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Namesake. Commentate. Sprigly
Episode 950
950. Nowthen, a town with an odd little name, helps us understand the word "namesake," and then I have some surprising poll results about the much-ha…
2 years, 5 months ago
How to write great topic sentences. Fanilects. Throwawayable.
Episode 949
949. Topic sentences aren't just for students! This week, we have real-life, grown-up examples — and you'll finally understand why that concept your …
2 years, 5 months ago
When 'nice' was bad and 'bully' was good. Is 'preorder' redundant? High-intensity transformer.
Episode 948
948. Think you know where words like "bully," "nice," and "bimbo" come from? Think again! Join me as we explore surprising origins of common words. W…
2 years, 5 months ago
Think faster and talk smarter. Tips from Matt Abrahams that will make you a better writer and speaker
Episode 947
947. Do you wish you could think on your feet faster? Well, Stanford business professor and communication expert Matt Abrahams has insights on having…
2 years, 5 months ago
Did Disney nail the pronunciation of 'Caribbean'? How to write equations. Chuther.
Episode 946
946. It's Talk Like a Pirate Day, which brings to mind "Pirates of the Caribbean," but you can actually pronounce "Caribbean" at least two different …
2 years, 6 months ago
Asking experts about language (interview with Steve Kleinedler, former executive editor of the American Heritage Dictionary Usage Panel)
Episode 945
945. What was the famous Usage Panel from the American Heritage Dictionary and how did the panel's opinions influence dictionary entries? Steve Klein…
2 years, 6 months ago
When you shouldn't 'write tight.' 'Behead' versus 'decapitate.' YesHony.
Episode 944
944. Today, we untangle the often confusing web of writing styles. We'll explore the benefits of loose writing in fiction, creative writing, and acad…
2 years, 6 months ago
Say hwat?! 'Anxious' versus 'eager.' Pink stein.
Episode 943
943. Join us for a fascinating romp through the evolution of phrases like "you know," "right?" and "I mean" from Beowulf's time to today. Plus, we lo…
2 years, 6 months ago
The wonders of the 'a-' prefix in English. 'Personal' versus 'personnel.'
Episode 942
942. We’re diving deep into the chameleon-like nature of the "a-" prefix, tracing its journey from Latin, where it often started out as "ad-," to its…
2 years, 6 months ago
Hilarious typos (and how to avoid them). Why do we 'take' a walk?
Episode 941
941. Whether you've been betrayed by autocorrect or your own fingers, almost everyone has made embarrassing typos. Even the Bible isn't immune: typos…
2 years, 7 months ago