Grammar Girl Quick and Dirty Tips for Better Writing

In this entertaining discussion, Jess Zafarris, an author and etymology communicator, shares insights from her book, Useless Etymology. She reveals how understanding word origins can grant you superpowers, such as decoding complex terms and entering new fields through vocabulary. Jess surprises listeners with the original meanings of everyday words like 'girl' and 'outrage' and explains how acronyms emerged in the modern age. Dive into the quirky histories behind names like 'fedora' and learn why 'gingerbread' isn’t what you think!

Explore whether the word 'epicenter' can have positive connotations and the public's mixed reactions. Discover the fascinating evolution of 'bro' from 'brother,' along with its offshoots like 'boy' and 'buddy.' Dive into linguistic theories about how these terms have shifted meaning over time. Finally, enjoy a light-hearted familect story that ties together family memories with a humorous twist on town names.

1119. This week, we talk with illustrator and cartoonist K. Woodman-Maynard about her new graphic novel adaptation of "Tuck Everlasting." We look at the creative process of adapting a beloved book, including how she uses visual storytelling to convey emotion and meaning with watercolor and panel design. We also look at her approach to condensing the original novel into a visual medium.K. Woodman Maynard on TikTokK. Woodman Maynard on InstagramK. Woodman Maynard on Substack🔗 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.

Discover the fascinating origins of idioms linked to 'dime,' like 'turn on a dime' and 'get off the dime.' Dive into the world of syllable acronyms, exploring familiar examples like 'Nabisco' and 'SoHo.' Hear a unique familect story about how personal names evolve into shared terms, including the quirky phrase 'pulling a Trevor.' This blend of language history with personal anecdotes makes for a delightful exploration of the quirks of English.

Adam Aleksic, known as the Etymology Nerd and author of "Algospeak," dives into how algorithms are dramatically reshaping language. He reveals the evolution of words like 'preppy' and discusses the cultural nuances of online communication, including unique non-capital shouting styles. Adam also explores the intriguing ties between language and power, highlighting how young women are creating new conversational forms. With insights from his engaging videos, this conversation reveals the fascinating intersection of technology and linguistics.

Discover the surprising origins of the word 'scallywag,' connected not to pirates, but possibly to Shetland ponies! Unravel the distinctions between 'used to' and 'use to' in language, with expert insights on their grammatical usage. Plus, tantalize your taste buds with a dive into the preparation of cheese grits, a beloved regional dish. This episode brings together linguistic curiosities and culinary delights for an entertaining exploration of language.

1115. This week, we talk with Keith Houston about his book, "The Book." We look at how writing technology evolved from clay tablets and bamboo slips to papyrus and paper. He shares some surprising facts, including why books are rectangles, how museums try to deacidify books, and how printing was once political.Keith Houston - Shadycharacters.co.ukKeith's book - "Face with Tears of Joy"🔗 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| 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.

1114. This week, we look at the history and purpose of indents, from medieval manuscripts to modern word processors, and the difference between a first-line indent and a hanging indent. Then, we look at the fascinating, multi-layered story behind the word "Formica," and its connection to both a plastic substitute for mica and the Latin word for "ant."The indent 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.

1113. This week, we talk with linguist Lauren Gawne about her book "Gesture: A Slim Guide." We look at how different cultures gesture about abstract concepts like time and space, and how we unknowingly gesture from our left-to-right writing system. We also look at why pointing is often rude, how different cultures point in different ways, and whether animals gesture on their own.This episode was originally a bonus episode released in June for people who support the show, the Grammarpaloozians. If you'd like to support the show, and get ad-free podcasts and bonuses right away, visit quickanddirtytips.com/bonus for more information. Lauren Gawne → Superlinguo🔗 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| 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.

Explore why you can ditch Kurt Vonnegut’s semicolon rule and the pitfalls of taking punctuation advice from fiction writers for business. Discover how major life events, not just age, impact the way we speak as we grow older. Delve into the evolution of language across generations, revealing how speech changes over time. Plus, enjoy a humorous story about a chocolate donut that illustrates the quirks of family language and how shared expressions can strengthen communication.