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Why we misuse ‘literally.’ How ham radio got its name. District
Episode 1057
1057. Why do people use "literally" when they mean "figuratively"? This week, we look at how the meaning of "literally" changed over time. Plus, we l…
1 year, 6 months ago
How to be a ghostwriter, with Dan Gerstein
Episode 1056
1056. Ghostwriting is more than just anonymous book writing — it’s a thriving industry. Dan Gerstein, founder of Gotham Ghostwriters, shares how writ…
1 year, 6 months ago
Why some holidays have apostrophes. Why Californians say ‘the 405.’ MIGD
Episode 1055
1055. Ever wonder why some holidays have apostrophes while others don’t? We look at Mother’s Day, Veterans Day, and Presidents’ Day. Then, we look at…
1 year, 6 months ago
Word games and the joy of playing every day, with Lex Friedman
Episode 1054
1054. Ever wonder what goes into designing daily word games? Lex Friedman, creator of Lex.games, shares his journey from puzzle lover to puzzle maker…
1 year, 6 months ago
'Toeing' the line. Metonymy versus synecdoche. Ghost town mad
Episode 1053
1053. If you’ve ever hesitated between ‘toe the line’ and ‘tow the line,’ this episode is for you. We look at the phrase's history to clear up the co…
1 year, 6 months ago
Wordplay and cartoons: Inside the making of 'AB@C,' with Rob Meyerson and Dan Misdea
Episode 1052
1052. What do “CDB” and “U11 2” have in common? They’re both examples of gramograms!
This week, I chat with writer Rob Meyerson and New Yorker cartoo…
1 year, 6 months ago
Does 'book-book' make sense? Fun words for jigsaw lovers. Chilly chickens.
Episode 1051
1051. This week, we look at doubled words, like "salad-salad" or "job-job," and what the repetition is actually telling us. Then, in honor of Nationa…
1 year, 6 months ago
The secret to writing a good memoir, with Wendy Dale
Episode 1050
1050. This week, I talk with Wendy Dale, author of "The Memoir Engineering System," about how to write a compelling memoir. We look at the differenc…
1 year, 7 months ago
Quotation marks in 1906. Starting stories in the middle. Road trip words.
Episode 1049
1049. I came across a hilarious entry about quotation marks in an old usage guide and had to share it. Then, we look at a technique that can work fo…
1 year, 7 months ago
'Rebel with a Clause,' the movie, with Ellen Jovin and Brandt Johnson
Episode 1048
1048. Ellen Jovin set up a folding table on the street in all 50 U.S. states to talk with people about grammar, which led to the book "Rebel with a C…
1 year, 7 months ago