Grammar Girl Quick and Dirty Tips for Better Writing

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 print still matters, how the dictionary used lookup data to decide which words to drop (least looked-up compounds), and the importance of serendipity when researching words in a physical book.Find Peter on BlueSky.🔗 Share your familect recording in a WhatsApp chat or at 833-214-4475.🔗 Watch my LinkedIn Learning writing courses.🔗 Subscribe to the newsletter.🔗 Take our advertising survey. 🔗 Get the edited transcript.🔗 Get Grammar Girl books. 🔗 Join Grammarpalooza. Get ad-free and bonus episodes at Apple Podcasts or Subtext. Learn more about the difference. | HOST: Mignon Fogarty| VOICEMAIL: 833-214-GIRL (833-214-4475).| Grammar Girl is part of the Quick and Dirty Tips podcast network.Audio Engineer: Dan FeierabendDirector of Podcast: Holly HutchingsAdvertising Operations Specialist: Morgan ChristiansonMarketing and Video: Nat Hoopes, Rebekah Sebastian| Theme music by Catherine Rannus.| Grammar Girl Social Media: YouTube. TikTok. Facebook.Threads. Instagram. LinkedIn. Mastodon. Bluesky. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

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 advise against using it for AI. Then, we look at the different names for common sayings, defining a proverb and breaking down the four main types: maxim, adage, dictum, and truism.The personification segment was written by Karen Lunde, a longtime writer and editor turned web designer and marketing mentor. Solo service business owners come to her for websites where beautiful design meets authentic words that actually build connections. Find her at chanterellemarketingstudio.com.The proverbs segment was written by Jim Norrena, MFA, who has been writing, editing, and leading grammar and proofreading workshops for more than thirty-five years. He founded TypoSuction.com, an independent editorial service, and is a member of Bay Area Editors’ Forum. He also serves on the board of Professional Publishers Network. You can find him at LinkedIn.🔗 Share your familect recording in a WhatsApp chat.🔗 Watch my LinkedIn Learning writing courses.🔗 Subscribe to the newsletter.🔗 Take our advertising survey. 🔗 Get the edited transcript.🔗 Get Grammar Girl books. 🔗 Join Grammarpalooza. Get ad-free and bonus episodes at Apple Podcasts or Subtext. Learn more about the difference. | HOST: Mignon Fogarty| VOICEMAIL: 833-214-GIRL (833-214-4475).| Grammar Girl is part of the Quick and Dirty Tips podcast network.Audio Engineer: Dan FeierabendDirector of Podcast: Holly HutchingsAdvertising Operations Specialist: Morgan ChristiansonMarketing and Video: Nat Hoopes, Rebekah Sebastian| Theme music by Catherine Rannus.| Grammar Girl Social Media: YouTube. TikTok. Facebook. Threads. Instagram. LinkedIn. Mastodon. Bluesky. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

1133. This week, crossword pro Natan Last talks about his book "Across the Universe." We look at the technical and cultural differences between American and British puzzle styles and the secrets that will surprise you about how clues are written and edited. We also look at "crosswordese," the long submission process for the “New York Times,” and the AI that won a human crossword tournament.Find Natan Last at Natanlast.com.Get the book, "Across the Universe."🔗 Share your familect recording in a WhatsApp chat or at 833-214-4475.🔗 Watch my LinkedIn Learning writing courses.🔗 Subscribe to the newsletter.🔗 Take our advertising survey. 🔗 Get the edited transcript.🔗 Get Grammar Girl books. 🔗 Join Grammarpalooza. Get ad-free and bonus episodes at Apple Podcasts or Subtext. Learn more about the difference. | HOST: Mignon Fogarty| VOICEMAIL: 833-214-GIRL (833-214-4475).| Grammar Girl is part of the Quick and Dirty Tips podcast network.Audio Engineer: Dan FeierabendDirector of Podcast: Holly HutchingsAdvertising Operations Specialist: Morgan ChristiansonMarketing and Video: Nat Hoopes, Rebekah Sebastian| Theme music by Catherine Rannus.| Grammar Girl Social Media: YouTube. TikTok. Facebook.Threads. Instagram. LinkedIn. Mastodon. Bluesky. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

