Grammar Girl: For Writers and Language Lovers.

QuickAndDirtyTips.com
undefined
Jul 2, 2020 • 14min

778 - Do We Say 'Red Skies at Night, Sailor's Delight' Because of the Saharan Dust Plumes? Also, 'Yoiks!'

The Saharan dust plumes can make the sky red, but they aren't the source of the old saying "Red skies at night, sailor's delight. Red skies in the morning, sailor take warning." That comes from clouds! Also, we talk about which came first: "yikes" or "yoiks."Read the transcripts: Red Skies. Yoiks.Use the hashtag #WhereIListen to show me where you listen to the Grammar Girl podcast.Subscribe to the newsletter for regular updates. Watch my LinkedIn Learning writing course.Join the conversation on Facebook and Twitter.Grammar Pop iOS game.Peeve Wars card game.Grammar Girl books.HOST: Mignon FogartyVOICEMAIL: 833-214-GIRL (833-214-4475)Grammar Girl is part of the Quick and Dirty Tips podcast network.Links: https://www.quickanddirtytips.com/https://www.quickanddirtytips.com/podcastshttps://www.quickanddirtytips.com/subscribehttp://twitter.com/grammargirlhttp://facebook.com/grammargirlhttp://pinterest.com/realgrammargirlhttp://instagram.com/thegrammargirlhttps://www.linkedin.com/company/grammar-girl Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
undefined
Jun 25, 2020 • 29min

777 - How to Write Fight Scenes (and How to Get Started as a Fiction Editor)

Fiction editor Joshua Essoe gives his best tips for writing fight scenes (hint: it's not about the fighting). And he describes how he got his first editing gig, which has led to a solid career as a freelance fiction editor.Get Joshua's book, Essoe's Guides to Writing: Action Sequences.Read the transcript.Use the hashtag #WhereIListen to show me where you listen to the Grammar Girl podcast.Subscribe to the newsletter for regular updates. Watch my LinkedIn Learning writing course.Join the conversation on Facebook and Twitter.Grammar Pop iOS game.Peeve Wars card game.Grammar Girl books.HOST: Mignon FogartyVOICEMAIL: 833-214-GIRL (833-214-4475)Grammar Girl is part of the Quick and Dirty Tips podcast network.Links: https://www.quickanddirtytips.com/https://www.quickanddirtytips.com/podcastshttps://www.quickanddirtytips.com/subscribehttp://twitter.com/grammargirlhttp://facebook.com/grammargirlhttp://pinterest.com/realgrammargirlhttp://instagram.com/thegrammargirlhttps://www.linkedin.com/company/grammar-girl Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
undefined
Jun 18, 2020 • 12min

776 - Why a Detective Searched for 'Clews' in a 1929 Novel. ‘Systemic’ or ‘Systematic’?

Our writer was surprised when he came across "clew" instead of "clue" in a detective novel from 1929, and the explanation includes a great story about the origin of the word "clue." Also, people have been wondering about the difference between "systematic" and "systemic." They come from the same root, but have subtle differences in meaning. Don't get it wrong!Read the transcripts: ‘Clue’ or ‘Clew’? ‘Systemic’ or ‘Systematic’?Use the hashtag #WhereIListen to show me where you listen to the Grammar Girl podcast.Subscribe to the newsletter for regular updates. Watch my LinkedIn Learning writing course.Join the conversation on Facebook and Twitter.Grammar Pop iOS game.Peeve Wars card game.Grammar Girl books.HOST: Mignon FogartyVOICEMAIL: 833-214-GIRL (833-214-4475)Grammar Girl is part of the Quick and Dirty Tips podcast network.Links: https://www.quickanddirtytips.com/https://www.quickanddirtytips.com/podcastshttps://www.quickanddirtytips.com/subscribehttp://twitter.com/grammargirlhttp://facebook.com/grammargirlhttp://pinterest.com/realgrammargirlhttp://instagram.com/thegrammargirlhttps://www.linkedin.com/company/grammar-girl Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
undefined
Jun 11, 2020 • 11min

