Episodes

  • The mystery of ‘it’ in English. The most dramatic moments in grammar history. Ghost Town Mad, the song

    The mystery of ‘it’ in English. The most dramatic moments in grammar history. Ghost Town Mad, the song
    Mar 4 2025

    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 first online writing workshops, and she's published thousands of articles on the art of writing. These days, she leads personal narrative writing retreats and helps writers find their voice. Visit her at ChanterelleStoryStudio.com.

    "Ghost Town Mad" by Lex Friedman.

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    | HOST: Mignon Fogarty

    | VOICEMAIL: 833-214-GIRL (833-214-4475).

    | Grammar Girl is part of the Quick and Dirty Tips podcast network.

    • Audio Engineer: Dan Feierabend
    • Director of Podcast: Brannan Goetschius
    • Advertising Operations Specialist: Morgan Christianson
    • Marketing and Publicity Assistant: Davina Tomlin
    • Digital Operations Specialist: Holly Hutchings
    • Marketing and Video: Nat Hoopes

    | Theme music by Catherine Rannus.

    | Grammar Girl Social Media: YouTube. TikTok. Facebook.Threads. Instagram. LinkedIn. Mastodon. Bluesky.
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    17 mins
  • From 'Parasite' to 'Emilia Pérez': How movies shape language, with Andrew Cheng

    From 'Parasite' to 'Emilia Pérez': How movies shape language, with Andrew Cheng
    Feb 27 2025

    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 at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa, located in Honolulu, Hawaiʻi. His academic research focuses on the sounds of language, the social perceptions of language, and all sorts of linguistic phenomena associated with bilingualism and multilingualism. When he's not geeking out about linguistics, he can be found playing tabletop games, hiking in the jungle, or, of course, watching movies. You can find him on Bluesky and Letterboxd (for film buffs).

    🔗 Share your familect recording in a WhatsApp chat.

    🔗 Watch my LinkedIn Learning writing courses.

    🔗 Subscribe to the newsletter.

    🔗 Take our advertising survey.

    🔗 Get the edited transcript.

    🔗 Get Grammar Girl books.

    🔗 Join Grammarpalooza. Get ad-free and bonus episodes at Apple Podcasts or Subtext. Learn more about the difference.

    | HOST: Mignon Fogarty

    | VOICEMAIL: 833-214-GIRL (833-214-4475).

    | Grammar Girl is part of the Quick and Dirty Tips podcast network.

    • Audio Engineer: Dan Feierabend
    • Director of Podcast: Brannan Goetschius
    • Advertising Operations Specialist: Morgan Christianson
    • Marketing and Publicity Assistant: Davina Tomlin
    • Digital Operations Specialist: Holly Hutchings
    • Marketing and Video: Nat Hoopes

    | Theme music by Catherine Rannus.

    | Grammar Girl Social Media: YouTube. TikTok. Facebook.Threads. Instagram. LinkedIn. Mastodon. Bluesky.
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    31 mins
  • Why Americans write 'canceled' but still write 'cancellation.' How printing history gave us 'fine print.' Fluff.

    Why Americans write 'canceled' but still write 'cancellation.' How printing history gave us 'fine print.' Fluff.
    Feb 25 2025

    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 the Drawing Board to the Printed Page,” which you can find at howcomicsweremade.ink.

    🔗 Share your familect recording in a WhatsApp chat.

    🔗 Watch my LinkedIn Learning writing courses.

    🔗 Subscribe to the newsletter.

    🔗 Take our advertising survey.

    🔗 Get the edited transcript.

    🔗 Get Grammar Girl books.

    🔗 Join Grammarpalooza. Get ad-free and bonus episodes at Apple Podcasts or Subtext. Learn more about the difference.

    | HOST: Mignon Fogarty

    | VOICEMAIL: 833-214-GIRL (833-214-4475).

    | Grammar Girl is part of the Quick and Dirty Tips podcast network.