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 "at sixes and sevens."🔗 Share your familect recording in a WhatsApp chat.🔗 Watch my LinkedIn Learning writing courses.🔗 Subscribe to the newsletter.🔗 Take our advertising survey. 🔗 Get the edited transcript.🔗 Get Grammar Girl books. 🔗 Join Grammarpalooza. Get ad-free and bonus episodes at Apple Podcasts or Subtext. Learn more about the difference. | HOST: Mignon Fogarty| VOICEMAIL: 833-214-GIRL (833-214-4475).| Grammar Girl is part of the Quick and Dirty Tips podcast network.Audio Engineer: Dan FeierabendDirector of Podcast: Holly HutchingsAdvertising Operations Specialist: Morgan ChristiansonMarketing and Video: Nat Hoopes, Rebekah Sebastian| Theme music by Catherine Rannus.| Grammar Girl Social Media: YouTube. TikTok. Facebook. Threads. Instagram. LinkedIn. Mastodon. Bluesky. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Abigail Eisenstadt, a senior science writer at Science magazine, discusses her team's year-long experiment assessing ChatGPT's ability to summarize research papers. She explains the difference between AI's transcription of studies and the essential contextual translation needed for accurate science communication. The findings reveal AI struggles with context while performing well on simpler tasks. Eisenstadt also shares insights on the potential benefits of AI tools for less-skilled writers and the interest in future experiments with evolving models.

Explore the intriguing origins of political terms like 'candidate' and 'incumbent,' connecting them to Roman traditions and Latin roots. Discover how 'campaign' transitioned from military to political contexts and the fascinating history behind 'stump speeches.' Unravel the confusion between 'home in' and 'hone in,' with vivid examples tied to homing pigeons and spiders. Gain clarity on voting terminology and enjoy a charming family story about a unique phrase involving gift wrapping!

In this engaging discussion, linguist Ben Zimmer, known for his work as a language columnist and crossword constructor, shares his passion for uncovering the hidden histories of words. He reveals fascinating stories behind terms like 'scalawag' and 'jazz,' debunking their origins with surprising twists. The challenges of digitization in research are touched upon, alongside quirky facts about 'Ms.' and 'supercalifragilisticexpialidocious.' Zimmer's insights into collaboration within the linguistic community highlight the detective work behind our everyday language.

This week, delve into the eerie world of ghost words, including the infamous dictionary blunder involving 'dord.' Explore the fascinating phrases that incorporate 'ghost,' from ghost kitchens to ghost writers. Learn why 'between' is used for distinct items while 'among' pertains to groups. Discover the nuances in walking paths through trees and hear about the quirky term 'wilsoning' from a listener's family. Perfect for word lovers and Halloween enthusiasts alike!

In this engaging discussion, freelance writer Suzanne Bowness, author of The Feisty Freelancer, shares her journey from corporate work to freelancing after a layoff. She highlights lucrative niches to target and the importance of leveraging your network for initial gigs. Suzanne provides practical tips on cold pitching, tailoring pitches to specific industries, and using online platforms to establish a presence. For established freelancers, she suggests using downtime for skill-building and emphasizes the value of tracking projects effectively.

Understanding Shakespearean language can be tricky, especially the true meaning of 'wherefore'—it actually means 'why.' Dive into how Elizabethan English gives new life to iconic words like 'soft' and 'fair.' Explore the evolution of the word 'fear' and its surprising distinctions—like terror vs. fright. Learn about the intriguing history of horror from its roots to modern interpretations, including the eerie legacy of Madame Tussauds. Plus, enjoy a light-hearted familect story about a family’s hilarious misjudgment in moving!