'Which' versus 'that.' Words for walking. Bottleadammit.
997. This week, I help you learn (and remember!) the difference between "which" and "that" with practical tips and examples about cupcakes. Then, we take a linguistic stroll through walking-related te...
25 Juni 202416min
The Hidden Stories of African American English with Dr. Sonja Lanehart
996. This week, you'll learn about the rich linguistic history of African American English with Dr. Sonja Lanehart, an advisor to the Oxford Dictionary of African American English. We talked about wh...
20 Juni 202439min
The art of punctuation and the charm of 'kerfuffle.' Nicing.
995. This week, we look at when to use parentheses, dashes, and commas and how the choice can change the tone of your writing. Then, we dive into the history of words for describing a big fuss — "kerf...
18 Juni 202418min
Exploring the Language of 'Dune': An Interview with Kevin J. Anderson and Scott Brick
994. This week, I sat down with the prolific "Dune" author Kevin J. Anderson and the famed "Dune" narrator Scott Brick to explore the language challenges in the "Dune" series. Learn how Kevin and Scot...
13 Juni 202444min
The power of sign language in 'Dune.' The words we use for dad. Chee
993. This week, we cover the strategic use of sign language by the Bene Gesserit in the 'Dune' movies, including its importance in covert communication. Then, we look at the many words for 'father' an...
11 Juni 202416min
The crossword craze — now and then — with Ben Zimmer
992. What began as a simple word game in 1913 sparked a nationwide craze just a decade later, causing a moral panic and changing American publishing forever. This week, Ben Zimmer, a prolific crosswor...
6 Juni 202427min
From 'dog' to 'hot dog.' The 'audience of one' trick. More on the long S. Footbridge.
991. This week, we trace the origin and meaning of the word "dog," from its mysterious beginning to its current use in phrases like "hot dog" and "hair of the dog." Then we go through the "audience of...
4 Juni 202420min
Why is this a question? with Paul Anthony Jones
990. Have you ever wondered why English doesn't have gender like Spanish and French? Which languages are the hardest to learn (and why)? And why a Q is always followed by a U? We have the answers to t...
30 Maj 202429min
