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PODCAST

Grammar Girl Quick and Dirty Tips for Better Writing

QuickAndDirtyTips.com

Five-time winner of Best Education Podcast in the Podcast Awards. Grammar Girl provides short, friendly tips to improve your writing and feed your love of the English language. Whether English is your first language or your second language, these grammar, punctuation, style, and business tips will make you a better and more successful writer. Grammar Girl is a Quick and Dirty Tips podcast.

education

All Episodes

00:27:11

The crossword craze — now and then — with Ben Zimmer

Grammar Girl Quick and Dirty Tips for Better Writing ·

2024/06/06

994. 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 crossword constructor and language commentator, takes us through the crossword puzzle's surprising early history and enduring legacy. He also explores the modern crossword scene, including competitions, digital tools, and how new puzzle constructors are shaping the future of the game.Links mentioned in the

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00:20:29

From 'dog' to 'hot dog.' The 'audience of one' trick....

Grammar Girl Quick and Dirty Tips for Better Writing ·

2024/06/04

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 one" concept, which involves tailoring content to a single, imagined recipient; and we look at how this approach can make your writing more understandable and engaging.The dog segment was written by Valerie Fridland, a professor of linguistics at the University of Nevada in Reno and the author of

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00:29:40

Why is this a question? with Paul Anthony Jones

Grammar Girl Quick and Dirty Tips for Better Writing ·

2024/05/30

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 those questions and more this week from Paul Anthony Jones, author of "Why is this a question?"| Find Paul Anthony Jones at https://www.paulanthonyjones.com/| Edited transcript with links: https://grammar-girl.simplecast.com/episodes/jones/transcript| Please take our advertising survey. It helps

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00:18:41

What is a Word? Target moments.

Grammar Girl Quick and Dirty Tips for Better Writing ·

2024/05/28

989. What is a word? Does "that's" count as one word or two? In this excerpt from Paul Anthony Jones' new book "Why Is This a Question," we look at how things like plurals, compound words, and contractions make defining the word "word" a tricky exercise.| Find Paul Anthony Jones at https://www.paulanthonyjones.com/| Edited transcript with links: https://grammar-girl.simplecast.com/episodes/what-is-a-word/transcript| Please take our advertising survey. It helps! https://podsurvey.com/GRAMMAR|

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00:26:50

How a special dictionary kept soldiers connected...

Grammar Girl Quick and Dirty Tips for Better Writing ·

2024/05/23

988. Peter Sokolowski, an editor at Merriam-Webster, goes through the fascinating history of the Armed Services Editions, a series of books published during World War II for distribution among the troops. We look at the special problems of wartime publishing, the collaborative efforts among publishers, and the lasting influence of these books on the publishing landscape.| Edited transcript with links: https://grammar-girl.simplecast.com/episodes/sokolowski-wwii/transcript| Please take our

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00:16:49

Why some sentences have double subjects. The story...

Grammar Girl Quick and Dirty Tips for Better Writing ·

2024/05/21

987. This week, we look at why people sometimes double their subjects, writing sentences such as "John, he bought a car," and when it's OK (and not OK) to do so. Plus, we talk about the medial S, a strange F-like letter that makes an S-sound and shows up in old documents. We look at how it came to be, its role in English typography, and what made it finally go away.| Edited transcript with links: https://grammar-girl.simplecast.com/episodes/left-dislocation/transcript| Please take our advertising

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00:31:53

Efficiency hacks for writers and editors with Erin...

Grammar Girl Quick and Dirty Tips for Better Writing ·

2024/05/16

986. Erin Brenner, author of "The Chicago Guide for Freelance Editors," shares time-saving tips including the best practices for using Word, creating macros, and using automation tools like Zapier. You'll also learn about starting and growing a freelance business, including how to figure out what to charge, how to make ends meet at the beginning, and how to handle time management once your business starts to succeed. | Resources mentioned in the podcast:Erin Brenner, Right Touch Editing:

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00:15:34

We found the story behind "whim wham for a mucket"!

Grammar Girl Quick and Dirty Tips for Better Writing ·

2024/05/14

985. This week, we look at the world of whimsical words, including the origins and meanings of terms like "dinkus," "gadzook," "petrichor" and the phrase "whim-wham for a goose's bridle." Plus, I have a quick tip about when to capitalize "mom" and "dad."The "weird words" segment was written by Michaela Dunn, a Wyoming-based editor and publisher for Everywhen Press. She specializes in magical realism, low fantasy, folklore, and fairy tales.| Edited transcript with links:

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00:26:33

Words, coffee, and urban planning: Eli Burnstein on...

Grammar Girl Quick and Dirty Tips for Better Writing ·

2024/05/09

984. This week, we talk about the subtle differences between words such as "stock" or "broth," "street" or "boulevard," "maze" or "labyrinth" and more with Eli Burnstein, author of "The Dictionary of Fine Distinctions." Confusion about colors got him started on this path, but along the way, he gained insights into language, culture, and the subtle differences that shape meanings.| Find Eli at https://EliBurnstein.com| Dictionary of Fine Distinctions:

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00:17:35

Skunked words. The power of pronouns. Quigleys

Grammar Girl Quick and Dirty Tips for Better Writing ·

2024/05/07

983. This week, we explore "skunked" words — terms going through hotly disputed meaning changes. We look at the debate between prescriptivists who stick to traditional meanings and descriptivists who accept new usages and what you should do with these words in your own writing. Plus, we learn how using "we" versus "I" alters perceptions of leadership, inclusivity, and status.The "skunked words" segment was written by Mignon Fogarty and Susan K. Herman. Susan is a retired multidisciplined language

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00:30:56

Air worms and fire breathing dragons: Old English...

