795 - Why People Use Scare Quotes. 'Dialog' or 'Dialogue'?
We have some theories on why people write things such as "'fresh' meat." Plus, we dig in to the...
10:48
795 - Why People Use Scare Quotes. 'Dialog' or 'Dialogue'?
We have some theories on why people write things such as "'fresh' meat." Plus, we dig in to the...
10:48
794 - Create Characters as Great as Hamlet. How to Format Internal Dialogue
6 steps to help you create gripping characters. Plus, we talk about how to format internal...
14:41
793 - Why Journalists Use Misspellings Like 'Lede' and 'Spox'
Journalists "bury the lede," not the "lead." But why do they spell it that way? And what do HTK,...
16:43
792 - A Totally, Like, Bitchin' Podcast About 'Like'
It's not lazy and it's not just filler, but using "like" too much can still get you in trouble....
18:53
791 - 'Although' Versus 'While.' Why We Write with Cliches (and How to Stop)
What happens when I discover that my pet peeve is wrong? Also, why do we write with cliches?...
14:09
790 - 'Laureate' Is Good. Why Is 'Resting on Your Laurels' Bad? 'Smarmy.'
If getting laurels is good, and being a Nobel laureate is good, how did we get to "resting on...
17:33
789 - How to Make Your Readers Laugh. 'Whoa' or 'Woah'?
Believe it or not, there are actually rules to being funny. Also, do you think "woah" is a...
17:01
788 - Why 'Out of Pocket' Means Both 'Inappropriate' and 'Unavailable'
People have been asking about the "unavailable" meaning of "out of pocket" for decades, but...
17:34
787 - Why We Associate Political Parties with the Colors Red and Blue
Nick and Hannah explain "red" and "blue," the origin of "POTUS," why the Declaration of...
24:40
786 - 'Doomscrolling' (OK, Doomer). 'Each Other' or 'One Another'?
Whether you call it "doomscrolling" or "doomsurfing," it's not your fault that you feel compelled...
14:38
785 - 'Gantlet' or 'Gauntlet'? Do You Want to Say 'Had Went'?
Have you been told to write "run the GANTLET"? Here's why you shouldn't. Also, editor Ben Yagoda...
14:41
Kamala Harris's selection as Joe Biden's running mate is important, significant, and a number of...
14:40
783 - How Hurricanes Get Their Names. When You Should Avoid Using Contractions.
Isaias. Mitch. Andrew. Jimena. How hurricanes get their names, and why you'll see some names...
18:40
782 - What are those dots over letters? Why does 'money' have a plural, and how do you spell it?
What are those double dots over letters in English? Why does "money" have a plural, and how do...
10:20
781 - Blursday or Whensday? Middle Grade Versus Young Adult Fiction
Blursday is a popular word to use when you don't know what day of the week it is. It captures...
18:31
780 - Which Comes First? Who or Where?
We started to wonder about the question words in the phrase "Who does what and goes where where."...
15:21
Imagine the bragging rights: The OED needs your help antedating words. Why you should capitalize...
14:46
The Saharan dust plumes can make the sky red, but they aren't the source of the old saying "Red...
14:34
777 - How to Write Fight Scenes (and How to Get Started as a Fiction Editor)
Fiction editor Joshua Essoe gives his best tips for writing fight scenes (hint: it's not about...
29:42
776 - Why a Detective Searched for 'Clews' in a 1929 Novel. ‘Systemic’ or ‘Systematic’?
Our writer was surprised when he came across "clew" instead of "clue" in a detective novel from...
12:34
Episode 95: Syllable Stress
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Word of the Week #1: Toll
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Word of the Week #2: Pumpkin
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Episode 96: Face Your Fear
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Word of the Week #3: Undead
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Episode 98: Guy Fawkes Night
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Word of the Week #4: Fireworks
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Word of the Week #5: Bonfire
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Episode 100: Christmas in Alsace
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