Grammar Girl: For Writers and Language Lovers.
Episodes
The hidden superpower of verbs, with Sarah L. Kaufman
30 Apr 2026
Contributed by Lukas
1181. This week, we talk to Sarah L. Kaufman about verbs. We look at why English is a "manner verb" superpower and why babies often learn prepositions...
Why English creates so many words spelled the same. Why we say 'ye olde' instead of 'the old.'
28 Apr 2026
Contributed by Lukas
1180. Why does "Ye Olde Shoppe" look old-fashioned? This week, we look at the vanished letters of English — thorn, eth, and yogh — and at why Engl...
'Why We Talk Funny.' The reasons behind our accents, with Valerie Fridland
23 Apr 2026
Contributed by Lukas
1179. This week, we talk to Valerie Fridland, a linguist and professor who grew up in Memphis surrounded by Southern accents and now researches the hi...
Should you start a sentence with 'hopefully'? Why we might not recognize alien language.
21 Apr 2026
Contributed by Lukas
1178. Do you cringe when someone says "Hopefully, he'll pass the test"? This week, we look at why "hopefully" as a sentence adverb has been controvers...
Inside the life of a curator (and the myth of white gloves), with John Overholt.
16 Apr 2026
Contributed by Lukas
1177. This week, we look at behind-the-scenes of being a curator at Harvard's Houghton Library with John Overholt. We look at why 18th-century paper i...
Why 'stressed' spelled backwards reveals a delicious truth. 'Me' versus 'myself'
14 Apr 2026
Contributed by Lukas
1176. This week, we look at mind-bending words, including "semordnilap" (which spells "palindromes" backwards), "pentasyllabic" (which has five syllab...
Losing clients to AI, and how to gain them back, with Suzanne Bowness
09 Apr 2026
Contributed by Lukas
1175. In this bonus segment, which originally aired last October for Grammarpaloozians, we look at how AI is disrupting the freelance writing industry...
What the way we pronounce Iran says about us. Odorous or malodorous? When smell words stink.
07 Apr 2026
Contributed by Lukas
1174. This week, we look at why we pronounce "Iran" and "Iraq" differently and what those pronunciations reveal about our political beliefs. Then, we ...
The 3,000 hidden colors of the dictionary, with Kory Stamper
02 Apr 2026
Contributed by Lukas
1173. This week, we talk to former Merriam-Webster editor Kory Stamper to discuss her new book, "True Color." We look at the obsessive, "dictionary-es...
Denim: Secret place names hiding in plain sight. Why the principal is more than your pal.
31 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
1172. This week, we look at "toponyms" — words named after places — and you'll discover the hidden place names in denim, jeans, sherry, canta...
The crossword puzzle's role in World War II and the fight against Nazism.
26 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
1171. In the bonus segment that aired for Grammarpaloozians in November, we look at the early history of crossword puzzles and their surprising politi...
Feghoots: Groan-worthy story puns. How your brain stores words.
24 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
1170. This week, we look at "feghoots," the pun-based stories popularized by writers like Isaac Asimov, and why they are designed to make you roll you...
The ‘Tale of Two Dictionaries,’ with Peter Sokolowski
19 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
1169. In this bonus segment, originally released in November, we look at Peter Sokolowski's "Tale of Two Dictionaries," tracing the word "dictionary" ...
Why leprechauns are shoemakers. The March equinox versus the vernal equinox.
17 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
1168. This week, we look at the word "leprechaun" and its surprisingly wild origin story involving shoemaking, ancient Rome, and wolf-men. Then we loo...
'Mini' and 'factoid' don't mean what you think, with Jess Zafarris
12 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
1167. In this bonus segment that originally ran for Grammarpaloozians last October, we look at the surprising true origins of words that often fool pe...
Is the Academy Awards singular or plural? Writing about time.
10 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
1166. This week, we look the grammar of the Academy Awards and how to avoid an "illogical plot twist" in your sentences. Then, we look at common time-...
Mapping the American Tongue: The Dictionary of American Regional English (DARE), with Joan Houston Hall
05 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
1165. Today, we talk with Joan Houston Hall to look at the monumental task of documenting how Americans speak. We look at the Dictionary of American R...
The history of the octothorpe. Sir Fragalot and sentence fragments. Dribzle.
03 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
1164. This week, we look at the origin of the octothorpe — also known as the pound sign or hashtag — and why it has so many different names. Then,...
