That's What They Say
Friday at 4:45 p.m. and Sunday at 9:35 a.m.
Funner, snuck, and LOL are all things that we're hearing people say these days.
That's What They Say is a weekly segment on Michigan Public that explores our changing language. University of Michigan English Professor Anne Curzan studies linguistics and the history of the English language. Each week she'll discuss why we say what we say with Michigan Public All Things Considered host Rebecca Hector.
That's What They Say airs Fridays at 4:45 p.m. and Sundays at 9:35 a.m. on Michigan Public and you can podcast it here.
Do you have an English or grammar question? Ask us here!
Latest Episodes
-
While we may know highfalutin language when we hear it, we don't all agree about how to spell "highfalutin" or where it comes from. -
We exchange scuttlebutt at the proverbial water cooler, and there's an etymological clue in that.
-
The little clock we wear on our wrist could be called a clock. Instead, it has long had its own term, being called a watch instead.
-
Sometimes new slang jumps out in front of you, waving its hands, or thumbs, so that you can’t help but notice it. Sometimes it just sneaks up on you.
-
We can count fathoms when we’re measuring things. We can also metaphorically fathom or not fathom things.
-
This is a bespoke segment of That’s What They Say that focuses on “bespoke.”
-
If it’s up your alley, it might also be up your street. And perhaps it’s down rather than up.
-
You say "lieutenant," I say “leftenant” but let’s not call the whole thing off.
-
There’s more than one way to be wonky, and not all of them are bad.
-
Adverbs don’t always get a lot of love, captured powerfully in the writing tip “Abolish the adverbs.”
