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'Beer' words in the OED, with Fiona McPherson
Episode 1031
1031. This week, Fiona McPherson from the Oxford English Dictionary talks about the latest “beer” words added to the OED, from “boozeroo” to “beerage…
1 year, 7 months ago
'Hanged' versus 'Hung.' Is 'pair' singular or plural? Fossilized phrases.
Episode 1030
1030. This week, we look at why "hang" has two past-tense forms: "hanged" and "hung." (And why I keep messing them up!) Then we expand on why "pair" …
1 year, 7 months ago
The psychology of writing bestsellers, with Jennifer Lynn Barnes
Episode 1029
1029. This week, I talk with Jennifer Lynn Barnes, author of the bestselling "Inheritance Games" series and a former psychology professor, about the …
1 year, 7 months ago
Are you "pantless" or "pantsless"? Who (or what) is Beetlejuice?
Episode 1028
1028. This week, we look at the weird situation when you want to add a suffix (such as "-less") to a plural-only noun such as "pants" or "scissors" —…
1 year, 7 months ago
How linguists solve crimes, with Natalie Schilling
Episode 1027
1027. This week, I talk with forensic linguist Natalie Schilling about how people's language gives them away — in manifestos, ransom notes, text mess…
1 year, 8 months ago
From Guy Fawkes to Guido Fawkes. Tales from the crypt (and catacombs, mausoleums, and ossuaries). Taquitos
Episode 1026
1026. This week, we look at the origins of words for men, including the ancient roots of "man," the surprising evolution of the word "guy" from being…
1 year, 8 months ago
The language of meetings, with Jim Slaughter
Episode 1025
1025. Have you ever wondered where meeting terms like “quorum” or “proxy” come from? In this episode, Jim Slaughter looks at the linguistic origins a…
1 year, 8 months ago
Why don't we say 'I'm smarter than YOU'RE'? The language of fear. Catherineisms.
Episode 1024
1024. It often sounds weird if you try to end a sentence with a contraction like "you're" and "I'm." We look at why! Then, get ready for Halloween wi…
1 year, 8 months ago
Feeling stuck? Anne Lamott's here to kickstart your writing!
Episode 1023
1023. I felt like I could write anything after this discussion with Anne Lamott about painful first drafts, beating perfectionism, and the one thing…
1 year, 8 months ago
Quack! What's a lame duck? A German punctuation kerfuffle.
Episode 1022
1022. This week, we look at election terms like “president-elect” and “lame duck” and how they're used during a U.S. presidential transition. Then, I…
1 year, 8 months ago