Best Erin English Podcasts (2024)

1
Apostrophes have always been confusing. 'First' or 'firstly'? Trudy! 15:54

2d ago15:54

15:54

1009. If you think apostrophes are confusing today, wait until you hear how people used them 100s of years ago! Ammon Shea has some wild stories. Plus, should you use "first," "second," and "third" or "firstly," "secondly," and "thirdly"? Ammon Shea is the author of "Bad English," "Reading the OED." 🔗 Share your familect recording in a WhatsApp cha…

1
When to use 'the' before a noun. Why rhymes help us remember. Opening a lime. 18:22

9d ago18:22

18:22

1008. We look at why you have to use "the" before some nouns and not others, and then we dive into the science behind why rhymes stick in our memory and how they can even influence our beliefs. The "articles before nouns" segment was written by Neal Whitman, an independent writer and consultant specializing in language and grammar and a member of t…

1
044 - Help! I Have Too Many Hobbies! 54:35

9d ago54:35

54:35

I hear you...but let's talk about why this is actually a really great problem to have. In today's conversation, we'll ground into the feeling of overwhelm that so many of us meet when trying (and failing) to devote enough time to the activities we love. We'll also touch on the cultural reasons for why that overwhelm arises and how to combat it. Rem…

1
Episode 133: Scavenger Road 1:00:07

15d ago1:00:07

1:00:07

In this episode, Amy just throws around needless "n"s with impunity during a solid "scavenge", while Ryan goes from place to place, possibly with hostility, along the "road". Lexitecture is a podcast about etymology (the linguistics study of the origin and history of words). In each normal, increasingly infrequent episode, a Canadian (Ryan) and a S…

1
Why singers lose their accents. Why the 'I before E' rule is weird. 18:29

16d ago18:29

18:29

1007. Why do Adele and Susan Boyle sound American when they sing? We have answers. Plus, with all the talk about "weird" lately, we think it's time to examine the old "I before E except after C" rule that has so many exceptions it's hardly a rule at all — until you add W for "weird." The singing segment is written by Susan K. Herman, a former multi…

1
Possan Ronsee Gaelgagh - Manx Language Research Group 49:20

8d ago49:20

49:20

The Manx Language Research Group and the Manx Corpus Project In this episode, Erin McNulty talks to Dr Christopher Lewin of the University of Galway about the recently established Manx Language Research group that works to support the Manx language research community. They also discuss the Manx Language Corpus project, which aims to ensure that old…

1
Marianne Willburn on Drought and Heat in the Garden 1:07:23

12d ago1:07:23

1:07:23

Did you feel the dog days of summer WAY earlier than you usually do? Marianne Willburn and I talk about climate change in the garden and some good strategies to learn from what your plants are experiencing, without succumbing to the doom and gloom that generally accompanies the topic. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/sho…

1
Why 'I' takes plural verbs. Making names that end in S, like Harris and Biles, possessive. Marinate. 14:40

23d ago14:40

14:40

1006. We look at why the pronoun "I" seems to take plural verbs, and then we talk about a grammar topic that's in the news: how to make names that end in S (like Harris and Biles) possessive. | Share a recording of your familect story with me on WhatsApp, Threads, Instagram, or Mastodon. | Edited transcript with links: https://grammar-girl.simpleca…

1
043 - Reciprocity Is A Critical Skill 1:01:54

25d ago1:01:54

1:01:54

The word "reciprocity" came to me like a cool, shady breeze in the middle of an intensely hot summer day. Largely inspired by the book Braiding Sweetgrass, we're talking today about what reciprocity means and what the world could look like when we all start to understand and practice it in our daily lives. This conversation is SO important to me ri…

1
A brief history of English (aka when they spoke French in England). Killer death meat. 19:21

1M ago19:21

19:21

1005. You asked, so I have a brief history of English from invading Germanic tribes to the Modern English era. We talk about Vikings, the Norman Conquest, the Black Death, the Tyndale Bible, the printing press, and more. | Share a recording of your familect story with me on Threads, Instagram, or Mastodon. | Edited transcript with links: https://gr…

