Podcast Episodes
Back to Search791 - 'Although' Versus 'While.' Why We Write with Cliches (and How to Stop)
Episode 791
What happens when I discover that my pet peeve is wrong? Also, why do we write with cliches? Should we stop, and if so, how?
Read the transcript: Alt…
5 years, 5 months ago
790 - 'Laureate' Is Good. Why Is 'Resting on Your Laurels' Bad? 'Smarmy.'
Episode 790
If getting laurels is good, and being a Nobel laureate is good, how did we get to "resting on your laurels" being bad? Also, we learn that the word "…
5 years, 5 months ago
789 - How to Make Your Readers Laugh. 'Whoa' or 'Woah'?
Episode 789
Believe it or not, there are actually rules to being funny. Also, do you think "woah" is a separate word from "whoa"? Some people do, and they think …
5 years, 6 months ago
788 - Why 'Out of Pocket' Means Both 'Inappropriate' and 'Unavailable'
Episode 788
People have been asking about the "unavailable" meaning of "out of pocket" for decades, but there's also an "inappropriate" meaning that is spreading…
5 years, 6 months ago
787 - Why We Associate Political Parties with the Colors Red and Blue
Episode 787
Nick and Hannah explain "red" and "blue," the origin of "POTUS," why the Declaration of Independence is the greatest break-up letter ever written, an…
5 years, 6 months ago
786 - 'Doomscrolling' (OK, Doomer). 'Each Other' or 'One Another'?
Episode 786
Whether you call it "doomscrolling" or "doomsurfing," it's not your fault that you feel compelled to do it. "Doom" has an interesting history though.…
5 years, 6 months ago
785 - 'Gantlet' or 'Gauntlet'? Do You Want to Say 'Had Went'?
Episode 785
Have you been told to write "run the GANTLET"? Here's why you shouldn't. Also, editor Ben Yagoda explains why he's so tempted to use "had went" inste…
5 years, 7 months ago
784 - A Historical Tip for Remembering When to Use 'Historical.' Put More Thought into Your Punctuation.
Episode 784
Kamala Harris's selection as Joe Biden's running mate is important, significant, and a number of firsts, but should we call it "historic" or "histori…
5 years, 7 months ago
783 - How Hurricanes Get Their Names. When You Should Avoid Using Contractions.
Episode 783
Isaias. Mitch. Andrew. Jimena. How hurricanes get their names, and why you'll see some names twice and others never again. Also, have you ever heard …
5 years, 7 months ago
782 - What are those dots over letters? Why does 'money' have a plural, and how do you spell it?
Episode 782
What are those double dots over letters in English? Why does "money" have a plural, and how do you spell it?
Read the transcripts: Diaeresis. 'Monies…
5 years, 7 months ago