A listener asks: “Does the phrase ‘snap, crackle, and pop’ need a cereal comma?” This is part of a complete episode. Transcript of “Snap, Crackle, Pop” Digging through the email bag here, Grant, we got something from Mark J. Drodowski in Templeton...
Martha argues in favor of the serial comma, citing a recent newspaper caption: “The documentary was filmed over three years. Among those interviewed were his ex-wives, Kris Kristofferson and Robert Duvall.” How’s that again? This is part of a...
ghost shift n.— «Very low serial numbers, like very low MAC ID addresses, are a hallmark of the “ghost shift,” i.e. the shift that happens very late at night when a rogue worker enters the factory and runs the production machine off the books...
Are serial commas always necessary? An English teacher says she was surprised to learn that she and her husband, who’s also an English teacher, are giving their students conflicting advice.
fang-banging n.— «“You know how many people are having sex with vampires these days?” The answer to this question, right at this present time, appears to be: quite a few. “Fang-banging,” as it is known in some parts of the vampire universe, is...
How did serialized melodramas come to be called soap operas? The answer has to do with the suds-selling sponsors of old-time radio shows. This is part of a complete episode. Transcript of “Soap Operas” Hello, you have A Way with Words. Hi. Hi, who’s...
