Best Jane Maynard Podcasts (2025)

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War of the dots. Why we say 'pitch black.' Pitch hot. 15:38

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4h ago15:38

15:38

1146. This week, we look at the history of Braille, from the tragic accident that inspired Louis Braille's six-dot system to the "War of the Dots"—a decades-long conflict over competing reading standards in the U.S. Then, we look at the origin of the phrase "pitch black," revealing how the intensifier "pitch" refers to an ancient, dark wood tar and…

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How a long-lost yearbook revealed the origin of 'hella,' with Ben Zimmer 30:31

5d ago30:31

30:31

1145. In this bonus segment from October, I talk with Ben Zimmer about "hella" and how even yearbook messages can be digitized to help preserve the language record. Ben shares the full story of this slang term, and we also talk about the detective work that led to the OED using Run DMC's use of "drop" in “Spin Magazine” as a citation. Ben Zimmer's …

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The origin of X in algebra. Why we say ‘how come’ for ‘why.’ Water handles. 17:37

7d ago17:37

17:37

1144. This week, we look at the origin of the letter X as the variable for the unknown in algebra. Then, we look at the phrase "how come," explaining why it's more informal than "why" and how its grammar subtly differs from other question words. That X segment was written by Peter Schumer, Professor of Mathematics and Natural Philosophy at Middlebu…

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2025 Words of the Year, with Jess Zafarris and Danny Hieber 24:00

12d ago24:00

24:00

1143. This week, we look at the 2025 words of the year with Jess Zafarris and Danny Hieber. We look at viral slang like "six seven" and cultural terms like "rage bait" and "fatigued." We also look at the dramatic rise of "slop" to describe low-quality AI content and how words like "parasocial" are changing function. Find Jess Zafarris at UselessEty…

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'Pride and prejudice' before Jane Austen. Was Parson Brown a real person? Happy Panda. 15:24

14d ago15:24

15:24

1142. This week, we look at the history of the phrase "pride and prejudice," which was used frequently before Jane Austen’s 1813 novel. Then, we look at whether Parson Brown from “Winter Wonderland” was a real person, and why his name is sometimes replaced with a “circus clown.” Links to Get One Month Free of the Grammar Girl Patreon (different lin…

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The 'sheeple' incident, with Stefan Fatsis 25:27

19d ago25:27

25:27

1141. We look at the controversy that caught Stefan Fatsis by surprise when he defined the word "sheeple" for Merriam-Webster, leading to public complaints. We also look at the origin and purpose of the obscure "Backward Index" invented by Webster's Third editor Philip Gove and how quickly Merriam added COVID-related words to the dictionary. Find S…

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The rise of the 'hamster wheel.' The many names of Santa Claus. Unattractive turtles. 14:04

21d ago14:04

14:04

1140. This week, we look at the difference between the modern phrase "hamster wheel" and the older "rat race," and why the former gained popularity. We also look at the similar concept of the hedonic treadmill. Then, we look at the many names for Santa Claus, including the Dutch "Sinter Klaas" and the German "Christkindlein." The Santa Claus segmen…

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An inspiring tutor, 'New York System' hot dogs, and 'queen spotting.' 25:11

26d ago25:11

25:11

1139. In this bonus discussion with Martha Barnette back in March, we look at Martha's pivotal twelve-year journey with a polyglot tutor who transformed her understanding of ancient Greek, starting with the etymology of "Oedipus." We also look at her beekeeping adventures, including the unknown-to-me history of the term 'queen bee' and a unique boo…

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Why Brits eat biscuits and Americans eat cookies. Why brands keep nouning everything. Hamster alert. 17:46

28d ago17:46

17:46

This week, in honor of National Cookie Day, we look at the vocabulary split between British and American English, including the differences between a cookie and a biscuit, and the two meanings of "pudding." Then, we look at anthimeria, the advertising trend of turning one part of speech into another, as in the slogan "Together makes progress." The …

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Rob Drummond on languaging and our fluid speaking identities 18:36

1M ago18:36

18:36

In this bonus conversation with Rob Drummond from back in June, he and I get into the fascinating concept of "languaging" — the idea that speaking is an active process we use to constantly shape and project our identities. Rob explains how our "speaking identities" are incredibly fluid, changing based on context, audience, and even the language we'…

