Best Grammatical Podcasts (2024)

1
Another Sad Summer 1:13:21

2d ago1:13:21

1:13:21

The one about John's toe. And some other stuff. Original Air Date: 9/23/2023 Anne Hicks-Bleecker is our editor and our theme song is by the amazing musician and composer Kitch Membery. Check out his music at KitchMusic.com. Please subscribe and review! You can find us on Instagram @mymistakepodcast and on Facebook at My Mistake, The Podcast. You ca…

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

6d 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
Like a Knight on Fire... Again! 1:08:45

6d ago1:08:45

1:08:45

Taco Bell woes and historical no-nos. Original Air Date: 08/09/2023 Anne Hicks-Bleecker is our editor and our theme song is by the amazing musician and composer Kitch Membery. Check out his music at KitchMusic.com. Please subscribe and review! You can find us on Instagram @mymistakepodcast and on Facebook at My Mistake, The Podcast. You can email u…

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

13d 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
Mistake-A-Tarians Reunite! 59:54

14d ago59:54

59:54

The meaning of life is podcasting and Sleater-Kinney and The Rocky Horror Picture Show. Original Air Date: 4/20/2022 Anne Hicks-Bleecker is our editor and our theme song is by the amazing musician and composer Kitch Membery. Check out his music at KitchMusic.com. Please subscribe and review! You can find us on Instagram @mymistakepodcast and on Fac…

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

19d 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
Episode 101 You, me and big egos

17d ago

—

Photo by Annie Spratt What’s the difference between me and you? And what’s so bad about big egos, anyway? In this episode we explore the relationship between ego and language. We move from Freud’s psychoanalytic theory to D.T. Suzuki’s explanation of the Zen Buddhist perspective. We explore Suzuki’s analysis of two poems about encounters with flowe…

1
Serbian for Beginners: Summer Vocabulary (Leto) 10:30

19d ago10:30

10:30

In this short episode we are learning new summer vocabulary and implementing words into three texts. Get ready for summer and learn something new about Montenegro! Transcript of this episode: https://www.serbianlanguagelessons.com/post/serbian-for-beginners-summer-vocabulary Support the Show. Subscribe on Spotify! Instagram page: @learn__serbian (S…

1
Future AI Trends: Strategy, Hardware & AI Security at Intel 1:02:33

20d ago1:02:33

1:02:33

In this episode, we sit down with Steve Orrin, Federal Chief Technology Officer at Intel Corporation. Steve shares his extensive experience and insights on the transformative power of AI and its parallels with past technological revolutions. He discusses Intel’s pioneering role in enabling these shifts through innovations in microprocessors, wirele…

1
229. The Marathon of Many Mistakes 1:03:57

21d ago1:03:57

1:03:57

Cat regales us with an Hysterical Mistork™ of olympic proportions. Run with your favorite mistake makers through dusty dryness with a side of wild dogs for motivation. Anne Hicks-Bleecker is our editor and our theme song is by the amazing musician and composer Kitch Membery. Check out his music at KitchMusic.com. Please subscribe and review! You ca…

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

27d 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
Fuck Another Grammatical Duck 1:18:41

28d ago1:18:41

1:18:41

Grammar is hard and so are duck puns. Luckily our listeners are keeping track of both. Original Air Date: August 3rd, 2022 Anne Hicks-Bleecker is our editor and our theme song is by the amazing musician and composer Kitch Membery. Check out his music at KitchMusic.com. Please subscribe and review! You can find us on Instagram @mymistakepodcast and …

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
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
228.The Floor is NOT Lava 55:32

1M ago55:32

55:32

We've got mistakes coming out of our inglorious ends! How does an Hysterical Mistork-Mini followed by some News of the Weird sound? Anne Hicks-Bleecker is our editor and our theme song is by the amazing musician and composer Kitch Membery. Check out his music at KitchMusic.com. Please subscribe and review! You can find us on Instagram @mymistakepod…

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

1M 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
Oops Origins: Pre-Listened Audio 55:23

1M ago55:23

55:23

The Oops is out there... again! Original air date: 6/22/2022 Anne Hicks-Bleecker is our editor and our theme song is by the amazing musician and composer Kitch Membery. Check out his music at KitchMusic.com. Please subscribe and review! You can find us on Instagram @mymistakepodcast and on Facebook at My Mistake, The Podcast. You can email us at my…

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
Episode 100 Selfish wishes for social change

2M ago

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Photo by Saad Chaudhry What are your top three wishes? Are they selfish? As it happens, your wishes may be worse than selfish—they may be toxically self-effacing. If you participate, on whatever level, in a society in which people are continually and oppressively bullied into thinking they need to be someone other than who they are, then you may be…

