Grammar Girl Quick and Dirty Tips for Better Writing

Twee pop, bumbershoot, amongst, and more, with Ben Yagoda

Dec 26, 2024

Ben Yagoda, author of "Gobsmacked: The British Invasion of American English," dives into the fascinating evolution of language. He highlights the intriguing origins of terms like "twee" and discusses the cultural implications of spelling variations like "gray" versus "grey." Yagoda also unpacks the historical roots of "football" versus "soccer" and the journey of the word "vet" from veterinary ties to modern usage. Discover why quirky words like "bumbershoot" add flavor to American English and how pop culture influences language adaptations.

14:40

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Ben Yagoda

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Quick takeaways

The term 'twee' originates from a child's pronunciation of 'sweet,' reflecting innocence but predominantly carries a negative connotation today.

The distinction between 'gray' and 'grey' highlights the historical efforts of Noah Webster to create an American identity in language.

Deep dives

Origin and Usage of 'Twee'

The term 'twee' originated from a child's pronunciation of 'sweet,' reflecting its connection to innocence and simplicity. Used predominantly in a negative context, it implies something overly sentimental or precious, embodying a sense of pretentiousness. The podcast highlights that many references to the word are associated with the Scottish band Belle and Sebastian, which is often categorized under the 'Twee Pop' genre. This insight demonstrates how language can evolve and carry cultural meanings based on historical usage and contemporary interpretations.

Intro

4min

The Evolution of Soccer and Vetting: Language Insights

3min

The Evolution of Language: From Military Terms to Modern Usage

4min

Exploring American and British Language Quirks

6min

1042. Today, I have the bonus segment from my interview with Ben Yagoda back in September. Ben is the author of the book "Gobsmacked: The British Invasion of American English," and we talked about the words "twee," "vet," the two spellings of "gray," the surprising origins of "football" and "soccer," and more. Grammarpaloozians who support the show get these segments right when they come out, and in today's really tough podcasting environment, they help us keep going and produce these bonus segments. Many thanks to all of our wonderful Grammarpaloozians!

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