Why we misuse ‘literally.’ How ham radio got its name. District
1057. Why do people use "literally" when they mean "figuratively"? This week, we look at how the meaning of "literally" changed over time. Plus, we look at how amateur radio operators came to be known...
18 Feb 202517min
How to be a ghostwriter, with Dan Gerstein
1056. Ghostwriting is more than just anonymous book writing — it’s a thriving industry. Dan Gerstein, founder of Gotham Ghostwriters, shares how writers can break into ghostwriting, what types of proj...
13 Feb 202533min
Why some holidays have apostrophes. Why Californians say ‘the 405.’ MIGD
1055. Ever wonder why some holidays have apostrophes while others don’t? We look at Mother’s Day, Veterans Day, and Presidents’ Day. Then, we look at why Southern Californians say "the 405" while the ...
11 Feb 202518min
Word games and the joy of playing every day, with Lex Friedman
1054. Ever wonder what goes into designing daily word games? Lex Friedman, creator of Lex.games, shares his journey from puzzle lover to puzzle maker, how he keeps his games fresh, and why some puzzle...
6 Feb 202525min
'Toeing' the line. Metonymy versus synecdoche. Ghost town mad
1053. If you’ve ever hesitated between ‘toe the line’ and ‘tow the line,’ this episode is for you. We look at the phrase's history to clear up the confusion. Then, we look at metonymy and synecdoche —...
4 Feb 202517min
Wordplay and cartoons: Inside the making of 'AB@C,' with Rob Meyerson and Dan Misdea
1052. What do “CDB” and “U11 2” have in common? They’re both examples of gramograms! This week, I chat with writer Rob Meyerson and New Yorker cartoonist Dan Misdea about their book "AB@C," a fun coll...
30 Jan 202518min
Does 'book-book' make sense? Fun words for jigsaw lovers. Chilly chickens.
1051. This week, we look at doubled words, like "salad-salad" or "job-job," and what the repetition is actually telling us. Then, in honor of National Puzzle Day, we look at the history of jigsaw puzz...
28 Jan 202514min
The secret to writing a good memoir, with Wendy Dale
1050. This week, I talk with Wendy Dale, author of "The Memoir Engineering System," about how to write a compelling memoir. We look at the differences between memoir and autobiography, the importance...
23 Jan 202519min
