'Hanged' versus 'Hung.' Is 'pair' singular or plural? Fossilized phrases.
1030. This week, we look at why "hang" has two past-tense forms: "hanged" and "hung." (And why I keep messing them up!) Then we expand on why "pair" can be singular or plural. And finally we look at w...
12 Nov 202416min
The psychology of writing bestsellers, with Jennifer Lynn Barnes
1029. This week, I talk with Jennifer Lynn Barnes, author of the bestselling "Inheritance Games" series and a former psychology professor, about the psychology behind popular fiction. We look at why r...
7 Nov 202441min
Are you "pantless" or "pantsless"? Who (or what) is Beetlejuice?
1028. This week, we look at the weird situation when you want to add a suffix (such as "-less") to a plural-only noun such as "pants" or "scissors" — with a fun detour for some pants-related idioms. T...
5 Nov 202417min
How linguists solve crimes, with Natalie Schilling
1027. This week, I talk with forensic linguist Natalie Schilling about how people's language gives them away — in manifestos, ransom notes, text messages, and more.Natalie Schilling is a professor eme...
31 Okt 202434min
From Guy Fawkes to Guido Fawkes. Tales from the crypt (and catacombs, mausoleums, and ossuaries). Taquitos
1026. This week, we look at the origins of words for men, including the ancient roots of "man," the surprising evolution of the word "guy" from being an insult to just another word, and how "guido" to...
29 Okt 202416min
The language of meetings, with Jim Slaughter
1025. Have you ever wondered where meeting terms like “quorum” or “proxy” come from? In this episode, Jim Slaughter looks at the linguistic origins and historical contexts of these and other common pa...
24 Okt 202426min
Why don't we say 'I'm smarter than YOU'RE'? The language of fear. Catherineisms.
1024. It often sounds weird if you try to end a sentence with a contraction like "you're" and "I'm." We look at why! Then, get ready for Halloween with the language of fear.The "contractions" segment ...
22 Okt 202417min
Feeling stuck? Anne Lamott's here to kickstart your writing!
1023. I felt like I could write anything after this discussion with Anne Lamott about painful first drafts, beating perfectionism, and the one thing she'd change in "Bird by Bird." Best of all, you c...
17 Okt 202437min
