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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

00:25:35

The hidden techniques behind well-paced fiction, with...

Grammar Girl Quick and Dirty Tips for Better Writing ·

2025/04/03

1070. Fiction editor Joshua Essoe explains the hidden techniques behind pacing in storytelling. Learn how good pacing shapes reader engagement, why well-placed story beats and emotional shifts matter, and how popular films like Memento and Fight Club use pacing to captivate audiences. Joshua also looks at managing flashbacks, using white space strategically, and avoiding common pacing pitfalls in fiction writing.Joshua's "Pacing and Cutting" Kickstarter:

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00:15:17

Why don't we say the L in 'walk'? Never use 'always.'...

Grammar Girl Quick and Dirty Tips for Better Writing ·

2025/04/01

1069. Have you ever wondered why we have silent L's in words like "walk" and "half"? Those questions lead us to L-vocalization, spelling pronunciation, and why American and British speakers differ. Plus, we look at some of the most dangerous words in the English language: "always" and "never."The "L vocalization" segment is by Karen Lunde, a former Quick & Dirty Tips editor and digital pioneer who's been spinning words into gold since before cat videos ruled the internet. She created one of the

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00:31:13

Exploring slang, AI ghost words, and language change,...

Grammar Girl Quick and Dirty Tips for Better Writing ·

2025/03/27

1068. Did Yosemite Sam ever actually say "tarnation"? What’s "fridgescaping," and why is it trending? And why is AI filling the internet with nonsense words like “lrtsjerk”? Linguist and translator Heddwen Newton shares her favorite new slang, explains the Mandela Effect, and breaks down how AI-generated content is making language even messier.Find Heddwen Newton at her newsletter, English in Progress.🔗 Share your familect recording in a WhatsApp chat.🔗 Watch my LinkedIn Learning writing

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00:17:25

What’s wrong with ‘"'til"? Why tiny words control...

Grammar Girl Quick and Dirty Tips for Better Writing ·

2025/03/25

1067. Think "'til" is a valid alternative to "until"? Think again! We learn about the difference between "till" and "until" and why many style guides frown on "'til." Then, we uncover the hidden power of interjections—words like "um," "huh," and "mm-hmm"—and how they help us negotiate meaning, keep conversations flowing, and even challenge artificial intelligence.The "interjections" segment was written by Bob Holmes, a science writer living in Edmonton, Canada and who until recently, had no idea how

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00:25:04

The best punctuation book, period, with June Casagrande

Grammar Girl Quick and Dirty Tips for Better Writing ·

2025/03/20

1066. Do you really need that comma? Should your dashes have spaces? Is there ever just one "right" way to punctuate? June Casagrande, author of "The Best Punctuation Book, Period," busts punctuation myths, compares style guides, and looks at the surprising complexity of the humble em dash.Find June Casagrande at grammarunderground.com.🔗 Share your familect recording in a WhatsApp chat.🔗 Watch my LinkedIn Learning writing courses.🔗 Subscribe to the newsletter.🔗 Take our advertising

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00:17:29

Why we say ‘OK.’ How tea shaped English slang. Poetry...

Grammar Girl Quick and Dirty Tips for Better Writing ·

2025/03/18

1065. Is it "OK" or "okay"? We look at the surprising history of one of the world’s most recognized English words and how a 19th-century election campaign helped it stick. Then, we have some fun with Victorian tea culture and the many idioms it inspired, from Cockney rhyming slang to "scandal broth."The "tea" segment is by Karen Lunde, a former Quick & Dirty Tips editor and digital pioneer who's been spinning words into gold since before cat videos ruled the internet. She created one of the first

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00:27:38

Behind the scenes of Wikipedia: editing, accuracy,...

Grammar Girl Quick and Dirty Tips for Better Writing ·

2025/03/13

1064. Is Wikipedia the last refuge on online truth? With AI-generated content and misinformation spreading online, Wikipedia is growing in esteem, but who decides what gets published? How does Wikipedia determine things like credibility and notability? Wikipedia consultant Jonathan Rick gives us the inside scoop on Wikipedia’s strict sourcing rules, why some pages get deleted, and how you can become an editor.Jonathan Rick helps people make sense of — and profit from — business communication

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00:15:42

How did our holidays become so 'corny'? Why do some...

Grammar Girl Quick and Dirty Tips for Better Writing ·

2025/03/11

1063. Why is it called "corned beef" when there’s no corn involved? We look at how the word "corn" evolved to mean different things over time. Then, we look at the role of accent marks in English — why some words keep them, why others lose them, and what they tell us about language.The "corn" 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." You can find her at

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00:27:39

Why kids can't read (and what we can do about it),...

Grammar Girl Quick and Dirty Tips for Better Writing ·

2025/03/06

1062. Did you know that 21% of U.S. adults struggle with basic literacy? In this eye-opening episode, literacy specialist Kate Crist talks about the literacy crisis in America, how reading is taught incorrectly in schools, and what we can do to fix it. She has real stories of students and adults overcoming reading struggles, the science behind learning to read, and practical advice for parents, educators, and anyone who wants to help.Resource list Literacy rates:PIAAC, NAEPWhy do we have these low

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00:16:48

The mystery of ‘it’ in English. The most dramatic...

