Grammar Girl Quick and Dirty Tips for English

772 - The History of ZIP Codes and Addresses (Plus How to Write Them)

If you've ever wondered how to capitalize 'ZIP Code' (or is that 'ZIP code' or 'zip...

• 1
• 0
• 9 months

771 - Writing Lessons from Bad Job Applications

Our guest, Lindsay McMahon of the All Ears English podcast, recently hired and now shares the lessons she learned...

• 1
• 0
• 9 months

770 - 'Muslim' or 'Moslem'? 'Fishfolk'? 'Fishist'? What Is the Gender-Neutral Term for 'Fisherman'?

Why do we use the new spelling "Muslim" and not the older spelling "Moslem" anymore? Also, we...

• 1
• 0
• 10 months

769 - Why Do We Say 'Cool Your Heels'? What's Up With 'Zhuzh'?

Here's why we say "cool your heels" and "cool your jets"—they're different! Also,...

• 1
• 0
• 10 months

768 - Why Aren't We 'Whelmed'? And Cabin 'Fever,' Anyone?

We know we can be overwhelmed. Why aren't we ever just whelmed? Also, maybe it was having cabin fever that made...

• 1
• 0
• 10 months

767 - The semicolon is so much more interesting than you imagine

From 19th century grammatical duels to modern day suicide prevention campaigns, the semicolon has a long history of...

• 1
• 0
• 10 months

766 - 'Flaunt' and 'Flout.' 'Band Together.'

The word "flaunt" and "flute" are strangely related (flue of shame, anyone?), but don't use...

• 1
• 0
• 10 months

765 - Say No to Marshall Law. How 'Vaccine' Is Related to 'Cow.'

Why you could be forgiven for (briefly) getting excited about "Marshall Law." Plus, the word...

• 1
• 0
• 11 months

764. Skeleton Crew. Hunker Down. Uncharted. Existential.

Times are terrible, but no matter what is happening, we will always have interesting words and phrases to explore....

• 0
• 0
• 11 months

763. How to Write Better Email. 'Pandemic' vs. 'Epidemic.' 'Canceled' vs. 'Cancelled.'

Are you writing more email? We have seven ways to do it better. Also, we'll help you understand the difference...

• 2
• 0
• 11 months

762 - How to Pronounce 'Celtic.' 'Whiskey' or 'Whisky'?

Sports fans say "Seltik." Historians say "Keltik." Here's the deal. Plus, have you ever...

• 1
• 0
• 11 months

761 - Why It's Called 'Daylight Saving Time.' The Origin of the Word 'Woman.'

We're moving our clocks forward this weekend, but do you know why we call it "daylight saving time"?...

• 1
• 0
• 12 months

760 - What Is Genre. 'Bangs' Versus 'Fringe.'

760 - What Is Genre. 'Bangs' Versus 'Fringe.'

• 2
• 0
• 1 year

760 - What Is Genre. 'Bangs' Versus 'Fringe.'

760 - What Is Genre. 'Bangs' Versus 'Fringe.'

• 0
• 0
• 1 year

759 - What Does ?Mardi Gras’ Mean? "Drive to Work" Versus "Drive Home"

759 - What Does ?Mardi Gras’ Mean? "Drive to Work" Versus "Drive Home"

• 1
• 0
• 1 year

759 - What Does ?Mardi Gras’ Mean? "Drive to Work" Versus "Drive Home"

759 - What Does ?Mardi Gras’ Mean? "Drive to Work" Versus "Drive Home"

• 0
• 0
• 1 year

758 - Why 'XOXO' Means 'Hugs and Kisses'

758 - Why 'XOXO' Means 'Hugs and Kisses'

• 1
• 0
• 1 year

758 - Why 'XOXO' Means 'Hugs and Kisses'

758 - Why 'XOXO' Means 'Hugs and Kisses'

• 1
• 0
• 1 year

757 - The days of the week are names you've known your whole life, but do you know their origin?

757 - The days of the week are names you've known your whole life, but do you know their origin?

• 1
• 0
• 1 year

757 - The days of the week are names you've known your whole life, but do you know their origin?

757 - The days of the week are names you've known your whole life, but do you know their origin?

• 1
• 0
• 1 year