Where did our language start?
5 March - 21 mins971. Linguists have traced modern languages like English and Sanskrit back thousands of years to a single Proto-Indo-European source. This week, we explore their detective work and the debates around the origins of the ancestral tongue.
This piece was written by Kurt Kleiner, a freelance science and technology writer living in Toronto. It originally appeared in Knowable Magazine, a digital publication dedicated to making scientific knowledge accessible to all. Explore the latest at knowablemagazine.org.
| Edited transcript with links: https://grammar-girl.simplecast.com/episodes/indo-european/transcript
| Grammarpalooza (Get texts from Mignon!): https://joinsubtext.com/grammar or text "he...
We found the story behind "whim wham for a mucket"!
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."
15 mins
14 May Finished
Words, coffee, and urban planning: Eli Burnstein on the Dictionary of Fine Distinctions
984. This week, we talk about the subtle differences between words such as "stock" and "broth," "street" and "boulevard," "maze" and "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.
26 mins
9 May Finished
Skunked words. The power of pronouns. Quigleys
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.
17 mins
7 May Finished
Air worms and fire breathing dragons: Old English animal stories with Hana Videen
982. 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.
30 mins
2 May Finished
When (and How) Should You Cite AI? 'Critters,' 'Varmints,' and Beyond. Choobers.
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."
17 mins
30 April Finished
Exploring the 'Funnest' Parts of Language with Anne Curzan
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.
33 mins
25 April Finished