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The sinful fork (and other dinner-table surprises) 14:49

1M ago14:49

14:49

1136. This week, we go full Thanksgiving, talking about the origin of butter knives, forks, and more. You'll love all the tidbits you can share with your family or friends during dinner. 🔗 Share your familect recording via Speakpipe, by calling 833-214-4475 (or via WhatsApp chat.) 🔗 Watch my LinkedIn Learning writing courses. 🔗 Subscribe to the new…

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Why print dictionaries still matter, with Peter Sokolowski 35:31

1M ago35:31

35:31

1135. This week, we talk with Peter Sokolowski, editor at large at Merriam-Webster, about the new print 12th Collegiate Dictionary. We look at why print still matters, how the dictionary used lookup data to decide which words to drop (least looked-up compounds), and the importance of serendipity when researching words in a physical book. Find Peter…

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Personification in language and AI. Dictums, maxims, and proverbs. Expensitive. 17:26

1M ago17:26

17:26

1134. This week, we look at the poetic power of personification (the language quirk that gives human traits to nonhuman things) and why style guides advise against using it for AI. Then, we look at the different names for common sayings, defining a proverb and breaking down the four main types: maxim, adage, dictum, and truism. The personification …

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The secret rules of crossword puzzles, with Natan Last 29:16

2M ago29:16

29:16

1133. This week, crossword pro Natan Last talks about his book "Across the Universe." We look at the technical and cultural differences between American and British puzzle styles and the secrets that will surprise you about how clues are written and edited. We also look at "crosswordese," the long submission process for the “New York Times,” and th…

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How '23 skidoo' & 'at sixes and sevens' are related to '6-7.' 18:09

2M ago18:09

18:09

1132. This week, in honor of Dictionary.com choosing "6-7" as its Word of the Year, we look at the origin of other number phrases: "23 skidoo" and "at sixes and sevens." 🔗 Share your familect recording in a WhatsApp chat. 🔗 Watch my LinkedIn Learning writing courses. 🔗 Subscribe to the newsletter. 🔗 Take our advertising survey. 🔗 Get the edited tra…

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What a ‘Science' magazine experiment says about the future of AI in journalism, with Abigail Eisenstadt 23:53

2M ago23:53

23:53

1131. This week, we talk with ‘Science' magazine senior writer Abigail Eisenstadt about her team's year-long experiment testing ChatGPT's ability to summarize research papers. We look at their methodology, the limitations they realized, and their main finding: that AI could “transcribe” scientific studies but failed to “translate” them with context…

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What Roman togas have to do with today's elections. 'Home in' versus 'hone in.' 16:05

2M ago16:05

16:05

1130. This week, we look at words related to elections, and then I help you remember the difference between "home in" and "hone in" with a tip that includes a shocking historical tidbit about spiders. 🔗 Share your familect recording in a WhatsApp chat. 🔗 Watch my LinkedIn Learning writing courses. 🔗 Subscribe to the newsletter. 🔗 Take our advertisi…

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Finding the true history of words, with Ben Zimmer 26:52

2M ago26:52

26:52

1129. This week, we talk with Ben Zimmer about the linguistic detective work of antedating words — finding earlier usages than those published in dictionaries. We look at the surprising origins of "Ms.," "scallywag," and the baseball history of "jazz." Find Ben on his website: Benzimmer.com Vietnam Graffiti Project at Texas Tech's Vietnam Center: h…

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‘Ghost words’ and their history. Rules for ‘between’ and ‘among.’ Wilsoning. 14:02

2M ago14:02

14:02

1128. This week, in honor of Halloween, we look at “ghost words” and phrases, from “ghost runners” in baseball to “ghost forests” made by earthquakes. We also look at the difference between “between” and “among” for collective groups. Episodes mentioned in this episode: 734 - Ghost Words 1056 - How to be a ghostwriter, with Dan Gerstein 🔗 Share you…

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How to be a ‘feisty freelancer,’ with Suzanne Bowness 28:09

2M ago28:09

28:09

1127. This week, we talk with Suzanne Bowness about creating a successful life as a writer. We look at high-value industries that are good targets for freelance work and the best job titles to pitch. Suzanne provides practical advice on tracking projects and follow-ups and explains why established freelancers should use their downtime to experiment…

