That's What They Say is a weekly segment on Michigan Public that explores our changing language. Each week University of Michigan English Professor Anne Curzan will discuss why we say what we say with Michigan Public Weekend Edition host Rebecca Kruth.
https://www.michiganpublic.org
Gesamtlänge aller Episoden: 8 hours 7 minutes
TWTS: How worms of destruction begat worms of wisdom
While now we may think of being a bookworm as a positive trait, that hasn't…
TWTS: It "ghosts" without saying ... well, anything
Social media has made a couple of longstanding English verbs work or mean…
TWTS: You can pay homage with or without the "h"
If you want to pronounce "homage" to a tee, it may depend what you mean.
TWTS: Learning new slang is good "for the plot"
As we live our lives, there's some new slang words that can help us narrate it…
TWTS: Whether "or not" belongs in "whether or not" or not
We don’t all agree on whether or not we should correct the phrasing "whether or…
TWTS: Going forth and back on "back and forth"
We can talk about sending emails back and forth. But why does it sound odd to…
TWTS: You can tuna fish, but you may not need the "fish"
Given that “tuna” is a fish, some may find it unnecessary to call out that fact…
TWTS: Attend as many "trainings" as you like
There’s evidence of a new peeve arising. This one is focused on “training” as a…
TWTS: An oft overlooked double possessive
Lots of people don't like the redundancy in "irregardless." However, no one's…