How 'be like' took over the world, with Sali Tagliamonte
26 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
1163. This week, we look at what it’s like to be a "language detective" with Sali Tagliamonte and how she used her own teenagers as a research lab. ...
Why 'Tonka' sounds big and 'bitty' sounds small. Why you CAN start a sentence with 'because.'
24 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
1162. This week, we look at why some names just "feel right" while others don't and how vowels like "ee" create associations with smallness and sweetn...
WHY WE USE ALL CAPS TO SHOUT, with Glenn Fleishman
19 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
1161. Today, we look at the history of writing in all-uppercase letters. Tech historian Glenn Fleishman explains how capitals transitioned from a sign...
Battle of the moguls. 'Awhile' versus 'a while.' Crittador.
17 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
1160. This week, we look at why "mogul" means both a ski bump and a powerful person. Then, we tackle when to use "awhile" versus "a while," with a tri...
Writing for ‘civic clarity’ (plus, the power of short sentences), with Roy Peter Clark
12 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
1159. This week, we look at "civic clarity" with writing instructor Roy Peter Clark in a newly edited version of our 2020 conversation. We look at the...
How bored tourists invented an Olympic sport. Centigrade or Celsius? Piqua
10 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
1158. This week, we go full Winter Olympics, tracing the origin of "ski," "luge," "toboggan," and more. Then, we look at why we say "Celsius" instead ...
Why AI loves em dashes, with Sean Goedecke
05 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
1157. This week, we look at AI em dashes with Sean Goedecke, software engineer for GitHub. We talk about why artificial intelligence models frequently...
Why 'forte' has three pronunciations. What is 'playing the dozens'? Ornish
03 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
1156. This week, we look at the pronunciation chaos surrounding "forte" and "pianoforte," from the French fencing term meaning "strong point" to the I...
How can there be hundreds of words for snow? with Dr. Charles Kemp
29 Jan 2026
Contributed by Lukas
1155. This week, we look at whether it’s actually true that Inuit languages have hundreds of words for snow with Dr. Charles Kemp. We look at how re...
Scarecrows and other 'cutthroat' compounds. Reading versus listening. Squirrel Hill Tunnel.
27 Jan 2026
Contributed by Lukas
1154. This week, we look at "headless" nouns like "scarecrow," "pickpocket," and "breakfast." We look at why these "cutthroat compounds" break the nor...
Scrabble strategy and tournament culture, with John Chew
22 Jan 2026
Contributed by Lukas
1153. This week, we look at the high-stakes world of Scrabble tournaments with John Chew, head of the North American Scrabble Players Association. We ...
What is a baker’s dozen? Making O-words plural. Wrong pew.
20 Jan 2026
Contributed by Lukas
1152. This week, we look at what a baker's dozen is and why it's actually 13. We also look at other "dozen" phrases, like "devil's dozen" and "banker'...
Building the Online Etymology Dictionary, with Doug Harper
15 Jan 2026
Contributed by Lukas
1151. This week, we look at the deep history of words with Doug Harper, creator of Etymonline. We look at the "gravitational" link between digging a g...
Using ‘impact’ as a verb. ‘Sympathy’ versus ‘empathy.’ Big help, Irving.
13 Jan 2026
Contributed by Lukas
1150. This week, we look at "impact" as a verb and why it's a pet peeve for so many editors and readers. Then, we look at the linguistic shift between...
Rare books, burned letters, and Johnson’s dictionary, with John Overholt
08 Jan 2026
Contributed by Lukas
1149. This week, we look at the life and legacy of Samuel Johnson, the man behind the 1755 Dictionary of the English Language. We talk with John Overh...
Penny idioms that are still legal tender. The linguistic history of procrastination. Tanner tour.
06 Jan 2026
Contributed by Lukas
1148. This week, we look at penny idioms that are still "legal tender" in our language even as the U.S. penny is retired. We look at the history of ph...
The Goth letters: why the alphabet goes off the rails after T, with Danny Bate
01 Jan 2026
Contributed by Lukas
1147. In this bonus segment that originally ran in October, we look at the fascinating history of the "new letters" of the alphabet — V, W, X, Y, an...
War of the dots. Why we say 'pitch black.' Pitch hot.
30 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
1146. This week, we look at the history of Braille, from the tragic accident that inspired Louis Braille's six-dot system to the "War of the Dots"—a...
How a long-lost yearbook revealed the origin of 'hella,' with Ben Zimmer
25 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
1145. In this bonus segment from October, I talk with Ben Zimmer about "hella" and how even yearbook messages can be digitized to help preserve the la...
