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'Hanged' versus 'Hung.' Is 'pair' singular or plural? Fossilized phrases.

Nov 12, 2024

'Hanged' and 'hung' have different uses that surprise many. The nuances of 'pair' can confuse speakers, especially with its variable singular and plural forms. Delight in the classic phrase 'bated breath' and its charming misinterpretations, rooted in Shakespeare. Discover how archaic words like 'fro' still seep into modern language, showcasing their timeless relevance. Plus, enjoy a humorous familect tale, exploring personal language quirks, and stay tuned for more engaging content!

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Intro

00:00 • 5min

The Complexities of Using 'Pair' and 'Couple' in Language

04:35 • 5min

Unraveling the Mysteries of 'Baited Breath' and Archaic Words

09:08 • 2min

The Enduring Echoes of Archaic Language

11:33 • 5min

Exploring the Joy of Familects and Bonus Content Announcement

16:15 • 4min

The Grammar Daily

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Mignon Fogarty

The Devil's Dictionary

Ambrose Bierce

First published in 1911, 'The Devil's Dictionary' is a collection of satirical definitions written by Ambrose Bierce. The book is a critique of the societal norms and values of Bierce's time, using humor and irony to redefine common words. It is known for its clever and often biting definitions that reflect Bierce's skeptical view of human nature and society.

Garner's modern English usage

Bryan A. Garner

Garner's Modern English Usage is a seminal work in the field of English usage and style. First published in 1998 as 'A Dictionary of Modern American Usage', it has since been expanded to cover English more broadly. The fourth edition, released in 2016, incorporates extensive use of corpus linguistics and Google Ngram data to provide empirical support for its recommendations. The book includes thousands of entries, longer essays on key issues, and detailed explanations of word usage, grammar, and style. It is praised for its balanced approach, avoiding both prescriptive dogma and descriptive relativism, and is considered an indispensable resource for writers, editors, and anyone serious about using English correctly and artfully.

Random House Unabridged Dictionary

Random House

The Random House Webster's Unabridged Dictionary is a seminal work in dictionary publishing, first released in 1966 as The Random House Dictionary of the English Language: The Unabridged Edition. It features over 315,000 entries, 2,400 illustrations, and up-to-date etymologies. The dictionary is designed to meet the needs of students, scholars, professional writers, businesspeople, and anyone interested in the English language. It includes a new-words section, scholarly etymologies, and entries for important people, places, historical events, and more. The second edition, revised in 1993, added new words and meanings, updated definitions, and improved supplementary materials such as maps and an atlas[2][4][5].