20 episodes

That's What They Say is a weekly segment on Michigan Radio that explores our changing language. Each week University of Michigan English Professor Anne Curzan will discuss why we say what we say with Michigan Radio Weekend Edition host Rebecca Kruth.

That's What They Say Anne Curzan, Rebecca Kruth

    • Education
    • 4.9 • 101 Ratings

That's What They Say is a weekly segment on Michigan Radio that explores our changing language. Each week University of Michigan English Professor Anne Curzan will discuss why we say what we say with Michigan Radio Weekend Edition host Rebecca Kruth.

    TWTS: Give our regards to "regard," even if it's plural

    TWTS: Give our regards to "regard," even if it's plural

    In regard to the use of “in regards to,” there has been some serious criticism, even though many people say it and write it.

    • 5 min
    TWTS: When breakfast broaches a brand new language question

    TWTS: When breakfast broaches a brand new language question

    If we talk about a brand-new brand, both of those brands go back to fire.

    • 5 min
    TWTS: When your ancestors are the descendants of your ancestors

    TWTS: When your ancestors are the descendants of your ancestors

    When you have a language podcast, you come across a lot of usages that make you think, “I would never say that.” A little research and a few contextual examples later, you might just change your mind.

    • 5 min
    TWTS: "Primer" is pronounced "primer," unless you prefer "primer"

    TWTS: "Primer" is pronounced "primer," unless you prefer "primer"

    When we’re talking about a small book for teaching children to read, or really any short book that introduces a topic, there are two competing pronunciations of the word for that book.

    • 5 min
    TWTS: Collective nouns collectively confuse

    TWTS: Collective nouns collectively confuse

    One jury is made up of multiple people, so when we talk about a jury, we could have the verb agree with the singularity of the noun’s grammar or the plurality of the noun’s meaning.

    • 4 min
    TWTS: Hunting for grounds once haunted

    TWTS: Hunting for grounds once haunted

    The places one haunts are often not haunted, if "haunted" means there are ghosts or spirits there.

    • 5 min

Customer Reviews

4.9 out of 5
101 Ratings

101 Ratings

EconoPNW ,

It’s Oscar Season!

Why do all the Hollywood celebrities use the torturous phrase “I’m appreciative of” instead of “I appreciate” when thanking all the little people during an Oscar acceptance speech?

This reminds me of another passively torturous phrase, “you are so missed”, in place of “we miss you.” I wonder why people adopt such affected phrasing…

GenXMeg ,

“I resonate with this.”

I love this. Please do the word “resonate.” Why the surge in popularity lately and rampant misusage?

JJS359 ,

Thanks!

I absorb books about English usage, so I have looked forward to and enjoyed Sunday mornings.

However occasionally I do miss some broadcasts, so THANK YOU for the blog! We are about to fly to see our (UM Alumna) daughter, so I am saving the blog entries as a treat during our the flight. Love it!
Jim

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