775 - Why We Talk About 'Bad Apples.' 'A Few' Versus 'a Couple'

We started to wonder why people seem to forget the second half of the saying about bad apples. Plus, we settle a dispute about the difference between "a couple" and "a few."Read the transcripts: Bad Apples. A Couple and a Few.Use the hashtag #WhereIListen to show me where you listen to the Grammar Girl podcast.Subscribe to the newsletter for regular updates. Watch my LinkedIn Learning writing course.Join the conversation on Facebook and Twitter.Grammar Pop iOS game.Peeve Wars card game.Grammar Girl books.HOST: Mignon FogartyVOICEMAIL: 833-214-GIRL (833-214-4475)Grammar Girl is part of the Quick and Dirty Tips podcast network.Links: https://www.quickanddirtytips.com/https://www.quickanddirtytips.com/podcastshttps://www.quickanddirtytips.com/subscribehttp://twitter.com/grammargirlhttp://facebook.com/grammargirlhttp://pinterest.com/realgrammargirlhttp://instagram.com/thegrammargirlhttps://www.linkedin.com/company/grammar-girl Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
undefined
Jun 4, 2020 • 33min

774 - Roy Peter Clark on Civic Clarity

Roy Peter Clark has been teaching writing at the Poynter Institute since 1977 and regularly offers up some of the best writing advice I see. Today, we talked about Writing differently during the pandemicLiving up to your duty as a writer to achieve civic clarityCreating his new book, "Murder Your Darlings"Learning that one of his best writing tips (which he shares) is as old as Roman timesBeing a putter-inner instead of a taker-outterRead the transcript: Roy Peter Clark interview.Use the hashtag #WhereIListen to show me where you listen to the Grammar Girl podcast.Subscribe to the newsletter for regular updates. Watch my LinkedIn Learning writing course.Join the conversation on Facebook and Twitter.Grammar Pop iOS game.Peeve Wars card game.Grammar Girl books.HOST: Mignon FogartyVOICEMAIL: 833-214-GIRL (833-214-4475)Grammar Girl is part of the Quick and Dirty Tips podcast network.Links: https://www.quickanddirtytips.com/https://www.quickanddirtytips.com/podcastshttps://www.quickanddirtytips.com/subscribehttp://twitter.com/grammargirlhttp://facebook.com/grammargirlhttp://pinterest.com/realgrammargirlhttp://instagram.com/thegrammargirlhttps://www.linkedin.com/company/grammar-girl Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
undefined
May 28, 2020 • 12min

773 - Postal Zones. Reenter. Bougie.

How postal zones led to ZIP codes. Why I like to put a hyphen in "re-enter." How "bougie," which today has a negative connotation, came from an older word that meant simply "middle class."Read the transcripts: ZIP Codes. Re-enter. Bougie.Use the hashtag #WhereIListen to show me where you listen to the Grammar Girl podcast.Subscribe to the newsletter for regular updates. Watch my LinkedIn Learning writing course.Join the conversation on Facebook and Twitter.Grammar Pop iOS game.Peeve Wars card game.Grammar Girl books.HOST: Mignon FogartyVOICEMAIL: 833-214-GIRL (833-214-4475)Grammar Girl is part of the Quick and Dirty Tips podcast network.Links: https://www.quickanddirtytips.com/https://www.quickanddirtytips.com/podcastshttps://www.quickanddirtytips.com/subscribehttp://twitter.com/grammargirlhttp://facebook.com/grammargirlhttp://pinterest.com/realgrammargirlhttp://instagram.com/thegrammargirlhttps://www.linkedin.com/company/grammar-girl Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
undefined
May 21, 2020 • 22min

