Grammar Girl Quick and Dirty Tips for Better Writing

When 'nice' was bad and 'bully' was good. Is 'preorder' redundant? High-intensity transformer.

Oct 3, 2023

Explore the surprising origins and changes in meaning of words like 'bully' and 'nice'. Learn about the illogical but helpful practice of preordering books. Discover the current usage of words like 'berserker' and 'amok'. Find out how preorders impact bookstores and bestseller lists. Hear a familect story about adopting a phrase from a live news control room.

16:28

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Quick takeaways

The word 'bully' had a positive meaning in earlier times, referring to a lover or a term of endearment, but its meaning shifted to describe someone who is aggressive and intimidates others.

The word 'nice' originally meant silly or foolish, and even had connotations of immorality, but eventually took on a more positive meaning, associated with being agreeable or pleasant.

Deep dives

Surprising History of Words: Bully and Nice

In the podcast, it is revealed that the word 'bully' had a positive meaning in earlier times, referring to a lover or a term of endearment. However, over time, its meaning shifted to describe someone who is aggressive and intimidates others. On the other hand, the word 'nice' originally meant silly or foolish, and even had connotations of immorality. But eventually, the word took on a more positive meaning, associated with being agreeable or pleasant. These examples illustrate how words can change in meaning over time, either through semantic pejoration or semantic amelioration.

Introduction

3min

Evolution of Word Meanings

8min

Shift in Meaning of 'Berserker' and 'Amok', Malay Borrowed Words, and Advertisements for Rosetta Stone and Bombus

3min

Bombus Socks and the Importance of Pre-Ordering Books

4min

Expressing Feelings in the Control Room

4min

948. Think you know where words like "bully," "nice," and "bimbo" come from? Think again! Join me as we explore surprising origins of common words. We'll see how terms like "bully" and "nice" changed meaning over time, how "bimbo" switched genders, and where oddly violent words like "amok" and "berserk" originated. Plus, did you know "soon" once meant "immediately"? Learn these twists and turns in the curious histories of familiar words!

Plus, we look at the publishing industry meaning of "preordering" books and how it helps authors get on bestseller lists, even though some find the term illogical. And explain why you should preorder books to support your author friends.

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