Grammar Girl Quick and Dirty Tips for Better Writing

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 Plus, explore the historical roots of 'spendthrift' and learn about some delightfully outdated insults like 'dingthrift.'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!

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.