1
The power of words: Conscious language, with Karen Yin 42:08

26d ago42:08

42:08

1004. This week, Karen Yin, author of "The Conscious Style Guide," discusses the concept of conscious language and its importance in promoting equity and respect. We explore the differences between conscious language and political correctness, the evolution of the singular "they," and how to navigate language change. Karen also shares insights on a…

1
How to write about zero. Are your emails accidentally rude? PAPST. 17:23

1M ago17:23

17:23

1003. This week, we look at zero — what a weird number! It has two plurals, sometimes you use the word and sometimes you use the numeral, and it gave rise to a bunch of idioms in the World War II era. Then we turn our attention to email. Generational differences can lead to misunderstandings. We explain why and how to avoid them. | Edited transcrip…

1
042 - Realistic Motherhood In Your 20's - w/ Megan Nunes 1:12:06

1M ago1:12:06

1:12:06

Megan is a bestie for life (if you listened my Friendsgiving special, episode 25, you'll remember her 😎), and she is also my first bestie to give birth! Join us for a super candid conversation about her first year of motherhood and how she stays sane through all the expectations, duties, lack of alone time, childhood wounds, relationship changes, a…

1
Scott Beuerlein on Horticulture Magazine Interviews 1:06:49

1M ago1:06:49

1:06:49

Podcasters often host interesting experts in the field on which they love to talk. This episode is no different, but because the expert, Scott Beuerlein, Director of Horticultural Outreach at the Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Garden, does a monthly column interviewing all kinds of interesting people in horticulture, you are going to get a bigger ban…

1
AI: Friend or foe? A conversation with Martha Brockenbrough 22:29

1M ago22:29

22:29

1002. This week, Mignon talks with author Martha Brockenbrough about the good and bad sides of using artificial intelligence for writing and education, including ethical concerns about using AI-generated content, strategies for teaching writing in the age of AI, and the potential effects on teachers' jobs. Martha's new book, "Future Tense": https:/…

1
The unspoken rules of adjectives. The rise of 'yeah-nah.' Sundies 17:43

1M ago17:43

17:43

1001. This week, we explore the often-overlooked rules for ordering adjectives in English and when to use commas between them. Then, spurred by a recent shout-out at a Taylor Swift concert in Australia, we look at the rise of the phrase "yeah-nah" (and its American cousin "yeah-no"). | Edited transcript with links: https://grammar-girl.simplecast.c…

1
Grammar Girl at 1000: Words, wisdom, and a dash of whimsy 25:35

2M ago25:35

25:35

1000. In this special 1000th episode, I take the hot seat to answer your questions. Hear what made the first year of the podcast so wild, what I wish I had done differently, what mistakes I still make, how I still find fresh topics after all these years, and the title of my secret dream show (hint: it involves penguins!). It's a celebration of lang…

1
The birth of American English. How to recognize a phrasal verb. Cucka-nucka. 19:06

1M ago19:06

19:06

999. This week, we look at what shaped early American English, from Native American words to Noah Webster's spelling reforms. Then, we explore phrasal verbs, looking at their grammatical peculiarities and some tips to distinguish them from other types of verbs. The "American English" segment was written by Valerie Fridland, a professor of linguisti…

1
041 - Is This The Death of Celebrity Culture? 57:09

2M ago57:09

57:09

It’s no question that we’re experiencing a shifting landscape of fame and celebrity culture, but are we actually moving away from idolizing celebrities and their brands? Let’s explore how celebrity has shapeshifted over the centuries, how their current lack of advocacy for world issues is changing public attitudes, and the growing emphasis on authe…

1
Buying your hometown newspaper, with Samantha & Greg Enslen 46:13

2M ago46:13

46:13

998. This week, I talked with Samantha and Greg Enslen, who recently purchased their hometown newspaper, the "Tippecanoe Gazette" in Tipp City, Ohio. Sam and Greg shared how they are making it work, from updating antiquated systems to expanding news coverage and readership. We also discussed balancing print and digital content, the challenges of ad…

