TagEnglish language

You Guys

If you’re talking to group of people of mixed genders, it’s fine to address them as “You guys.” After all, English lacks a distinctive second-person plural. Still, if the usage offends someone, it’s best to address them...

Night Worries

Rare word fans: uhtceare, from Old English words that mean “dawn” and “care,” is a fancy term for those worries you fret over in the wee hours. Next time you find yourself lying awake at night worrying, try reading the...

Preventive vs. Preventative

The term preventive is much more common than preventative, particularly in American English, but it’s just a matter of preference. No need to get argumentative about it. This is part of a complete episode.

Foreign Origin of an English Idiom

The idiom safe and sound tells the story of the English language in three words: safe comes from French, and sound is a Germanic word with the same root as Gesundheit, meaning “health.” This is part of a complete episode.