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Shakespeare's ‘wherefore’ and other false friends. The language of fear. A Tom. 17:10

2M ago17:10

17:10

1126. This week, we look at words for fear and why "wherefore" doesn't mean what many people think it means. The false friends segment was written by Karen Lunde, a career writer and editor. These days, she designs websites for solo business owners who care about both words and visuals. Find her at chanterellemarketingstudio.com. 🔗 Share your famil…

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Why Q needs U and how hieroglyphics created our alphabet, with Danny Bate 37:49

3M ago37:49

37:49

1125. This week, we talk with linguist and author Danny Bate about his book, "Why Q Needs U." We look at the ancient origins of our alphabet, tracing its conceptual leap from Egyptian hieroglyphs to symbols that represent sounds. Danny explains the "acrophonic principle" (one sound from a picture) and why the letter A was originally a consonant, no…

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The political, royal and obscene meanings of blue. The differences in ‘plumb’ and plum.’ 15:10

3M ago15:10

15:10

1124. This week, we look at blue idioms, including the political history of "blue states," the medical reason for being "blue in the face," and the astronomical reason for a "blue moon." Then, we look at the difference between 'plumb' (with a B), and 'plum' (without a B). 🔗 Share your familect recording in a WhatsApp chat. 🔗 Watch my LinkedIn Learn…

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The fight for the modern dictionary, with Stefan Fatsis 32:52

3M ago32:52

32:52

1123. This week, we talk with author and self-described “word freak” Stefan Fatsis about his book "Unabridged." He shares his experience embedding at Merriam-Webster to become a lexicographer, sharing the contrast between the company's 1940s headquarters and the modern digital business. We look at the tension between updating old words (like the su…

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‘Math’ versus ‘maths’ and other British differences. ‘Spendthrift’ means what? 13:22

3M ago13:22

13:22

By Mignon Fogarty, Samantha Enslen, Karen Lunde

Jane Maynard Podcasts

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This Week for Dinner

Jane Maynard

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Grammar Girl Quick and Dirty Tips for Better Writing

QuickAndDirtyTips.com

1
War of the dots. Why we say 'pitch black.' Pitch hot. 15:38

1
How a long-lost yearbook revealed the origin of 'hella,' with Ben Zimmer 30:31

1
The origin of X in algebra. Why we say ‘how come’ for ‘why.’ Water handles. 17:37

1
2025 Words of the Year, with Jess Zafarris and Danny Hieber 24:00

1
'Pride and prejudice' before Jane Austen. Was Parson Brown a real person? Happy Panda. 15:24

1
The 'sheeple' incident, with Stefan Fatsis 25:27

1
The rise of the 'hamster wheel.' The many names of Santa Claus. Unattractive turtles. 14:04

1
An inspiring tutor, 'New York System' hot dogs, and 'queen spotting.' 25:11

1
Why Brits eat biscuits and Americans eat cookies. Why brands keep nouning everything. Hamster alert. 17:46

1
Rob Drummond on languaging and our fluid speaking identities 18:36

1
The sinful fork (and other dinner-table surprises) 14:49

1
Why print dictionaries still matter, with Peter Sokolowski 35:31

1
Personification in language and AI. Dictums, maxims, and proverbs. Expensitive. 17:26

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The secret rules of crossword puzzles, with Natan Last 29:16

1
How '23 skidoo' & 'at sixes and sevens' are related to '6-7.' 18:09

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What a ‘Science' magazine experiment says about the future of AI in journalism, with Abigail Eisenstadt 23:53

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What Roman togas have to do with today's elections. 'Home in' versus 'hone in.' 16:05

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Finding the true history of words, with Ben Zimmer 26:52

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‘Ghost words’ and their history. Rules for ‘between’ and ‘among.’ Wilsoning. 14:02

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How to be a ‘feisty freelancer,’ with Suzanne Bowness 28:09

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Shakespeare's ‘wherefore’ and other false friends. The language of fear. A Tom. 17:10

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Why Q needs U and how hieroglyphics created our alphabet, with Danny Bate 37:49

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The political, royal and obscene meanings of blue. The differences in ‘plumb’ and plum.’ 15:10

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The fight for the modern dictionary, with Stefan Fatsis 32:52

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‘Math’ versus ‘maths’ and other British differences. ‘Spendthrift’ means what? 13:22