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Author Archives: languageandgrammar
Blog Update–Comments Closed!
Since we’ve always viewed the blog as more of a source of information rather than a forum for discussion, we have decided to close the comments sections on all posts. We will re-open the comments for the Your Pet Peeves page … Continue reading
Posted in language
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Definition: Minority
I just want to get something straight since this sometimes seems to get confused: The word minority, as it applies to a population of people, means “a smaller party or group opposed to a majority, as in voting or other … Continue reading
Change Out the Football
I recently heard an esteemed celebrity football announcer say during one of the Sunday games that the referee was going to change out the football. Change out? What does it mean to change out? Is it more important to change … Continue reading
Posted in language
Tagged change it out, English, grammar errors, language
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Factoid Verus Fact
I’ve received some criticism related to my book (Literally, the Best Language Book Ever) for my tendency toward prescriptivism, and we’ve also had some negative comments on the blog for the same reason, but the “word” factoid probably explains the … Continue reading
The Opinionator on Language
One of the easiest ways to get a discussion going online is to ask people what words or phrases annoy them more than others, similar to what we’ve done on our Your Pet Peeves page. The Opinionator (Stanley Fish) at … Continue reading
Posted in grammar, language, writing
Tagged grammar, ineffective language, language, stanley fish, writing
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Word of the Year–Unfriend
The Oxford English dictionary recently announced its new word of the year for 2009, unfriend. This was no doubt made popular by Facebook, where the act of “friending” and “unfriending” happens all the time. I have wondered about the need of … Continue reading
Grammar and Language Geek Heaven
If you love language and grammar, then the page 100 Fun & Informative Blog Posts Every Grammar Geek Should Bookmark will be like opening 100 little birthday presents. I’m certainly not saying that because we’re numbers 41, 42, and 59–although … Continue reading
The E in E-mail
With the advent of the Internet, many new words and phrases have popped up in our common vocabulary, for example, Web site, on-line, and log on. Along with those new additions has arisen the question of correct spelling. Is it … Continue reading
Posted in language
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Quickly Growing Derogatory Terms
I’m guessing that the late George Carlin might have done a better job with the headline than “Quickly Growing Derogatory Terms,” but now that you can say pretty much anything on television, his headline of “Seven Things You Can’t Say … Continue reading
Posted in language, writing
Tagged derogatory terms, langauge, swearing on television, use of "bitch" on television, use of "douche" on television
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White Christmas and Global Warming
I know. I know. You’re thinking that this post has absolutely nothing to do with grammar or language, and I want to assure you that you are absolutely correct. It’s not relevant to the blog; it’s relevant to the blogger, … Continue reading
Posted in off topic, weather
Tagged global warming, off topic, paul yeager, sphere.com, weather, white christmas
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Everything Language and Grammar 