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
Prideful Rerun: Our Lady of the Hysterical Mistork 1:19:33

2M ago1:19:33

1:19:33

We dive into the history of the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence and the recent Dodger Pride Night debacle. Articles and websites cited below. https://www.thesisters.org/sistory wikipedia.org/Sisters_of_Perpetual_Indulgence https://www.latimes.com/lifestyle/the-sisters-of-perpetual-indulgence https://www.latimes.com/dodgers-apologize-invite-sisters-…

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
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
227. Viral Vacation 1:03:19

2M ago1:03:19

1:03:19

John played Covid Groundhog and saw his shadow. Anne Hicks-Bleecker is our editor and our theme song is by the amazing musician and composer Kitch Membery. Check out his music at KitchMusic.com. Please subscribe and review! You can find us on Instagram @mymistakepodcast and on Facebook at My Mistake, The Podcast. You can email us at mymistakepodcas…

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
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
Enhancing GenAI with Knowledge Graphs: A Deep Dive with Kirk Marple 44:46

2M ago44:46

44:46

In this episode we talk to Kirk Marple about the power of Knowledge Graphs when combined with GenAI models. Kirk explained the growing relevance of knowledge graphs in the AI era, the practical applications, their integration with LLMs, and the future potential of Graph RAG. Kirk Marple a veteran of Microsoft and General Motors, Kirk has spent the …

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

2M 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
Summer Lovin' with Patty Lin...Again 1:26:56

2M ago1:26:56

1:26:56

Patty Lin returns with some summer job mistakes. This episode originally aired on June 30th, 2021. Anne Hicks-Bleecker is our editor and our theme song is by the amazing musician and composer Kitch Membery. Check out his music at KitchMusic.com. Please subscribe and review! You can find us on Instagram @mymistakepodcast and on Facebook at My Mistak…

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
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
Episode 99 Linguistics and astrology

3M ago

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Photo by Josh Rangel What new language would you most like to know? Is astrology on your list? Does astrology count as a language? Maybe the language of the stars could be classified as a pidgin, a language without native speakers. But if, as discussed in Episode 96, ‘The Earth’s language’, languages are ways of organising information, then it migh…

1
226. All You Can Art 1:04:19

3M ago1:04:19

1:04:19

Tales from Red Lobster & Taco Bell make up this totally intentionally, meticulously planned, themed episode. Got $20 and want 180 shrimp? Got $10,000 and want some rescued art from a fast food joint? Cat and John got da hookup. Anne Hicks-Bleecker is our editor and our theme song is by the amazing musician and composer Kitch Membery. Check out his …

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
Covid, ISIS, and Some Diet Candy Walk Into a Bar... Again! 1:02:53

3M ago1:02:53

1:02:53

Cat & John have jumped to another timeline and are experiencing some... side effects. As a result, this is the original and the last time this episode aired was actually the rerun. Time's weird. What's in a name? Big trouble if things don't break your way. John presents some historically unfortunate naming coincidences in a return to the beloved (b…

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
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
225. Slo White & Old Dynamite 1:07:23

3M ago1:07:23

1:07:23

It's the Cattest & Johnest of shit-shooters. Pour a cup of tea and listen to them do their thing. You know, that thing they do? Some people like it. Anne Hicks-Bleecker is our editor and our theme song is by the amazing musician and composer Kitch Membery. Check out his music at KitchMusic.com. Please subscribe and review! You can find us on Instag…

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

3M 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
Yellowstone: A Great Place To Die...Again 1:12:01

3M ago1:12:01

1:12:01

John needs to fire the gardener and Yellowstone will kill you. This episode was first published on July 7th, 2021. Anne Hicks-Bleecker is our editor and our theme song is by the amazing musician and composer Kitch Membery. Check out his music at KitchMusic.com. Please subscribe and review! You can find us on Instagram @mymistakepodcast and on Faceb…

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

3M 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
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
224. Bad Cat Owner Husband 53:19

4M ago53:19

53:19

This episode has everything, steel-toed boots, cats in boxes, Tig Notaro (is talked about), strong coffee, and drunk bison kicking. You want this. You need this. Put it in your ears! Anne Hicks-Bleecker is our editor and our theme song is by the amazing musician and composer Kitch Membery. Check out his music at KitchMusic.com. Please subscribe and…

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 98 Linguistic singularities

4M ago

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Photo by Chrissy Jarvis Counting… that’s maths, right? Actually, it’s language. And as we’ll discover through a series of absurd tasks (like, ‘count everything you can see’), you can’t count anything until you know what ‘counts as’ a thing. Language draws the lines around what counts, and it shifts and changes as it does so. In this episode we cele…

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