Grammar Girl Quick and Dirty Tips for Better Writing

Exploring the nuances between 'addictive' and 'addicting'. Types of nouns: concrete, abstract, compound, and collective nouns. Delving into the personal significance of 'folly' through a family story.

Guest Joe Alwyn discusses language evolution through loan translations in Miami post the Cuban Revolution. Exploring compound nouns in English and the impact of charity on 'tortured man club' name. Touching on bilingual language fusion in the southwest and the importance of choosing Wayne State College for success.

Taylor Swift's use of 'Poets' without an apostrophe, the distinction between plural and possessive forms in phrases, exploring the meaning and complexity of love in different languages, and the challenges posed by the semantic broadness of love in English.

The podcast discusses the use of 'a' or 'an' before the letter 'H' and explores pronunciation differences between American and British English. They also delve into indefinite and definite articles, share interesting language phenomena, and discuss stories from listeners.

Explore the rise and fall of the letter H with linguistics professor Kate Burridge and psychology professor Catherine McBride. They discuss debates over its name, the disappearing act of the letter H, its historical context and resurgence in English, the importance of letter sounds in learning to read, the evolution of the word 'what' and the disappearance of the 'H' sound, and family dialects.

Listener questions on spelling differences like 'canceled,' idiomatic phrases, zero plurals for words like 'fish,' linguistic choices with verbs and episode numbers, usage of 'at about' in time expressions, regional language variations with mangos vs. green peppers

Guest Matthew G. Kirschenbaum discusses how technology shapes writing styles, from Nietzsche's writing ball to modern word processors. The origin of 'Goody Two Shoes' is explored, revealing its positive beginnings. The podcast delves into how technology impacts literary style and the evolution of language meanings.

Exploring the use of 'needless' words in writing and how some 'redundant' words can be purposeful. Unveiling the story behind the term 'larruping' and the amusing tale of 'chicken surprise' for quick meals.

Guest Sarah Duffy explores the psychology of time and how language reflects our perspectives. The podcast also covers the complexity of using commas, including appositives and nonessential elements. A story about 'fox chores' highlights the importance of commas and invites listeners to share their family stories.

Learn about the prevalence of silent letters in English spelling and the fascinating stories behind them. Explore the historical use of suffixes and the challenges of spelling reforms. Discover the evolution of English pronunciations and a language-learning app. Dive into the borrowed origins and spelling variations of the word 'pajamas'.