Shows / Grammar Girl
Grammar Girl
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.
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Episodes
Grammar GirlFrom clay tablets to the Gutenberg press, with Keith Houston
1115. This week, we talk with Keith Houston about his book, "The Book." We look at how writing technology evolved from clay tablets and bamboo slips to papyrus…
Grammar GirlWhy we have indents. More on Formica. Running on Edgar.
1114. This week, we look at the history and purpose of indents, from medieval manuscripts to modern word processors, and the difference between a first-line…
Grammar GirlThe surprising ways we gesture about time and space, with Lauren Gawne
1113. This week, we talk with linguist Lauren Gawne about her book "Gesture: A Slim Guide." We look at how different cultures gesture about abstract concepts…
Grammar GirlVonnegut’s semicolon rule. What age has to do with language. Chocolate donut.
1112. This week, we look at why you can safely ignore Kurt Vonnegut’s famous advice about ignoring semicolons. We also look at why taking punctuation advice…
Grammar GirlWhy we say 'near miss.' How dogs got their names. Stupid dog Jackie.
1111. This week, we look at the phrase "near miss" and why this seemingly illogical term actually makes sense. Then, in honor of National Dog Day, we look at…
Grammar GirlHow to build a successful writers’ newsletter, with Jane Friedman
1110. This week, we talk with Jane Friedman, an expert on the business of being a writer. We look at how to build a strong email newsletter and why it's a…
Grammar GirlWhat is 'versing'? ‘Whatchamacallit' and other placeholder words. Chicken.
1109. This week, we look at why kids and video gamers talk about "versing" someone. Then, we look at the linguistics of placeholder words like…
Grammar GirlAI's impact on translators, untranslatable Dutch words, and more, with Heddwen Newton
1108. This week, we talk to Heddwen Newton about some of the unique and untranslatable words she's discovered while translating. She shares her thoughts on why…
Grammar GirlDouble possessives. Words that do double duty. The monkeys aren't working.
1107. This week, we look at double possessives, such as "a friend of Mignon's" and whether they are grammatically correct. Then, we look at words that do…
Grammar GirlNew words: 'beer muscles' & 'waka jumpers,' with Fiona McPherson.
1106. We talk with Fiona McPherson, a senior editor at the Oxford English Dictionary, about the playful words that get added to the OED. We look at the…
Grammar GirlHow pronouns reveal our psychology. How'd we get our alphabet? Tabagogox.
1105. This week, we look at how the pronouns you use can reveal your psychological state — for example, how using "I" versus "we" can signal how you are coping…
Grammar Girl‘Spark words’ and the hidden history of ‘panic’ and ‘Ritalin,’ with Martha Barnette
1104. This week with Martha Barnette, co-host of "A Way with Words" and author of "Friends with Words: Adventures in Languageland," we look at the concept of a…
Grammar Girl'Heat wave' vs. 'cold snap.' Why reading stories makes you smarter. Rogering.
1103. Why do we talk about "heat waves" but "cold snaps"? This week, we look at the history behind these common weather phrases and other quirky idioms like…
Grammar GirlWhy plain English matters in science (and everywhere else), with Anne Greene
1102. This week, Anne Greene joins us to talk about the importance of writing in plain English, especially in scientific fields. We look at why short words are…
Grammar Girl'Y' plurals. Bill Labov's linguistic legacy. Choo-choo
1101. Do you know when to change a "y" to an "ies" for a plural, and when to just add an "s"? Today, we look at the rules. Then, we look at linguist Bill…
Grammar GirlHow 'algospeak' is changing language, with Adam Aleksic
1100. This week, we talk with popular online linguist Adam Aleksic, also known as Etymology Nerd. We discuss "algospeak" and how social media algorithms are…
Grammar GirlPop, soda, or coke? When Q stands alone. Pizza bones.
1099. Do you call it "pop," "soda," or "coke"? We look at the interesting history behind these regional names for carbonated beverages. Then, we look at words…
Grammar GirlMetaphors and your brain. How figurative language works, with Dr. Vicky Lai
1098. We talk with cognitive scientist Dr. Vicky Lai about how frequently we use metaphors and what happens in our brains when we hear them. We also look at…
Grammar GirlCan you have a million bacons? Martha's Vineyard's unique sound.
