Stefan Fatsis has made a career out of participatory journalism. For his book Word Freak (Bookshop|Amazon) about the world of competitive Scrabble, he became an expert player. For A Few Seconds of Panic: A Sportswriter Plays in the NFL...
Rich, an audiobook narrator from Tucson, Arizona, wonders how lexicographers decide which pronunciations are preferred. He specifically wonders about pronouncing the word aioli. This is part of a complete episode. Transcript of “How Do Dictionaries...
A high-schooler asks: Why do we say throw someone under the bus when we’re talking about an act of betrayal. This is part of a complete episode. Transcript of “”Throwing Someone Under the Bus” Has a Complicated History” Hello, you have A Way with...
Puzzling over the New York Times Spelling Bee, Jordan in Cheyenne, Wyoming, played the word pipped, but was surprised that the game disallowed it. He remembers hearing the word in stories about the historic 1954 Miracle Mile race between Sir Roger...
Luke in Waco, Texas wonders which is correct: Do you stub your toe or stump your toe? And why would anyone say to a cook who makes a tasty bowl of chili You really stumped your toe on this? This is part of a complete episode. Transcript of “Stub...
Pickthank, now an archaic and literary term, denotes a sycophant who curries favor. This is part of a complete episode. Transcript of “Pickthank” I happened across a handy word the other day, pick thank. That’s spelled P-I-C-K-T-H-A-N-K. Pick thank...