Grammar Girl

For Guy Fawkes day, we talk about the origin of "guy." Then, for some Halloween fun, we look at the difference between crypts, catacombs, mausoleums, and ossuaries, with an emphasis on their fascinating origins and some famous examples. Links in the first comment.

Did you know that to table something means different things in American English and British English? Jim Slaughter and I talked about that and all kinds of other fascinating facts about the words we use in meetings. Here are three more words that may not mean what you think they mean: ✏️ Bylaws ✏️ Minutes ✏️ Majority Check out the whole interview! Links are in the first comment.

"The more relevant, specific words you use when you prompt these tools, the better the output will be." ⬆️⬆️⬆️ Christopher Penn's top advice for using using generative AI tools like ChatGPT. Hear all his great advice in this week's Grammar Girl podcast. It was jam packed with insights and tips. Whether you're already using these tools, tried them and were disappointed, or are just curious, you'll definitely learn something! Links in the first comment.

Have you wanted to share your familect story for me to read on the Grammar Girl podcast? It's now easier than ever because you can record a voice memo and send it to me in WhatsApp! Just hit the microphone icon. wa.me/18052969928

Feeling like you're the only one struggling with your creative journey? Jonathan Small talks about the power of embracing your origin story. Check out this week's Grammar Girl podcast for more thoughts from his new book, "Write About Now," on embracing the challenges and individuality of the creative process.   Links in the first comment. #Creativity #Storytelling #AmWriting #GrammarGirl 

Q: Why did Americans start saying people have "gone missing"? A: It has to do with a missing woman and British English. Ben Yagoda has the story of "gone missing" — and a bunch of other gobsmacking words that have crossed this pond — in this week's Grammar Girl podcast. Check it out! Links in the first comment.

Who started the rumor that The Chicago Manual of Style Online is going to drop the en dash, and is this nerdy punctuation mark safe? Check out the latest Grammar Girl podcast for more fun behind-the-scenes stories! Listen: podfollow.com/173429229 Read: https://lnkd.in/gq4kHtBS Watch: youtu.be/qPSv-XFM_-0

Do the editors of the Chicago Manual of Style actually rumble with the editors of the AP Stylebook? It's just one of the things I talked about with the editors of the new edition of the CMOS. If you've ever wondered how the decisions get made about what to put into the manual and want some great behind-the-scenes stories, this episode is for you. Listen: https://lnkd.in/grud29aR Read: https://lnkd.in/gq4kHtBS Watch: https://lnkd.in/gFhgHyzh

Today's podcast gives you a rare chance to hear directly from the editors of The Chicago Manual of Style Online! If you've ever wondered how they decide on the big changes in the new editions (or the small ones) or when the singular "they" first appeared in CMOS, I talked with Mary Laur and Russell Harper about all that and more. It was a huge treat! Links are in the first comment.

8 Words to Spice Up Your Talk Like a Pirate Day #talklikeapirateday