1097. Do you wonder whether "bacon" can be plural? We look at the difference between countable and uncountable nouns. Then, we look at how the Martha's…
Grammar GirlThe surprising history (and politics) of emoji, with Keith Houston
1096. This week, we look at the world of emoji with Keith Houston, author of "Face with Tears of Joy." He discusses the long history of emoji, from ancient…
Grammar GirlIs ‘sick’...good? What we think of posh language and class. Misunderseed
1095. Is “sick” really “good”? This week, we explore how words flip their meanings and why language changes over time. Then, we look at the 1950s idea of "U…
Grammar GirlThe language of children’s storytelling, with Doug Fraser
1094. Have you ever wondered about the linguistic techniques behind popular children's podcasts? This week, we talk with Doug Fraser, also known as Dougie…
Grammar GirlWhy we drop sounds. ChatGPT is changing how people talk. Kombi
1093. Why do we say “prob’ly” instead of “probably”? This week, we look at elision in everyday speech. Then, we look at a wild study showing that the way…
Grammar GirlWhat your accent says about you (and your identity), with Rob Drummond
1092. Your accent may be saying more than your words. Sociolinguist Rob Drummond explains how accents shape our identities, how they differ across social…
Grammar GirlAre em dashes really a sign of AI writing? 'Caretaker' vs. 'caregiver'
1091. Is the em dash a sign of AI writing? I looked at where the idea comes from, and we have the final answer! Then, we look at the difference between…
Grammar GirlWhat your hands are saying (even when you’re not thinking about it), with Lauren Gawne
1090. Your hands may be saying more than your words. Lauren Gawne explains how gestures shape communication, how they differ across cultures, and why removing…
Grammar Girl‘Further’ vs. ‘farther.’ Why designers use fake Latin. Blondie hot
1089. Do you wonder when you should use "further" or "farther"? We have the answer (where there is one). Then, you’ve seen lorem ipsum everywhere, but what…
Grammar GirlWhat AI means for writers and editors, with Daniel Heuman
1088. He says he hates AI writing, but he's also the CEO of the company behind Draftsmith, an AI editing tool. Today, I talk with Daniel Heuman about editing…
Grammar Girl'The' rules you never learned. Why did Latin die?
1087. You use the word "the" hundreds of times a day, but are you pronouncing it wrong? Today I have the rules I never learned about whether to say “thuh” or…
Grammar GirlThe publishing world is changing. Jane Friedman tells us how.
1086. What does it really take to earn a living as a writer? Jane Friedman explains the multiple paths writers take — from speaking and consulting to…
Grammar GirlWhy 'plz' might be pushing people away. How to write better thank-you notes. Studaloo
1085. Do abbreviations like “plz” and “ty” actually make your texts feel less sincere? New research suggests they might. We explore how shortened words affect…
Grammar GirlWhy simplified spelling nearly took over America (and why it didn't), with Gabe Henry
1084. This week, Gabe Henry talks about his new book, "Enough Is Enuf," and the long, strange quest to simplify English spelling. Learn why the "Chicago…
Grammar GirlWhy 'wake' is so confusing. The playful language of vacations.
1083. Is it "woke," "woken," or "waked"? We break down why the verb "wake" is one of the trickiest in English, with four competing forms and centuries of…
Grammar GirlAmbrose Bierce, from ‘The Devil’s Dictionary’ to disappearing in Mexico, with Jim Norrena
1082. Copy editor Jim Norrena joins us this week for a conversation about Ambrose Bierce, his famous "Devil's Dictionary," and his darkly funny take on the…
Grammar GirlWhy 'epitome' is confusing. Quirky stories behind baby animal names. Alice doors
1081. Is an epitome a summary or a shining example? We look at why this word trips people up and how its meaning has changed over time. Then, we take a…
Grammar GirlHow YouTubers' voices evolve, with Andrew Cheng
1080. Linguist Andrew Cheng explains why people’s accents shift over time, especially when they move—and how YouTubers make perfect data subjects. If you've…
Grammar GirlWhat dictionary labels tell us about words. Why we say 'mama'. DU, STU, and LO.