1
'Which' versus 'that.' Words for walking. Bottleadammit. 16:18

2M ago16:18

16:18

997. This week, I help you learn (and remember!) the difference between "which" and "that" with practical tips and examples about cupcakes. Then, we take a linguistic stroll through walking-related terms, including "perambulate," "sashay," and "traipse." The "words for walking" segment was written by Michaela Dunn, a Wyoming-based editor and publis…

1
Marianne Willburn, Unpacking the English Garden Tour 59:32

2M ago59:32

59:32

Marianne and I are home from our travels and in this episode we talk about the very successful first garden tour put together by Marianne and Andrea Gasper. So many fabulous English Gardens-- Rousham, Kiftsgate, Wisley, Blenheim, Waterperry, and that's just the half of it. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/intothegar…

1
Back From Travels Quick Episode 17:04

2M ago17:04

17:04

After a month away, I would like to re-introduce myself as the not serious and American garden Podcaster, Leslie Harris. I'll catch you up on how my garden fared with not much attention for over 30 days; what worked well in terms of planning for leaving it, and what didn't work as well. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/s…

1
The Hidden Stories of African American English with Dr. Sonja Lanehart 39:41

2M ago39:41

39:41

996. This week, you'll learn about the rich linguistic history of African American English with Dr. Sonja Lanehart, an advisor to the Oxford Dictionary of African American English. We talked about what goes into making an entirely new dictionary and about some of the first entries, including "kitchen," "Aunt Hagar's Children," and "do rag." Find Dr…

1
The art of punctuation and the charm of 'kerfuffle.' Nicing. 18:18

2M ago18:18

18:18

995. This week, we look at when to use parentheses, dashes, and commas and how the choice can change the tone of your writing. Then, we dive into the history of words for describing a big fuss — "kerfuffle," "hullabaloo," "hoopla," and more. The "big fuss" segment was written by Samantha Enslen, who runs Dragonfly Editorial. You can find her at Dra…

1
040 - "When You Know, You Know" & Other Myths - w/ Chelsea Horton of Healing Embodied 1:03:05

2M ago1:03:05

1:03:05

Ever been in a relationship that your heart knows is right, but your brain SCREAMS is wrong? Well, you've come to the right place. Today's amazing conversation is from Chelsea Horton of Healing Embodied, experts in helping those with anxiety move beyond their relationship fears and into wholehearted love. I've been waiting for this one. 💕 Show note…

1
Exploring the Language of 'Dune': An Interview with Kevin J. Anderson and Scott Brick 44:42

2M ago44:42

44:42

994. This week, I sat down with the prolific "Dune" author Kevin J. Anderson and the famed "Dune" narrator Scott Brick to explore the language challenges in the "Dune" series. Learn how Kevin and Scott navigated Frank Herbert's original vocabulary, stayed true to the cultural influences of the names and terms, and created an extensive pronunciation…

1
The power of sign language in 'Dune.' The words we use for dad. Chee 16:42

2M ago16:42

16:42

993. This week, we cover the strategic use of sign language by the Bene Gesserit in the 'Dune' movies, including its importance in covert communication. Then, we look at the many words for 'father' and their historical and linguistic significance, from early baby talk to more formal terms for adults. Dune sign language supercut video: https://youtu…

1
The crossword craze — now and then — with Ben Zimmer 27:11

3M ago27:11

27:11

992. What began as a simple word game in 1913 sparked a nationwide craze just a decade later, causing a moral panic and changing American publishing forever. This week, Ben Zimmer, a prolific crossword constructor and language commentator, takes us through the crossword puzzle's surprising early history and enduring legacy. He also explores the mod…

1
From 'dog' to 'hot dog.' The 'audience of one' trick. More on the long S. Footbridge. 20:29

3M ago20:29

20:29

991. This week, we trace the origin and meaning of the word "dog," from its mysterious beginning to its current use in phrases like "hot dog" and "hair of the dog." Then we go through the "audience of one" concept, which involves tailoring content to a single, imagined recipient; and we look at how this approach can make your writing more understan…