The origin of X in algebra. Why we say ‘how come’ for ‘why.’ Water handles.
23 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
1144. This week, we look at the origin of the letter X as the variable for the unknown in algebra. Then, we look at the phrase "how come," explaining ...
2025 Words of the Year, with Jess Zafarris and Danny Hieber
18 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
1143. This week, we look at the 2025 words of the year with Jess Zafarris and Danny Hieber. We look at viral slang like "six seven" and cultural terms...
'Pride and prejudice' before Jane Austen. Was Parson Brown a real person? Happy Panda.
16 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
1142. This week, we look at the history of the phrase "pride and prejudice," which was used frequently before Jane Austen’s 1813 novel. Then, we loo...
The 'sheeple' incident, with Stefan Fatsis
11 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
1141. We look at the controversy that caught Stefan Fatsis by surprise when he defined the word "sheeple" for Merriam-Webster, leading to public compl...
The rise of the 'hamster wheel.' The many names of Santa Claus. Unattractive turtles.
09 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
1140. This week, we look at the difference between the modern phrase "hamster wheel" and the older "rat race," and why the former gained popularity. W...
An inspiring tutor, 'New York System' hot dogs, and 'queen spotting.'
04 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
1139. In this bonus discussion with Martha Barnette back in March, we look at Martha's pivotal twelve-year journey with a polyglot tutor who transform...
Why Brits eat biscuits and Americans eat cookies. Why brands keep nouning everything. Hamster alert.
02 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
This week, in honor of National Cookie Day, we look at the vocabulary split between British and American English, including the differences between a ...
Rob Drummond on languaging and our fluid speaking identities
27 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this bonus conversation with Rob Drummond from back in June, he and I get into the fascinating concept of "languaging" — the idea that speaking i...
The sinful fork (and other dinner-table surprises)
25 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
1136. This week, we go full Thanksgiving, talking about the origin of butter knives, forks, and more. You'll love all the tidbits you can share with y...
Why print dictionaries still matter, with Peter Sokolowski
20 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
1135. This week, we talk with Peter Sokolowski, editor at large at Merriam-Webster, about the new print 12th Collegiate Dictionary. We look at why pri...
Personification in language and AI. Dictums, maxims, and proverbs. Expensitive.
18 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
1134. This week, we look at the poetic power of personification (the language quirk that gives human traits to nonhuman things) and why style guides a...
The secret rules of crossword puzzles, with Natan Last
13 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
1133. This week, crossword pro Natan Last talks about his book "Across the Universe." We look at the technical and cultural differences between Americ...
How '23 skidoo' & 'at sixes and sevens' are related to '6-7.'
11 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
1132. This week, in honor of Dictionary.com choosing "6-7" as its Word of the Year, we look at the origin of other number phrases: "23 skidoo" and "at...
What a ‘Science' magazine experiment says about the future of AI in journalism, with Abigail Eisenstadt
06 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
1131. This week, we talk with ‘Science' magazine senior writer Abigail Eisenstadt about her team's year-long experiment testing ChatGPT's ability to...
What Roman togas have to do with today's elections. 'Home in' versus 'hone in.'
04 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
1130. This week, we look at words related to elections, and then I help you remember the difference between "home in" and "hone in" with a tip that in...
Finding the true history of words, with Ben Zimmer
30 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
1129. This week, we talk with Ben Zimmer about the linguistic detective work of antedating words — finding earlier usages than those published in di...
‘Ghost words’ and their history. Rules for ‘between’ and ‘among.’ Wilsoning.
28 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
1128. This week, in honor of Halloween, we look at “ghost words” and phrases, from “ghost runners” in baseball to “ghost forests” made by ...
How to be a ‘feisty freelancer,’ with Suzanne Bowness
23 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
1127. This week, we talk with Suzanne Bowness about creating a successful life as a writer. We look at high-value industries that are good targets for...
Shakespeare's ‘wherefore’ and other false friends. The language of fear. A Tom.
21 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
1126. This week, we look at words for fear and why "wherefore" doesn't mean what many people think it means.The false friends segment was written by K...
Why Q needs U and how hieroglyphics created our alphabet, with Danny Bate
16 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
1125. This week, we talk with linguist and author Danny Bate about his book, "Why Q Needs U." We look at the ancient origins of our alphabet, tracing ...
The political, royal and obscene meanings of blue. The differences in ‘plumb’ and plum.’
