Podcast Episodes
Back to Search
813 - The History of National Grammar Day. My Favorite Resources. Anniversity
Episode 813
Have you ever wondered WHY we celebrate National Grammar Day? Who started this thing anyway? And if you want to do your own grammar research, I'll he…
5 years, 3 months ago
812 - Kibosh. Sidekicks. Misolation.
Episode 812
The origin of "kibosh" is a long-standing mystery in the English language. Yiddish? A whip? Clog-makers tools? We investigate. Also, sidekicks play i…
5 years, 4 months ago
811 - Inigo Montoya and Coining Phrases. 'Dose' or 'Dosage'?
Episode 811
Coin a phrase? It does not mean what you think it means. And get your dose (or dosage?) right.
Subscribe to the newsletter for regular updates.
Watch …
5 years, 4 months ago
810 - Words out of Time. Why 'OK' Is OK.
Episode 810
Would words and phrases like "operative" and "pump him for information" be out of place in a novel set in the 1800s? We investigate! And we also look…
5 years, 4 months ago
809 - Rethink Descriptions Like 'Diabetic.' The Wonderful World of Italics,
Episode 809
Should you call someone a diabetic or a person with diabetes? Also, are you confused about when to use italics? We have the basics (and something tha…
5 years, 4 months ago
808 - 6 Latin Abbreviations You Should Know. 'Imply' or 'Infer'?
Episode 808
6 Latin Abbreviations You Should Know. 'Imply' or 'Infer'?
Subscribe to the newsletter for regular updates.
Watch my LinkedIn Learning writing course.…
5 years, 5 months ago
807 - Why We Call Them Sea 'Shanties.' A Trick to Remember How to Spell 'Conscience'
Episode 807
If you're enjoying sea shanties these days, have you wondered why they're called "shanties"? Plus, I always have a hard time remembering how to spell…
5 years, 5 months ago
806 - Why You Should Try Fanfiction. How to Find Tricky Pronunciations.
Episode 806
Why writing fanfiction can make you a better overall writer. Plus, my tricks for figuring out tricky pronunciations.
Subscribe to the newsletter for r…
5 years, 5 months ago
805 - 'Acedia': the lost name for the emotion we're all feeling right now
Episode 805
"Acedia": the lost name for the emotion we're all feeling right now. Plus, when does "thank you" need a hyphen?
Subscribe to the newsletter for regula…
5 years, 5 months ago
804 - Another Think/Thing Coming. 'Sanction,' 'Cleave,' 'Dust,' and More
Episode 804
Are Americans ruining the put-down "You've got another think coming," or was it the British band Judas Priest? Also, everyone loves Janus words like …
5 years, 6 months ago