1
039 - A Different Kind of Sex Talk, Part II: Unlearning Shame 53:55

3M ago53:55

53:55

In the previous episode (which you should definitely listen to before this one), we discussed the importance of destigmatizing sexual energy and conversations around sex. It’s not a taboo. It’s actually the most normal, natural thing ever. This week, we go a bit further into the concept of shame - why we feel it, and ways to unlearn it even when it…

1
Why is this a question? with Paul Anthony Jones 29:40

3M ago29:40

29:40

990. Have you ever wondered why English doesn't have gender like Spanish and French? Which languages are the hardest to learn (and why)? And why a Q is always followed by a U? We have the answers to those questions and more this week from Paul Anthony Jones, author of "Why is this a question?" | Find Paul Anthony Jones at https://www.paulanthonyjon…

1
What is a Word? Target moments. 18:41

3M ago18:41

18:41

989. What is a word? Does "that's" count as one word or two? In this excerpt from Paul Anthony Jones' new book "Why Is This a Question," we look at how things like plurals, compound words, and contractions make defining the word "word" a tricky exercise. | Find Paul Anthony Jones at https://www.paulanthonyjones.com/ | Edited transcript with links: …

1
How a special dictionary kept soldiers connected during WWII, with Peter Sokolowski 26:50

3M ago26:50

26:50

988. Peter Sokolowski, an editor at Merriam-Webster, goes through the fascinating history of the Armed Services Editions, a series of books published during World War II for distribution among the troops. We look at the special problems of wartime publishing, the collaborative efforts among publishers, and the lasting influence of these books on th…

1
Why some sentences have double subjects. The story behind the old F-like letter S. Schwen schwen on dill. 16:49

3M ago16:49

16:49

987. This week, we look at why people sometimes double their subjects, writing sentences such as "John, he bought a car," and when it's OK (and not OK) to do so. Plus, we talk about the medial S, a strange F-like letter that makes an S-sound and shows up in old documents. We look at how it came to be, its role in English typography, and what made i…

1
038 - A Different Kind of Sex Talk 54:57

3M ago54:57

54:57

Why are westerners so weird about sex? Why are we squeamish and scared of having a conversation about sexual energy on a larger scale? Why is it so normal and commonplace for every other living thing aside from humanity? Today we're going to look into our culture's history of prudishness and how that has led us down a long road of highly misguided …

1
Marianne Willburn England Garden Tour Preview 1:11:12

3M ago1:11:12

1:11:12

Summer is coming and so are vacations. How do we prepare our gardens to get along without us? Marianne Willburn and I discuss tips and tricks on this topic and we also preview the fabulous garden tour in England that she and Andrea Gaspar have organized and I am attending! --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/intothegar…

1
Efficiency hacks for writers and editors with Erin Brenner 31:53

3M ago31:53

31:53

986. Erin Brenner, author of "The Chicago Guide for Freelance Editors," shares time-saving tips including the best practices for using Word, creating macros, and using automation tools like Zapier. You'll also learn about starting and growing a freelance business, including how to figure out what to charge, how to make ends meet at the beginning, a…

1
We found the story behind "whim wham for a mucket"! 15:34

3M ago15:34

15:34

985. This week, we look at the world of whimsical words, including the origins and meanings of terms like "dinkus," "gadzook," "petrichor" and the phrase "whim-wham for a goose's bridle." Plus, I have a quick tip about when to capitalize "mom" and "dad." The "weird words" segment was written by Michaela Dunn, a Wyoming-based editor and publisher fo…

1
Endangered Languages Project (ELP) 27:54

3M ago27:54

27:54

In this episode, Alexandra Philbin talks to Anna Belew and Akano Johnson Adewale about the Endangered Languages Project (ELP). ELP is an organisation that supports people around the world who are working to promote and protect Indigenous, endangered and minoritised languages. It provides an online space where people can access knowledge and resourc…