14 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
1124. This week, we look at blue idioms, including the political history of "blue states," the medical reason for being "blue in the face," and the as...
The fight for the modern dictionary, with Stefan Fatsis
09 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
1123. This week, we talk with author and self-described “word freak” Stefan Fatsis about his book "Unabridged." He shares his experience embedding...
‘Math’ versus ‘maths’ and other British differences. ‘Spendthrift’ means what?
07 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
1122. This week, we look at two subtle but persistent differences between American and British English: why Americans say "math" and Brits say "maths,...
Why ‘Useless Etymology’ gives you super powers, with Jess Zafarris
02 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
1121. This week, we talk with Jess Zafarris about her book “Useless Etymology.” We look at three ways she says etymology gives you superpowers. We...
Can you use ‘epicenter’ for positive things? The etymology of ‘bro.’ Mukwonago, Oconomowoc.
30 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
1120. This week, we look at tricky uses of the word "epicenter" and how people feel about using it metaphorically. We also look at where the word “b...
Adapting a classic: from words to watercolors, with K. Woodman-Maynard
25 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
1119. This week, we talk with illustrator and cartoonist K. Woodman-Maynard about her new graphic novel adaptation of "Tuck Everlasting." We look at t...
Dime idioms. ‘HoCo’ and syllable acronyms. Pulling a Trevor
23 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
1118. This week, we look at the origins of idioms related to the word "dime," like "turn on a dime" and "get off the dime." We also look at a special ...
How algorithms are changing the meaning of words, with Adam Aleksic
18 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
1117. This week, we talk with Adam Aleksic, also known as the Etymology Nerd, about the ways algorithms are changing the meaning of words. We look at ...
The pirate history of ‘scallywag.’ ‘Used to’ versus ‘use to.’ Cheese grits.
16 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
1116. This week, we clarify the origins of the word "Schnauzer" and why it may mean "snout," "growler," or "mustache." Then, in honor of Talk Like a P...
From clay tablets to the Gutenberg press, with Keith Houston
11 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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 t...
Why we have indents. More on Formica. Running on Edgar.
09 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
1114. This week, we look at the history and purpose of indents, from medieval manuscripts to modern word processors, and the difference between a firs...
The surprising ways we gesture about time and space, with Lauren Gawne
04 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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 c...
Vonnegut’s semicolon rule. What age has to do with language. Chocolate donut.
02 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
1112. This week, we look at why you can safely ignore Kurt Vonnegut’s famous advice about ignoring semicolons. We also look at why taking punctuatio...
Why we say 'near miss.' How dogs got their names. Stupid dog Jackie.
26 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
1111. This week, we look at the phrase "near miss" and why this seemingly illogical term actually makes sense. Then, in honor of National Dog Day, we ...
How to build a successful writers’ newsletter, with Jane Friedman
21 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
1110. This week, we talk with Jane Friedman, an expert on the business of being a writer. We look at how to build a strong email newsletter and why it...
What is 'versing'? ‘Whatchamacallit' and other placeholder words. Chicken.
19 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
1109. This week, we look at why kids and video gamers talk about "versing" someone. Then, we look at the linguistics of placeholder words like "whatch...
AI's impact on translators, untranslatable Dutch words, and more, with Heddwen Newton
14 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
1108. This week, we talk to Heddwen Newton about some of the unique and untranslatable words she's discovered while translating. She shares her though...
Double possessives. Words that do double duty. The monkeys aren't working.
12 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
1107. This week, we look at double possessives, such as "a friend of Mignon's" and whether they are grammatically correct. Then, we look at words that...
New words: 'beer muscles' & 'waka jumpers,' with Fiona McPherson.
07 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
1106. We talk with Fiona McPherson, a senior editor at the Oxford English Dictionary, about the playful words that get added to the OED. We look at th...
How pronouns reveal our psychology. How'd we get our alphabet? Tabagogox.
05 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
1105. This week, we look at how the pronouns you use can reveal your psychological state — for example, how using "I" versus "we" can signal how you...
‘Spark words’ and the hidden history of ‘panic’ and ‘Ritalin,’ with Martha Barnette
31 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
1104. This week with Martha Barnette, co-host of "A Way with Words" and author of "Friends with Words: Adventures in Languageland," we look at the con...
'Heat wave' vs. 'cold snap.' Why reading stories makes you smarter. Rogering.
29 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
1103. Why do we talk about "heat waves" but "cold snaps"? This week, we look at the history behind these common weather phrases and other quirky idiom...
