Grammar Girl Quick and Dirty Tips for Better Writing

Are you "pantless" or "pantsless"? Who (or what) is Beetlejuice?

Nov 5, 2024

Discover the quirky debate over 'pantless' versus 'pantsless' as the podcast navigates the complexities of plural-only nouns like 'pants' and 'scissors.' Dive into the historical roots of 'pants' and learn about its evolution in English. Explore the intriguing origin of 'Beetlejuice,' linking it to mythology and cultural significance. Listen for a laugh with a familect story that showcases how language shapes family communication. It's a playful exploration of grammar that keeps you engaged!

17:14

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Quick takeaways

The use of plural-only nouns like 'pants' can lead to confusion in grammar, notably with the suffix '-less'.

The name 'Beetlejuice' stems from the star Betelgeuse, revealing its deep roots in mythology and historical translations.

Deep dives

Understanding Pluralia Tantum

Certain unique English nouns, known as pluralia tantum, only exist in their plural forms and take plural verbs. Examples include items like pants, scissors, and glasses, which are inherently plural even when referring to a single entity, as in 'Aardvark's pants are brand new.' This grammatical quirk often confuses writers since these nouns challenge traditional singular and plural rules. Nevertheless, relying on intuition typically leads to correct usage, as these nouns rarely sound right with a singular verb.

Intro

2min

The Plural Dilemma: Pants and Scissors

7min

The Evolution and Usage of 'Pantless' and 'Pantsless'

5min

Exploring Betelgeuse and the Power of Language

5min

Reflections on Collaboration and Audience Engagement

2min

1028. This week, we look at the weird situation when you want to add a suffix (such as "-less") to a plural-only noun such as "pants" or "scissors" — with a fun detour for some pants-related idioms. Then, with a new "Beetlejuice" in theaters, we look at the fascinating origin of the name and its role in mythology throughout the ages.

The "pantless" segment is by Jim Norrena, MFA, who has been writing and editing for more than thirty-five years. He’s the founder and principal editor at TypoSuction.com, an independent editing/writing service. He taught grammar and copyediting intensives and professional proofreading workshops at Media Alliance and served as events coordinator for Bay Area Editors’ Forum (BAEF). Visit Linkedin.com/in/jimnorrena/ for his complete work history and highlighted projects.

The "Beetlejuice" segment was written by Samantha Enslen who runs Dragonfly Editorial. You can find her at DragonflyEditorial.com.

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