1079. Ever wonder what labels like "informal," "archaic," or "offensive" mean in a dictionary entry? We explain how different dictionaries use labels to…
Grammar GirlThe secret to writing ‘the same but different,’ with Mary Robinette Kowal
1078. Mary Robinette Kowal talks about going from writing magic-filled Regency romances to Hugo-nominated science fiction, what it's like to work with an…
Grammar Girl'Lit' vs. 'lighted.' The mysteries of the dollar sign. Redd up.
1077. Is it “lit” or “lighted”? Both are correct, but we look at how their popularity has switched over time. Then we investigate four of the competing…
Grammar GirlGhostwriters, book deals, and AI: What you didn’t know about publishing, with Dan Gerstein
1076. Dan Gerstein, founder of Gotham Ghostwriters, looks at how ghostwriting fiction really works, who’s hiring ghostwriters, and why AI can’t replace human…
Grammar Girl'I.e.' versus 'e.g.' What Shakespeare actually added to English. Four schnitzels.
1075. People often confuse "i.e." and "e.g." We'll help you get them right — no Latin required. Then, in honor of Shakespeare’s birthday, we look at five…
Grammar GirlAI and the future of dictionaries, with Erin McKean
1074. Is AI good enough to replace lexicographers? Wordnik founder Erin McKean shares what works, what doesn’t, and why the future of dictionaries is far from…
Grammar GirlBetter paragraph breaks. The story behind 'mad money' and 'pin money.' Bruce bad.
1073. Today, we have practical tips for writing better paragraphs (and it's not the formulaic topic-sentence structure). Then, we look at the surprising…
Grammar GirlThe future of editing jobs in the age of AI, with Samantha Enslen
1072. Is AI coming for our jobs—or just the boring parts? This week, Samantha Enslen of Dragonfly Editorial talks about how she sees AI changing the work of…
Grammar GirlHow to write photo captions. The real difference between ‘immigrate’ and ‘emigrate.’ Ko Pha-ngan'd
1071. Is it "Taylor and I" or "Taylor and me"? We explain why photo captions follow their own grammar rules. Then, we explore the subtle difference between…
Grammar GirlThe hidden techniques behind well-paced fiction, with Joshua Essoe
1070. Fiction editor Joshua Essoe explains the hidden techniques behind pacing in storytelling. Learn how good pacing shapes reader engagement, why well-placed…
Grammar GirlWhy don't we say the L in 'walk'? Never use 'always.' PABST
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…
Grammar GirlExploring slang, AI ghost words, and language change, with Heddwen Newton
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…
Grammar GirlWhat’s wrong with "'til"? Why tiny words control conversations. How many cookies?
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…
Grammar GirlThe best punctuation book, period, with June Casagrande
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…
Grammar GirlWhy we say ‘OK.’ How tea shaped English slang. Poetry winner
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…
Grammar GirlBehind the scenes of Wikipedia: editing, accuracy, and notability, with Jonathan Rick
1064. Is Wikipedia the last refuge on online truth? With AI-generated content and misinformation spreading online, Wikipedia is growing in esteem, but who…
Grammar GirlHow did our holidays become so 'corny'? Why do some words have accent marks in English? Cubby hole
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…
Grammar GirlWhy kids can't read (and what we can do about it), with Kate Crist
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…
Grammar GirlThe mystery of ‘it’ in English. The most dramatic moments in grammar history. Ghost Town Mad, the song
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…
Grammar GirlFrom 'Parasite' to 'Emilia Pérez': How movies shape language, with Andrew Cheng
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…
Grammar GirlWhy Americans write 'canceled' but still write 'cancellation.' How printing history gave us 'fine print.' Fluff.
1059. Ever wonder why Americans use "canceled" with one L but still write "cancellation" with two? We explore how spelling rules, stress patterns, and…
Grammar GirlWriting Motivation Hacks, with Mary Robinette Kowal
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…
Grammar GirlWhy 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…
Grammar GirlHow 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…