Grammar Girl Quick and Dirty Tips for Better Writing

Join Erin McKean, founder of Wordnik and Google open source enthusiast, as she delves into the evolving landscape of dictionaries amid AI's rise. Explore whether AI can truly replace lexicographers and uncover the environmental costs of training these systems. Erin also shares her journey from fashion blogging to lexicography, with insights on the significance of pockets in dresses and her favorite literary inspirations. This discussion beautifully weaves personal anecdotes with the future of language processing and community engagement.

Discover how to craft captivating paragraphs that go beyond traditional structures to engage readers. Uncover the intriguing histories of terms like 'mad money' and 'pin money,' revealing how they reflect women's evolving financial power. Dive into the cultural significance these phrases hold today, and enjoy a humorous take on personal language quirks. This exploration of writing and financial vocabulary promises to enlighten and entertain!

Samantha Enslen, owner of Dragonfly Editorial, discusses how AI is transforming the landscape of writing and editing. She examines the balance between leveraging AI tools and maintaining the irreplaceable quality of human oversight. The conversation highlights real fears and hopeful prospects for writers in this new era. Samantha also shares her love for classic literature, particularly Agatha Christie, and reflects on how old-school storytelling continues to influence modern writing.

Discover the secrets to crafting engaging photo captions, focusing on the right use of 'I' and 'me.' Dive into the nuanced worlds of 'immigrate' and 'emigrate' to understand their subtle differences shaped by perspective. Enjoy humorous mispronunciations and a charming story of a couple's adventure in Koh Pha-ngan. Reflect on how travel can change familiar places, sparking memories while inviting listeners to share their unique expressions and dialects.

In this enlightening discussion with Joshua Essoe, a fiction editor and author of "Pacing and Cutting," listeners uncover the art of pacing in storytelling. Joshua reveals how effective pacing grips readers, using film examples like 'Memento' and 'Fight Club.' He shares techniques such as managing flashbacks and the strategic use of white space. Insights into the psychological aspects of story pacing and balancing emotional beats further enhance understanding of narrative engagement, making this a must-listen for aspiring writers!

Curious about the silent 'L' in words like 'walk'? Discover how pronunciation varies between American and British speakers. The dangers of using absolutes like 'always' and 'never' are also discussed, emphasizing the need for precision in communication. Personal anecdotes enrich the conversation, alongside quirky sign-offs in emails that reveal intimate connections. This engaging exploration of language challenges listeners to rethink their use of words for clearer expression.

In this lively discussion, Heddwen Newton, an English teacher and translator from Germany, dives into the ever-evolving world of slang and language changes. She reveals the meaning behind trending terms like 'fridgescaping' and the quirky challenges of AI-generated 'ghost words.' Heddwen also explores cultural differences, such as the varied uses of 'nosh,' and shares her insights on the Mandela Effect. With humor and linguistic charm, she paints a vivid picture of how language continually adapts and transforms!

'Til may seem like a fun alternative to until, but you'll learn why it's frowned upon by style guides. Discover the hidden power of interjections like 'um' and 'huh,' which are crucial for keeping conversations flowing and conveying meaning. These tiny words aren't just filler; they can even challenge AI's conversation skills! Plus, enjoy a humorous dive into family expressions, including a cookie catchphrase that will resonate with anyone who's shared a laugh over quirky phrases!

1066. Do you really need that comma? Should your dashes have spaces? Is there ever just one "right" way to punctuate? June Casagrande, author of "The Best Punctuation Book, Period," busts punctuation myths, compares style guides, and looks at the surprising complexity of the humble em dash.Find June Casagrande at grammarunderground.com.🔗 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: Brannan GoetschiusAdvertising Operations Specialist: Morgan ChristiansonMarketing and Publicity Assistant: Davina TomlinDigital Operations Specialist: Holly HutchingsMarketing and Video: Nat Hoopes| Theme music by Catherine Rannus.| Grammar Girl Social Media: YouTube. TikTok. Facebook.Threads. Instagram. LinkedIn. Mastodon. Bluesky.

Discover the fascinating origins of 'OK' and how a 19th-century election made it a staple in our vocabulary. Dive into the Victorian tea culture that birthed quirky idioms like 'scandal broth' and uncover the deeper meanings behind phrases shaped by the British tea trade. Enjoy personal anecdotes that connect language with everyday life, and celebrate linguistic creativity with a winning poem from the ACES poetry contest. Language has never been more colorful!