Why 'epitome' is confusing. Quirky stories behind baby animal names. Alice doors
13 May - 18 mins1081. 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 linguistic safari through the world of baby animal names—and what they tell us about language, culture, and human history.
The "baby animal names" segment is by Karen Lunde, a career writer and editor. In the late '90s, as a young mom with two kids and a dog, she founded one of the internet's first writing workshop communities. These days, she facilitates expressive writing workshops, both online and off. Find her at chanterellestorystudio.com
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Series Episodes
How 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 ever cringed at your old voice recordings, this one’s for you.
21 mins
8 May Finished
What 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 describe when, where, and how to use words. Then, we explore why so many babies say "dada" first and why babies say "mama" almost everywhere.
17 mins
6 May Finished
The 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 agent, and how she keeps her career moving forward. Plus, she gave us three great book recommendations (and I've already read and loved one of them!).
20 mins
1 May Finished
'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 theories about the origin of the dollar sign and end with tips about how to use it.
19 mins
29 April Finished
Ghostwriters, 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 storytelling. We also talked about how ghostwriters negotiate royalties, film rights, and what makes a great collaboration work.
22 mins
24 April Finished
