The Nitpicker’s Nook: February edition

The Nitpicker’s Nook is a monthly collection of language-related articles, interviews, and blog posts. If you read something that would make a good addition, email your suggestion to [email protected]. By Carol Harrison Does the current state of world affairs leave you without words? Thankfully Planet Word, the soon-to-be museum of linguistics in Washington, DC, won’t … Continue reading The Nitpicker’s Nook: February edition →

The Nitpicker’s Nook: January edition

The Nitpicker’s Nook is a monthly collection of language-related articles, interviews, and blog posts. If you read something that would make a good addition, email your suggestion to [email protected]. By Carol Harrison Forgive me if this is a couple of months old, but it’s funny! Don’t fart in the House. What you should read before … Continue reading The Nitpicker’s Nook: January edition →

The Nitpicker’s Nook: December’s linguistic links roundup

The Nitpicker’s Nook is a monthly collection of language-related articles, interviews, and blog posts. If you read something that would make a good addition, email your suggestion to [email protected]. By Carol Harrison ’Tis the season for giving or gifting?: The Atlantic’s Megan Garber argues against gifting. Hey, girl! The analytics website FiveThirtyEight crunches the numbers … Continue reading The Nitpicker’s Nook: December’s linguistic links roundup →

Wordplay: When intransitives go transitive

Wordplay is a regular column by editor and language writer James Harbeck in which he tastes and plays with English words and usages. We’ve all learned that there are two kinds of verbs: transitive and intransitive. Transitives take a direct object—“I fry an egg”—and intransitives don’t—“My stomach aches.” But that’s not the whole story. In fact, … Continue reading Wordplay: When intransitives go transitive →

Wordplay: The new birds

Wordplay is a regular column by editor and language writer James Harbeck in which he tastes and plays with English words and usages. Imagine going out for a stroll in the woods with a friend who loves birds. You hear a bird’s song. “What’s that?” you ask. “I don’t know,” your friend says; “I don’t recognize … Continue reading Wordplay: The new birds →

In a world fraught with jargon, are we drowning in English?

By Whitney Matusiak I had a conversation with a friend of mine recently, and I casually mentioned my love for words. After that initial statement, irony set in, and I called my linguaphilia indescribable. Is that even possible? Have I failed my passion of writing and editing by being incapable of wielding its power to describe my love for it? I have a … Continue reading In a world fraught with jargon, are we drowning in English? →

Wordplay: Drawing a blank

Wordplay is a regular column by editor and language writer James Harbeck in which he tastes and plays with English words and usages. I’m drawing a blank. Here it is: Did you like it? I hope you didn’t blink and miss it. Do you object that there’s nothing to be seen? You should … Continue reading Wordplay: Drawing a blank →

Wordplay: Deck, don, and troll your way through Christmas

Wordplay is a regular column by editor and language writer James Harbeck in which he tastes and plays with English words and usages. There are some things that seem to happen only at Christmas. For instance, there’s someone who wanders around all over the place and does something on your roof. Well, OK, that’s more … Continue reading Wordplay: Deck, don, and troll your way through Christmas →