1
Words, coffee, and urban planning: Eli Burnstein on the Dictionary of Fine Distinctions 26:33

4M ago26:33

26:33

984. This week, we talk about the subtle differences between words such as "stock" or "broth," "street" or "boulevard," "maze" or "labyrinth" and more with Eli Burnstein, author of "The Dictionary of Fine Distinctions." Confusion about colors got him started on this path, but along the way, he gained insights into language, culture, and the subtle …

1
Skunked words. The power of pronouns. Quigleys 17:35

4M ago17:35

17:35

983. This week, we explore "skunked" words — terms going through hotly disputed meaning changes. We look at the debate between prescriptivists who stick to traditional meanings and descriptivists who accept new usages and what you should do with these words in your own writing. Plus, we learn how using "we" versus "I" alters perceptions of leadersh…

1
037 - T.H.I.N.K.ing Through Human Communication - w/ John Belmont 55:59

4M ago55:59

55:59

I always thought the T.H.I.N.K. acronym was about social media posting etiquette. Turns out, it's much deeper than that. Today's episode features my friend John, and he's here to tell us all about how T.H.I.N.K. has helped him make the most of his interactions and communication with other people, and how the rest of the world could (and should) sta…

1
Air worms and fire breathing dragons: Old English animal stories with Hana Videen 30:56

3M ago30:56

30:56

982. This week, we delve into the fascinating world of Old English with medievalist Hana Videen, author of "The Deorhord." We'll uncover the secrets of Old English animal names, from "walking weaver" for spider to the ominous "unland" for a whale's deceptive island. Find Hana Videen at https://OldEnglishWordhord.com/ | Edited transcript with links:…

1
Madeline Hooper and Garden Fit 1:03:01

4M ago1:03:01

1:03:01

What's the most important gardening tool? Your body, silly, which, if you are like me, isn't quite the same as it used to be. Is there a resource where you can learn about how to improve and maintain this tool? Yes, and it's the PBS show called Garden Fit. Can you have sneak peaks at other people's fabulous gardens at the same time? Oh yes, you can…

1
When (and How) Should You Cite AI? 'Critters,' 'Varmints,' and Beyond. Choobers. 17:39

4M ago17:39

17:39

981. Major style guides now have advice on when and how you should cite AI chatbots such as ChatGPT, Claude, and Gemini. We look at what you need to include in your writing so you're handling this kind of information credibly and professionally. Then, we take a linguistic safari through the world of animal terminology, including the histories and n…

1
Episode 132: Sparkle Crackle Twinkle Paddle Waddle Dazzle Hobble Wriggle Nuzzle 15:51

4M ago15:51

15:51

In this episode, Amy is elsewhere completely while Ryan is appreciating all over again the all-too-frequent cuteness of the "-le" suffix in English! Lexitecture is a podcast about etymology (the linguistics study of the origin and history of words). In each normal, increasingly infrequent episode, a Canadian (Ryan) and a Scot (Amy) each present the…

1
Exploring the 'Funnest' Parts of Language with Anne Curzan 33:32

4M ago33:32

33:32

980. This week, I talk with with Anne Curzan about the fascinating world of language evolution, her new book, "Says Who? A Kinder, Funner Usage Guide for Everyone Who Cares About Language," and why linguists should take marketing tips from Apple and why Ben Franklin thought the word "colonize" was bad. | Edited transcript with links: https://gramma…

1
The Spring Garden with Marianne Willburn 1:08:45

4M ago1:08:45

1:08:45

Hydrangea pruning, bulbs (tulips... are they worth it? of course), transplanting polygonatum, tchotchkes in the garden (MA thinks no, Les likes a bit of whimsy), and quite a long side path of Magnolia discussion. Oh, and the MOST important spring "chore"? Pretty easy: Look. Every. Day. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/sh…

1
The birth of punctuation: from oral traditions to silent reading. Noun clusters. A wing wang in a mucket. 16:29

4M ago16:29

16:29

979. In the first segment, we unravel the mysteries surrounding the origins and transformation of punctuation. From the early days when words ran together without spaces, to the introduction of punctuation systems by scholars like Aristophanes, we explore how punctuation has played a pivotal role in shaping written communication. In the second segm…

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