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The sinful fork (and other dinner-table surprises)
Episode 1136
1136. This week, we go full Thanksgiving, talking about the origin of butter knives, forks, and more. You'll love all the tidbits you can share with …
8 months, 3 weeks ago
Why print dictionaries still matter, with Peter Sokolowski
Episode 1135
1135. This week, we talk with Peter Sokolowski, editor at large at Merriam-Webster, about the new print 12th Collegiate Dictionary. We look at why pr…
9 months ago
Personification in language and AI. Dictums, maxims, and proverbs. Expensitive.
Episode 1134
1134. This week, we look at the poetic power of personification (the language quirk that gives human traits to nonhuman things) and why style guides …
9 months ago
The secret rules of crossword puzzles, with Natan Last
Episode 1133
1133. This week, crossword pro Natan Last talks about his book "Across the Universe." We look at the technical and cultural differences between Ameri…
9 months, 1 week ago
How '23 skidoo' & 'at sixes and sevens' are related to '6-7.'
Episode 1132
1132. This week, in honor of Dictionary.com choosing "6-7" as its Word of the Year, we look at the origin of other number phrases: "23 skidoo" and "a…
9 months, 1 week ago
What a ‘Science' magazine experiment says about the future of AI in journalism, with Abigail Eisenstadt
Episode 1131
1131. This week, we talk with ‘Science' magazine senior writer Abigail Eisenstadt about her team's year-long experiment testing ChatGPT's ability to …
9 months, 2 weeks ago
What Roman togas have to do with today's elections. 'Home in' versus 'hone in.'
Episode 1130
1130. This week, we look at words related to elections, and then I help you remember the difference between "home in" and "hone in" with a tip that i…
9 months, 2 weeks ago
Finding the true history of words, with Ben Zimmer
Episode 1129
1129. This week, we talk with Ben Zimmer about the linguistic detective work of antedating words — finding earlier usages than those published in dic…
9 months, 3 weeks ago
‘Ghost words’ and their history. Rules for ‘between’ and ‘among.’ Wilsoning.
Episode 1128
1128. This week, in honor of Halloween, we look at “ghost words” and phrases, from “ghost runners” in baseball to “ghost forests” made by earthquakes…
9 months, 3 weeks ago
How to be a ‘feisty freelancer,’ with Suzanne Bowness
Episode 1127
1127. This week, we talk with Suzanne Bowness about creating a successful life as a writer. We look at high-value industries that are good targets fo…
9 months, 4 weeks ago