Grammar Girl Quick and Dirty Tips for Better Writing ·

2025/03/04

1061. Ever wonder why we say "It's raining" even though "it" doesn't refer to anything? We explain the logic behind this quirky English rule. Then, we look at some of the most dramatic moments in grammar history, including a semicolon duel, a costly comma mistake, and a famous book with 5,000 typos.The "dummy 'it'" segment is by Karen Lunde, a former Quick & Dirty Tips editor and digital pioneer who's been spinning words into gold since before cat videos ruled the internet. She created one of the

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00:31:28

From 'Parasite' to 'Emilia Pérez': How movies shape...

Grammar Girl Quick and Dirty Tips for Better Writing ·

2025/02/27

1060. Why do villains always have British accents? Why was "Parasite" a game-changer for non-English films? And how is AI secretly shaping the voices you hear on screen? With the Oscars coming up, Dr. Andrew Cheng talks about how films are evolving to reflect linguistic authenticity — and why it matters. From heritage speakers in "Anora" to made-up languages in "Dune" and "Avatar," we look at the complexities of representing real and fictional languages in film.Dr. Andrew Cheng teaches Linguistics

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00:15:52

Why Americans write 'canceled' but still write...

Grammar Girl Quick and Dirty Tips for Better Writing ·

2025/02/25

1059. Ever wonder why Americans use "canceled" with one L but still write "cancellation" with two? We explore how spelling rules, stress patterns, and historical quirks explain this inconsistency. Plus, we look at the history of "fine print" — from typesetting in smoky print shops to its modern use in hiding legal loopholes. The "fine print" segment was by Glenn Fleishman, a typesetter, graphic designer, journalist, print historian, and author of the book “How Comics Were Made: A Visual History from

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00:28:00

Writing Motivation Hacks, with Mary Robinette Kowal

Grammar Girl Quick and Dirty Tips for Better Writing ·

2025/02/20

1058. If you struggle to sit down and write, you’ll love this conversation with award-winning author and podcaster Mary Robinette Kowal. Learn how to conquer writing obstacles with tips on managing distractions, handling research rabbit holes, and making time to write — even when life gets in the way.Mary Robinette Kowal is the author of The Spare Man, Ghost Talkers, The Glamourist Histories series, and the Lady Astronaut Universe. She is part of the award-winning podcast Writing Excuses and a

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00:17:42

Why we misuse ‘literally.’ How ham radio got its...

Grammar Girl Quick and Dirty Tips for Better Writing ·

2025/02/18

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 as "hams" and why the term stuck.The "literally"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." You can find her at valeriefridland.com.The "ham radio" segment was

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00:33:40

How to be a ghostwriter, with Dan Gerstein

Grammar Girl Quick and Dirty Tips for Better Writing ·

2025/02/13

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 projects are available, and how much top ghostwriters earn. Plus, we explore the ethical considerations of ghostwriting and how the industry is evolving.Dan Gerstein is founder and CEO of Gotham Ghostwriters, the country’s premier ghostwriting agency. Featuring a network of more than 4,000 accomplished

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00:18:55

Why some holidays have apostrophes. Why Californians...

Grammar Girl Quick and Dirty Tips for Better Writing ·

2025/02/11

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 rest of the country skips "the" in front of freeway names. The "apostrophe" segment is by Karen Lunde, a former Quick & Dirty Tips editor and digital pioneer who's been spinning words into gold since before cat videos ruled the internet. She created one of the first online writing workshops, and she's

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00:25:57

Word games and the joy of playing every day, with Lex...

Grammar Girl Quick and Dirty Tips for Better Writing ·

2025/02/06

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 puzzles stump even the best players. Plus, we talk typos, accessibility, and the psychology of great wordplay. If you enjoy Wordle, crosswords, or Connections-style puzzles, this episode is for you!🔗 Share your familect recording in a WhatsApp chat.🔗 Watch my LinkedIn Learning writing courses.🔗 Subscribe

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00:17:10

'Toeing' the line. Metonym versus synecdoche. Ghost...

Grammar Girl Quick and Dirty Tips for Better Writing ·

2025/02/04

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 — powerful literary devices that can make your writing more compelling. The metonymy segment was written by Jim Norrena, MFA, who has been writing and editing professionally for more than 35 years in the publishing and academic industries within the Bay Area. After earning his MFA in Writing and a UC

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00:18:14

Wordplay and cartoons: Inside the making of 'AB@C,'...

Grammar Girl Quick and Dirty Tips for Better Writing ·

2025/01/30

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 collection of gramograms—letters, numbers, and symbols that form words when read aloud. We look at the history of this quirky wordplay and the artistic process behind the book’s illustrations.🔗 Share your familect recording in a WhatsApp chat.🔗 Watch my LinkedIn Learning writing courses.🔗 Subscribe to

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00:14:45

Does 'book-book' make sense? Fun words for jigsaw...

Grammar Girl Quick and Dirty Tips for Better Writing ·

2025/01/28

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 puzzles and some fun words from the industry such as "whimsy" and "puzzband."The "puzzle" segment is by Karen Lunde, a former Quick & Dirty Tips editor and digital pioneer who's been spinning words into gold since before cat videos ruled the internet. She created one of the first online writing workshops,

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