    • Audio Engineer: Dan Feierabend
    • Director of Podcast: Brannan Goetschius
    • Advertising Operations Specialist: Morgan Christianson
    • Marketing and Publicity Assistant: Davina Tomlin
    • Digital Operations Specialist: Holly Hutchings
    • Marketing and Video: Nat Hoopes

    | Theme music by Catherine Rannus.

    | Grammar Girl Social Media: YouTube. TikTok. Facebook.Threads. Instagram. LinkedIn. Mastodon. Bluesky.
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    16 mins
  • Writing Motivation Hacks, with Mary Robinette Kowal

    Writing Motivation Hacks, with Mary Robinette Kowal
    Feb 20 2025

    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 four-time Hugo Award winner. Her short fiction appears in Uncanny, Tor.com, and Asimov’s. Mary Robinette, a professional puppeteer, lives in Denver. Visit at maryrobinettekowal.com.

    🔗 Share your familect recording in a WhatsApp chat.

    🔗 Watch my LinkedIn Learning writing courses.

    🔗 Subscribe to the newsletter.

    🔗 Take our advertising survey.

    🔗 Get the edited transcript.

    🔗 Get Grammar Girl books.

    🔗 Join Grammarpalooza. Get ad-free and bonus episodes at Apple Podcasts or Subtext. Learn more about the difference.

    | HOST: Mignon Fogarty

    | VOICEMAIL: 833-214-GIRL (833-214-4475).

    | Grammar Girl is part of the Quick and Dirty Tips podcast network.

    • Audio Engineer: Dan Feierabend
    • Director of Podcast: Brannan Goetschius
    • Advertising Operations Specialist: Morgan Christianson
    • Marketing and Publicity Assistant: Davina Tomlin
    • Digital Operations Specialist: Holly Hutchings
    • Marketing and Video: Nat Hoopes

    | Theme music by Catherine Rannus.

    | Grammar Girl Social Media: YouTube. TikTok. Facebook.Threads. Instagram. LinkedIn. Mastodon. Bluesky.
    Show More Show Less
    28 mins
  • Why we misuse ‘literally.’ How ham radio got its name. District

    Why we misuse ‘literally.’ How ham radio got its name. District
    Feb 18 2025
    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 written 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 published thousands of articles on the art of writing. These days, she leads personal narrative writing retreats and helps writers find their voice. Visit her at ChanterelleStoryStudio.com.The "in medias res" 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 published thousands of articles on the art of writing. These days, she leads personal narrative writing retreats and helps writers find their voice. Visit her at ChanterelleStoryStudio.com.🔗 Share your familect recording in a WhatsApp chat.🔗 Watch my LinkedIn Learning writing courses.🔗 Subscribe to the newsletter. (Wouldn't you know it ... the week I decide to promote the newsletter, the sign-up page is broken. Ugh! If you want to sign up, send your email address to feedback@quickanddirtytips.com, and I'll sign you up once it's fixed.)🔗 Take our advertising survey. 🔗 Get the edited transcript.🔗 Get Grammar Girl books. 🔗 Join Grammarpalooza. Get ad-free and bonus episodes at Apple Podcasts or Subtext. Learn more about the difference. | HOST: Mignon Fogarty| VOICEMAIL: 833-214-GIRL (833-214-4475).| Grammar Girl is part of the Quick and Dirty Tips podcast network.Audio Engineer: Dan FeierabendDirector of Podcast: Brannan GoetschiusAdvertising Operations Specialist: Morgan ChristiansonMarketing and Publicity Assistant: Davina TomlinDigital Operations Specialist: Holly HutchingsMarketing and Video: Nat Hoopes| Theme music by Catherine Rannus.| Grammar Girl Social Media: YouTube. TikTok. Facebook.Threads. Instagram. LinkedIn. Mastodon. Bluesky.
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    18 mins
  • How to be a ghostwriter, with Dan Gerstein