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 code'?), this one is for you. Plus, I have an interview with Deirdre Mask about this history and importance of addresses in general. It's fascinating!Read the transcripts: ZIP Codes. Deirdre Mask Interview.Links mentioned in the podcast: ESRI Tapestry. Missing Maps.Use the hashtag #WhereIListen to show me where you listen to the Grammar Girl podcast.Subscribe to the newsletter for regular updates. Watch my LinkedIn Learning writing course.Join the conversation on Facebook and Twitter.Grammar Pop iOS game.Peeve Wars card game.Grammar Girl books.HOST: Mignon FogartyVOICEMAIL: 833-214-GIRL (833-214-4475)Grammar Girl is part of the Quick and Dirty Tips podcast network.Links: https://www.quickanddirtytips.com/https://www.quickanddirtytips.com/podcastshttps://www.quickanddirtytips.com/subscribehttp://twitter.com/grammargirlhttp://facebook.com/grammargirlhttp://pinterest.com/realgrammargirlhttp://instagram.com/thegrammargirlhttps://www.linkedin.com/company/grammar-girl Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
undefined
May 14, 2020 • 16min

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 going through a lot of bad résumés and cover letters.Read the transcripts: Dos and Don'ts for Job Applications.Use the hashtag #WhereIListen to show me where you listen to the Grammar Girl podcast.Subscribe to the newsletter for regular updates. Watch my LinkedIn Learning writing course.Join the conversation on Facebook and Twitter.Grammar Pop iOS game.Peeve Wars card game.Grammar Girl books.HOST: Mignon FogartyVOICEMAIL: 833-214-GIRL (833-214-4475)Grammar Girl is part of the Quick and Dirty Tips podcast network.Links: https://www.quickanddirtytips.com/https://www.quickanddirtytips.com/podcastshttps://www.quickanddirtytips.com/subscribehttp://twitter.com/grammargirlhttp://facebook.com/grammargirlhttp://pinterest.com/realgrammargirlhttp://instagram.com/thegrammargirlhttps://www.linkedin.com/company/grammar-girl Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
undefined
May 7, 2020 • 13min

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 talk about AP Stylebook updates and end up on a fun tangent about a gender-neutral term for "fisherman."Read the transcripts: Muslim. AP Style Updates. Fisherman.Use the hashtag #WhereIListen to show me where you listen to the Grammar Girl podcast.Subscribe to the newsletter for regular updates. Watch my LinkedIn Learning writing course.Join the conversation on Facebook and Twitter.Grammar Pop iOS game.Peeve Wars card game.Grammar Girl books.HOST: Mignon FogartyVOICEMAIL: 833-214-GIRL (833-214-4475)Grammar Girl is part of the Quick and Dirty Tips podcast network.Links: https://www.quickanddirtytips.com/https://www.quickanddirtytips.com/podcastshttps://www.quickanddirtytips.com/subscribehttp://twitter.com/grammargirlhttp://facebook.com/grammargirlhttp://pinterest.com/realgrammargirlhttp://instagram.com/thegrammargirlhttps://www.linkedin.com/company/grammar-girl Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
undefined
Apr 30, 2020 • 18min

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, we take a close look at the word "zhuzh" which means to make something more interesting or attractive. You may have never seen it spelled before, and there's a reason.Read the transcripts: Cool Your Heels. Zhuzh.Use the hashtag #WhereIListen to show me where you listen to the Grammar Girl podcast.Subscribe to the newsletter for regular updates. Watch my LinkedIn Learning writing course.Join the conversation on Facebook and Twitter.Grammar Pop iOS game.Peeve Wars card game.Grammar Girl books.HOST: Mignon FogartyVOICEMAIL: 833-214-GIRL (833-214-4475)Grammar Girl is part of the Quick and Dirty Tips podcast network.Links: https://www.quickanddirtytips.com/https://www.quickanddirtytips.com/podcastshttps://www.quickanddirtytips.com/subscribehttp://twitter.com/grammargirlhttp://facebook.com/grammargirlhttp://pinterest.com/realgrammargirlhttp://instagram.com/thegrammargirlhttps://www.linkedin.com/company/grammar-girl Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The AI-powered Podcast Player

Save insights by tapping your headphones, chat with episodes, discover the best highlights - and more!
App store bannerPlay store banner
Get the app