Podcast Episodes
Back to Search751 - Why Are There So Many Spellings for 'Hanukkah'? (Or Is That 'Chanukah'?)
Episode 751
Hebrew and English don't use the same alphabet, which is why you see so many different spellings for "Hanukkah." The word is transliterated from Hebr…
6 years, 2 months ago
750 - Pitch Black. Frankincense and Myrrh.
Episode 750
The sky is so dark in the Northern Hemisphere these days that it feels pitch black by 5:00 PM. Here's why call it "pitch black." Also, we know what g…
6 years, 3 months ago
749 - How to Identify Your Main Point. It's Harder Than You Think!
Episode 749
You think you know what you're trying to say, but are you making it clear? Joel Schwartzberg, author of "Get to the Point" has some great tips for, w…
6 years, 3 months ago
748 - Your Language Affects Your Perception of Time. 'Star Wars' Languages.
Episode 748
Do you think of the future as being in front of you or behind you? It might depend on what language you speak. Also, we explore the many languages of…
6 years, 3 months ago
747 - You Don't Have to Get Up on Stage for Improv to Boost Your Creativity
Episode 747
Are you looking for a way to jumpstart your creativity and writing? You may be surprised to find out how much techniques from improv can help! You'll…
6 years, 3 months ago
746 - How to Make Family Names Plural. How Come We Ask 'How Come?'
Episode 746
Making last names plural? Addressing more than one sister-in-law? More than one Mister? We show you how to address them properly. Also, we investigat…
6 years, 3 months ago
745 - 'More Than' Versus 'Over.' Is a Hamburger a Sandwich?
Episode 745
The AP Stylebook changed its stance on using "over" to mean "more than." Plenty of people were shocked, but they shouldn't have been. And then we deb…
6 years, 3 months ago
744 - Cold Turkey, Talk Turkey, and More. The Weird Origin of the Cornucopia.
Episode 744
Have you ever wondered what cold turkey has to do with quitting a habit? We have the answer to that and we look at other turkey idioms. And continuin…
6 years, 3 months ago
743 - How to Get Your Characters Right (Especially When They Aren't Like You)
Episode 743
In this interview, Diana Pho, a two-time Hugo nominated editor with Tor.com Publishing, helped me understand the role of sensitivity readers and how …
6 years, 3 months ago
742 - Famous Quotations. Silent Letters.
Episode 742
You may think that quotation you love came from Plato or G. K. Chesterton, but are you sure? Also, we look at why it's tricky to to figure out why a …
6 years, 4 months ago