Why plain English matters in science (and everywhere else), with Anne Greene
24 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
1102. This week, Anne Greene joins us to talk about the importance of writing in plain English, especially in scientific fields. We look at why short ...
'Y' plurals. Bill Labov's linguistic legacy. Choo-choo
22 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
1101. Do you know when to change a "y" to an "ies" for a plural, and when to just add an "s"? Today, we look at the rules. Then, we look at linguist B...
How 'algospeak' is changing language, with Adam Aleksic
17 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
1100. This week, we talk with popular online linguist Adam Aleksic, also known as Etymology Nerd. We discuss "algospeak" and how social media algorith...
Pop, soda, or coke? When Q stands alone. Pizza bones.
15 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
1099. Do you call it "pop," "soda," or "coke"? We look at the interesting history behind these regional names for carbonated beverages. Then, we look ...
Metaphors and your brain. How figurative language works, with Dr. Vicky Lai
10 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
1098. We talk with cognitive scientist Dr. Vicky Lai about how frequently we use metaphors and what happens in our brains when we hear them. We also l...
Can you have a million bacons? Martha's Vineyard's unique sound.
08 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
1097. Do you wonder whether "bacon" can be plural? We look at the difference between countable and uncountable nouns. Then, we look at how the Martha'...
The surprising history (and politics) of emoji, with Keith Houston
03 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
1096. This week, we look at the world of emoji with Keith Houston, author of "Face with Tears of Joy." He discusses the long history of emoji, from an...
Is ‘sick’...good? What we think of posh language and class. Misunderseed
01 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
1095. Is “sick” really “good”? This week, we explore how words flip their meanings and why language changes over time. Then, we look at the 19...
The language of children’s storytelling, with Doug Fraser
26 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
1094. Have you ever wondered about the linguistic techniques behind popular children's podcasts? This week, we talk with Doug Fraser, also known as Do...
Why we drop sounds. ChatGPT is changing how people talk. Kombi
24 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
1093. Why do we say “prob’ly” instead of “probably”? This week, we look at elision in everyday speech. Then, we look at a wild study showing...
What your accent says about you (and your identity), with Rob Drummond
19 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
1092. Your accent may be saying more than your words. Sociolinguist Rob Drummond explains how accents shape our identities, how they differ across soc...
Are em dashes really a sign of AI writing? 'Caretaker' vs. 'caregiver'
17 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
1091. Is the em dash a sign of AI writing? I looked at where the idea comes from, and we have the final answer! Then, we look at the difference betw...
What your hands are saying (even when you’re not thinking about it), with Lauren Gawne
12 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
1090. Your hands may be saying more than your words. Lauren Gawne explains how gestures shape communication, how they differ across cultures, and why ...
‘Further’ vs. ‘farther.’ Why designers use fake Latin. Blondie hot
10 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
1089. Do you wonder when you should use "further" or "farther"? We have the answer (where there is one). Then, you’ve seen lorem ipsum everywhere, b...
What AI means for writers and editors, with Daniel Heuman
05 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
1088. He says he hates AI writing, but he's also the CEO of the company behind Draftsmith, an AI editing tool. Today, I talk with Daniel Heuman about ...
'The' rules you never learned. Why did Latin die?
03 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
1087. You use the word "the" hundreds of times a day, but are you pronouncing it wrong? Today I have the rules I never learned about whether to say “...
The publishing world is changing. Jane Friedman tells us how.
29 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
1086. What does it really take to earn a living as a writer? Jane Friedman explains the multiple paths writers take — from speaking and consulting t...
Why 'plz' might be pushing people away. How to write better thank-you notes. Studaloo
27 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
1085. Do abbreviations like “plz” and “ty” actually make your texts feel less sincere? New research suggests they might. We explore how shorte...
Why simplified spelling nearly took over America (and why it didn't), with Gabe Henry
22 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
1084. This week, Gabe Henry talks about his new book, "Enough Is Enuf," and the long, strange quest to simplify English spelling. Learn why the "Chica...
Why 'wake' is so confusing. The playful language of vacations.
20 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
1083. Is it "woke," "woken," or "waked"? We break down why the verb "wake" is one of the trickiest in English, with four competing forms and centuries...
Ambrose Bierce, from ‘The Devil’s Dictionary’ to disappearing in Mexico, with Jim Norrena
15 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
1082. Copy editor Jim Norrena joins us this week for a conversation about Ambrose Bierce, his famous "Devil's Dictionary," and his darkly funny take o...