795 episodes

Five-time winner of Best Education Podcast in the Podcast Awards. Grammar Girl provides short, friendly tips to improve your writing and feed your love of the English language. Whether English is your first language or your second language, these grammar, punctuation, style, and business tips will make you a better and more successful writer. Grammar Girl is a Quick and Dirty Tips podcast.

Grammar Girl Quick and Dirty Tips for Better Writing Quick and Dirty Tips

    • Education
    • 4.5 • 2.7K Ratings

Five-time winner of Best Education Podcast in the Podcast Awards. Grammar Girl provides short, friendly tips to improve your writing and feed your love of the English language. Whether English is your first language or your second language, these grammar, punctuation, style, and business tips will make you a better and more successful writer. Grammar Girl is a Quick and Dirty Tips podcast.

    When does a house become a mansion? Giving someone house.

    When does a house become a mansion? Giving someone house.

    957. We trace the linguistic history behind "house" and "mansion" to uncover how these two humble words for dwellings grew apart, with "mansion" gaining airs — all because of the Norman invasion. Plus, we look at why someone might ask if a potential suitor "gave you any house."

    • 12 min
    From metal type to metaphor: printing terms that extended their reach. The positive 'anymore.' Gigglemare.

    From metal type to metaphor: printing terms that extended their reach. The positive 'anymore.' Gigglemare.

    956. How did terms like "stereotype," "boilerplate," and "typecast" make the leap from specialist printing vocabulary to widespread figurative language? We trace the etymology of these and other expressions. Plus, the story of positive "anymore."

    • 17 min
    Why is Black Friday black? The NATO alphabet. Byeloveyou.

    Why is Black Friday black? The NATO alphabet. Byeloveyou.

    955. This week, we're looking at the history behind "Black Friday" and other black idioms, plus what happens when the NATO alphabet goes rogue for comedy.

    • 17 min
    The science of the plot twist. Irregardless. Spug.

    The science of the plot twist. Irregardless. Spug.

    954. "Irregardless" isn’t going away anytime soon. Take a deep breath while we dig into this hated word’s history. And then, do you love a good plot twist? In honor of National Novel Writing Month, we look at the psychology of surprises in fiction.

    • 17 min
    Omnishambles! Military slang across the pond (interview with Ben Yagoda)

    Omnishambles! Military slang across the pond (interview with Ben Yagoda)

    953. In honor of Veterans Day, Ben Yagoda tells us tales of military words that marched from the British lexicon to American English and influence the way we speak today. "Omnishambles," "gadget," "boffin" and more! We'll dispel some posh myths, and you'll be gobsmacked by the linguistic invasion.

    • 32 min
    Cliches. Organic. Bully pulpit. Fimfy.

    Cliches. Organic. Bully pulpit. Fimfy.

    952. What is the boundary between idioms, slang, and clichés—and should we give "adulting" a break? We also trace the 700-year history of "organic," from bodily organs to natural growth, and ask whether using a bully pulpit makes someone a bad person.

    • 19 min

Customer Reviews

4.5 out of 5
2.7K Ratings

2.7K Ratings

DLedge7105 ,

Great show!

Thank you for the free content. I especially like learning all the things I forgot from my school days. The duration of these shows are great too, not too long or too short.

Pristine JJ ,

Amazing podcast

I want to give you your flowers
This podcast is amazingggggggg
To gain so much knowledge in so little time is truly a blessing
I appreciate everything you all do
I recommend everyone to listen

cg12zo ,

Grammar Girl

Great research and Mignon memorable anecdotes revitalise!
Good, inspiring, really limitless!
Thank you

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