    How to be a ghostwriter, with Dan Gerstein
    Feb 13 2025
    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 freelance editorial pros, Gotham specializes in sophisticated, long-form writing (such as books, speeches, and reports) for authors, speakers, and thinkers who need expert help telling and selling their stories. Gerstein, a graduate of Harvard College, has been writing and communicating professionally for more than 30 years. He started his career as a local sports and news reporter at the Hartford Courant. He then went on to spend more than a decade as a speechwriter and communications strategist on Capitol Hill and for two presidential campaigns, serving as a senior advisor to Senator Joe Lieberman from his home state of Connecticut.In 2004, Gerstein moved to New York to become a political consultant (primarily working with issue advocacy groups) and commentator. Known for his independent, thoughtful analysis, he has served as a contributing columnist for Forbes, the Wall Street Journal, and Politico. He has also appeared regularly on television as a political analyst for Fox News, CNN, MSNBC, WNBC-TV, and NY1.Among other pursuits, Gerstein, 57, has served as an adjunct faculty instructor in New York University's master’s program in Public Relations and Corporate Communications; he currently serves on the board of the recently-launched 5Boro Institute in New York City. He lives in Manhattan with his wife Simona, their daughter Ella, and their dog Ugo.🔗 Share your familect recording in a WhatsApp chat.🔗 Watch my LinkedIn Learning writing courses.🔗 Subscribe to the newsletter.🔗 Take our advertising survey. 🔗 Get the edited transcript.🔗 Get Grammar Girl books. 🔗 Join Grammarpalooza. Get ad-free and bonus episodes at Apple Podcasts or Subtext. Learn more about the difference. | HOST: Mignon Fogarty| VOICEMAIL: 833-214-GIRL (833-214-4475).| Grammar Girl is part of the Quick and Dirty Tips podcast network.Audio Engineer: Dan FeierabendDirector of Podcast: Brannan GoetschiusAdvertising Operations Specialist: Morgan ChristiansonMarketing and Publicity Assistant: Davina TomlinDigital Operations Specialist: Holly HutchingsMarketing and Video: Nat Hoopes| Theme music by Catherine Rannus.| Grammar Girl Social Media: YouTube. TikTok. Facebook.Threads. Instagram. LinkedIn. Mastodon. Bluesky.
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    34 mins
  • Why some holidays have apostrophes. Why Californians say ‘the 405.’ MIGD

    Why some holidays have apostrophes. Why Californians say ‘the 405.’ MIGD
    Feb 11 2025

    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 published thousands of articles on the art of writing. These days, she leads personal narrative writing retreats and helps writers find their voice. Visit her at ChanterelleStoryStudio.com.

    🔗 Share your familect recording in a WhatsApp chat.

    🔗 Watch my LinkedIn Learning writing courses.

    🔗 Subscribe to the newsletter.

    🔗 Take our advertising survey.

    🔗 Get the edited transcript.

    🔗 Get Grammar Girl books.

    🔗 Join Grammarpalooza. Get ad-free and bonus episodes at Apple Podcasts or Subtext. Learn more about the difference.

    | HOST: Mignon Fogarty

    | VOICEMAIL: 833-214-GIRL (833-214-4475).

    | Grammar Girl is part of the Quick and Dirty Tips podcast network.

    • Audio Engineer: Dan Feierabend
    • Director of Podcast: Brannan Goetschius
    • Advertising Operations Specialist: Morgan Christianson
    • Marketing and Publicity Assistant: Davina Tomlin
    • Digital Operations Specialist: Holly Hutchings
    • Marketing and Video: Nat Hoopes

    | Theme music by Catherine Rannus.

    | Grammar Girl Social Media: YouTube. TikTok. Facebook.Threads. Instagram. LinkedIn. Mastodon. Bluesky.
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    19 mins
  • Word games and the joy of playing every day, with Lex Friedman

    Word games and the joy of playing every day, with Lex Friedman
    Feb 6 2025

    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 to the newsletter.

    🔗 Take our advertising survey.

    🔗 Get the edited transcript.

    🔗 Get Grammar Girl books.

    🔗 Join Grammarpalooza. Get ad-free and bonus episodes at Apple Podcasts or Subtext. Learn more about the difference.

    | HOST: Mignon Fogarty

    | VOICEMAIL: 833-214-GIRL (833-214-4475).

    | Grammar Girl is part of the Quick and Dirty Tips podcast network.

    • Audio Engineer: Dan Feierabend
    • Director of Podcast: Brannan Goetschius
    • Advertising Operations Specialist: Morgan Christianson
    • Marketing and Publicity Assistant: Davina Tomlin
    • Digital Operations Specialist: Holly Hutchings
    • Marketing and Video: Nat Hoopes

    | Theme music by Catherine Rannus.

    | Grammar Girl Social Media: YouTube. TikTok. Facebook.Threads. Instagram. LinkedIn. Mastodon. Bluesky.
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    26 mins