Grammar Girl Quick and Dirty Tips for Better Writing ·

2024/05/02

982. This week, we delve into the fascinating world of Old English with medievalist Hana Videen, author of "The Deorhord." We'll uncover the secrets of Old English animal names, from "walking weaver" for spider to the ominous "unland" for a whale's deceptive island. Find Hana Videen at https://OldEnglishWordhord.com/| Edited transcript with links: https://grammar-girl.simplecast.com/episodes/videen/transcript| Please take our advertising survey. It helps! https://podsurvey.com/GRAMMAR|

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00:17:39

When (and How) Should You Cite AI? 'Critters,'...

Grammar Girl Quick and Dirty Tips for Better Writing ·

2024/04/30

981. Major style guides now have advice on when and how you should cite AI chatbots such as ChatGPT, Claude, and Gemini. We look at what you need to include in your writing so you're handling this kind of information credibly and professionally. Then, we take a linguistic safari through the world of animal terminology, including the histories and nuances behind words such as "critter," "varmint," and "beast."| The "critters" segment was written by Samantha Enslen, who runs Dragonfly Editorial. You

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00:33:32

Exploring the 'Funnest' Parts of Language with Anne...

Grammar Girl Quick and Dirty Tips for Better Writing ·

2024/04/25

980. This week, I talk with with Anne Curzan about the fascinating world of language evolution, her new book, "Says Who? A Kinder, Funner Usage Guide for Everyone Who Cares About Language," and why linguists should take marketing tips from Apple and why Ben Franklin thought the word "colonize" was bad.| Edited transcript with links: https://grammar-girl.simplecast.com/episodes/curzan/transcript| Please take our advertising survey. It helps! https://podsurvey.com/GRAMMAR| Grammarpalooza (Get texts

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00:16:29

The birth of punctuation: from oral traditions to...

Grammar Girl Quick and Dirty Tips for Better Writing ·

2024/04/23

979. In the first segment, we unravel the mysteries surrounding the origins and transformation of punctuation. From the early days when words ran together without spaces, to the introduction of punctuation systems by scholars like Aristophanes, we explore how punctuation has played a pivotal role in shaping written communication. In the second segment, we look at noun clusters that can gum up your writing. You'll see how simple steps like reordering, adding clarifying words, and transforming nouns

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00:19:23

How to become a supercommunicator, with Charles Duhigg

Grammar Girl Quick and Dirty Tips for Better Writing ·

2024/04/18

978. Join Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist and bestselling author, Charles Duhigg, as we talk about mastering the art of communication and his new book, "Supercommunicators." We explore the skills anyone (yes, you!) can learn to become a powerful communicator. Learn about the science behind effective communication, from NASA's emotional intelligence tests for astronauts to everyday interactions that can make or break relationships. Learn about the art of asking the right questions, the importance

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00:13:44

Big changes in Associated Press style. The 'Curb Your...

Grammar Girl Quick and Dirty Tips for Better Writing ·

2024/04/16

977. This week, we cover the latest AP Stylebook updates that were just revealed at the ACES conference. From the switch to Merriam-Webster to easing up on the word "unique," we look at what these changes mean for writers and editors. Plus, we explore "catawampus" thanks to its cameo in the "Curb Your Enthusiasm" finale. Learn about its quirky origins, regional differences, and wordy friends like "kitty-corner."| Kitty-corner map:

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00:19:58

Pet-Speak: From Meowlogisms to Zoomies. 'Imply' or...

Grammar Girl Quick and Dirty Tips for Better Writing ·

2024/04/09

976. How have our pets influenced the way we use language? This week, we dive into the "cativerse" and explore the vocabulary, grammar, and spelling habits of our furry friends. From LOLcats to doggo dialects, discover the linguistic wonders of how we talk about our beloved pets. Plus, don't get tripped up by "imply" versus "infer." In the second segment, we dive into the definitions, origins, and proper usage of these often-confused words.The pet-speak segment was written by Susan Herman, a

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00:24:14

You love to read. Could you narrate?

Grammar Girl Quick and Dirty Tips for Better Writing ·

2024/04/02

975. This week, I learned all about audiobook narration from David H. Lawrence XVII, who is launching a new program called "Narrate Your Own Book." If you've ever dreamed of being a narrator, this episode is for you! And if you're a self-published author who has always wanted to narrate your own audiobook (or feel like you should), this episode is especially for you. We talk about many of the fears that might be holding you back and why they don't matter as much as you probably imagine.If you want

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00:17:31

Memory, Aging, and the Lingering 'Anyways'

Grammar Girl Quick and Dirty Tips for Better Writing ·

2024/03/26

974. How does aging affect our ability to understand language? From the challenges of processing complex sentences to the resilience you get from a rich vocabulary, we look at how our language skills change over time. Plus, looking into why people say "anyways" led me to some interesting historical tidbits.The aging segment was written by Valerie Fridland, a professor of linguistics at the University of Nevada in Reno and the author of "Like, Literally, Dude: Arguing for the Good in Bad English." A

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00:16:54

A nuclear win at the Oscars. CamelCase. One clo.

Grammar Girl Quick and Dirty Tips for Better Writing ·

2024/03/19

973. "Oppenheimer" leads us to wonder about the "nucular" pronunciation of "nuclear." And why do people have that second capital letter in the middle of MySpace, OutKast, and PowerPoint (and is it grammatically correct)?| Edited transcript with links: https://grammar-girl.simplecast.com/episodes/nuclear/transcript| Grammarpalooza (Get texts from Mignon!): https://joinsubtext.com/grammar or text "hello" to (917) 540-0876.| Subscribe to the newsletter for regular updates.| Watch my LinkedIn Learning

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