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What's up with Splooting? Capitalizing Titles. Momilltellya.
Episode 889
889. Splooting squirrels have taken the internet by storm. We look at where this fun word comes from and how far back it goes. Plus, I help you decid…
4 years ago
How Gendered Languages Are Changing. Jugopop.
Episode 888
888. This week we take a fascinating look at how highly gendered languages are dealing with the drive to become more inclusive. Plus, we look at the …
4 years ago
How Using Pliers Improves Your Language. Weird Possessives. Ducky File.
Episode 887
887. An amazing study shows that tool use and language are connected in the brain and shows how using one can make you better at the other, and vice …
4 years ago
A Riotous Good Time with Ellen Jovin of the Grammar Table
Episode 886
886. The delightful Ellen Jovin of the Grammar Table (you may have seen her sitting on the street answering grammar questions in your city) joined me…
4 years, 1 month ago
Ripe. Lede. Prevent. Awesome. Fulsome. MacGuffin. Daisy.
Episode 885
885. It's time for our quarterly listener question extravaganza! I answer your questions about the words "ripe," "lede," "prevent," "awesome," and "f…
4 years, 1 month ago
Why Nobody Says 'You're Welcome' Anymore. Whose. Chimichanga.
Episode 884
884. People often ask why people say "no worries" or "no problem" instead of "you're welcome," and we actually found an answer! Also, we look at whet…
4 years, 1 month ago
Code-Switching. Mignon Snaps Over Numbers. Foomp.
Episode 883
883. The numbers sections of style books finally pushed me over the edge, and I have some stories you won't believe! We also talk about how cool code…
4 years, 1 month ago
Surprising Words Related to 'Freedom.' Double Subjects. Foop.
Episode 882
882. For Independence Day, we look at the word "freedom" and the surprising words that came from the same roots. Plus, we look at odd sentences with …
4 years, 1 month ago
'Ant' or 'Ahnt'? Capitalizing Cocktail Names. Archie Bunker.
Episode 881
881. What's up with the fancy-schmancy "ahnt" pronunciation of the word "aunt"? And why are the rules about capitalizing cocktail names so wonky? We…
4 years, 2 months ago
The Many Meanings of 'Father.' How Watergate Changed English. Punim
Episode 880
880. "Father" as a word shows how we humans love to extend our metaphors. Did you know it was only relatively recently that priests were referred to…
4 years, 2 months ago