collectors editions. And more
Episode 1038
1038. Chicago Manual of Style editors Mary Laur and Russell Harper dish on the changes they wanted in CMOS that didn't make it in, why the stylebook …
1 year, 6 months ago
Positive 'anymore.' 'Wreaked' or 'wrought'? Seat of your pants. Pecan pie.
Episode 1037
1037. This week, we answer a few questions that have popped up from previous episodes: What's up with the "positive anymore"? What is havoc? Is it wr…
1 year, 6 months ago
Making your own dictionary, with Erin McKean
Episode 1036
1036. Erin McKean runs an entire online dictionary with the goal of having ALL the English words. But Wordnik is not only huge, it's also filled with…
1 year, 6 months ago
Good first sentences. The language of 'Gladiator II.' Bear barber.
Episode 1035
1035. This week, we look at famous and amazing first sentences in novels to understand what makes them so compelling, and then we look at the interes…
1 year, 6 months ago
How to write about trademarks. Why we say 'thank you.'
Episode 1034
1034. First, we look at how writers should use trademarked terms like "Kleenex" and "Google," including when to capitalize them and how to avoid lega…
1 year, 7 months ago
Why one creative agency changed its stance on AI
Episode 1033
1033. Last year, Dragonfly Editorial had a "no AI" policy, but since then, they've been experimenting with the technology, and the policy has become …
1 year, 7 months ago
Why children learn languages faster than adults. Are band names singular or plural?
Episode 1032
1032. First, we explore why children pick up languages faster than adults. You’ll learn about the critical period when young brains are best at learn…
1 year, 7 months ago