Grammar Girl Quick and Dirty Tips for Better Writing

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!

Danny Bate, a linguist and author with a PhD in linguistics, unpacks fascinating insights about our alphabet's evolution. He discusses how Egyptian hieroglyphs transformed into symbols that represent sounds. Bate explains the acro principle, revealing that the letter A was once a consonant. He also explores boustrophedon writing and the curious journey of the letter K. Dive deep into why Q needs U and how historical influences shaped English spelling. Prepare to rethink the way you view letters and words!

Discover the intriguing origins of blue idioms, from the political history of 'blue states' to the medical link behind being 'blue in the face.' Uncover the value of 'blue chip' stocks and the fascinating tale behind the 'blue plate special.' Delve into the royal associations of blue and its transition to signify the obscene in humor. Learn the difference between 'plumb' and 'plum,' exploring their unique origins and meanings. Plus, enjoy a humorous listener-favorite familect story!

Join journalist and author Stefan Fatsis as he shares insights from his book, "Unabridged." Stefan discusses his unique experience embedded at Merriam-Webster, revealing the contrast between its vintage 1940s headquarters and the modern digital landscape. He tackles the challenge of updating old definitions while incorporating trendy new words, and highlights the impact of the internet on dictionary use. With a nod to the legacy of lexicographer Philip Gove and the ongoing threats from AI and Google, Stefan emphasizes the importance of engaging with dictionary sites to keep them relevant.

Dive into the quirks of American and British English, like why it's 'math' on one side of the pond and 'maths' on the other. Discover the intriguing reasons behind saying 'in hospital' versus 'in the hospital.' Plus, explore the historical roots of 'spendthrift' and learn about some delightfully outdated insults like 'dingthrift.' Join in for a whimsical examination of language that adds flair to everyday words!