When it comes to language, a listener from Dallas wants to know, as a fellow Texan might put it, “who’s the decider”? Grant explains that nobody makes the rules about language, and everybody does. For those seeking professional guidance, a whole...
An interview with slang lexicographer Paul Dickson about drinking language and his book Drunk: the Definitive Drinkers Dictionary.
Grant talks about his daily work as a lexicographer. This is part of a complete episode. Transcript of “Lexicography Work” You’re listening to A Way with Words. I’m Grant Barrett. And I’m Martha Barnette. A while back, we had a call about the...
What’s the difference between a lexicographer, a linguist, and a wordsmith? This is part of a complete episode. Transcript of “People Who Work With Words” Hi, you have A Way with Words. Hello, this is Tori Cosrovi calling from Fort Worth. Hi, Tori...
Martha and Grant share some favorite Facebook groups: Ambrose Bierce was the baddest-ass lexicographer who ever lived. I judge you when you use poor grammar. What Are A Grammar? People Who Always Have To Spell Their Names For Other People. Of...
You know that grammatical “rule” about not ending a sentence with a preposition? Well, who ever decided finishing off a sentence like that is a bad thing? (Personally, we think it’s one of the silliest things anyone ever came up with.)