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'Mini' and 'factoid' don't mean what you think, with Jess Zafarris
1167. In this bonus segment that originally ran for Grammarpaloozians last October, we look at the surprising true origins of words that often fool people. We explore why "miniature" originally referred to a red color and not a size; the true, non-factual meaning of "factoid"; and how "hello" only became a common greeting because of the telephone. We also examine the indirect eponym behind the word "gasoline."
Find Jess Zafarris online: Useless Etymology, TikTok, Twitter, Instagram
đź”— Join the Grammar Girl Patreon.
đź”— Share your familect recording in Speakpipe or by leaving a voicemail at 833-214-GIRL (833-214-4475)
🔗 Watch my LinkedIn Learning writing courses.
🔗 Subscribe to the newsletter.
đź”—Â Take our advertising survey.Â
🔗 Get the edited transcript.
đź”—Â Get Grammar Girl books.Â
| HOST: Mignon Fogarty
| Grammar Girl is part of the Quick and Dirty Tips podcast network.
| Theme music by Catherine Rannus.
| Grammar Girl Social Media: YouTube. TikTok. Facebook. Threads. Instagram. LinkedIn. Mastodon. Bluesky.
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By QuickAndDirtyTips.com
4.5
28222,822 ratings
1167. In this bonus segment that originally ran for Grammarpaloozians last October, we look at the surprising true origins of words that often fool people. We explore why "miniature" originally referred to a red color and not a size; the true, non-factual meaning of "factoid"; and how "hello" only became a common greeting because of the telephone. We also examine the indirect eponym behind the word "gasoline."
Find Jess Zafarris online: Useless Etymology, TikTok, Twitter, Instagram
đź”— Join the Grammar Girl Patreon.
đź”— Share your familect recording in Speakpipe or by leaving a voicemail at 833-214-GIRL (833-214-4475)
🔗 Watch my LinkedIn Learning writing courses.
🔗 Subscribe to the newsletter.
đź”—Â Take our advertising survey.Â
🔗 Get the edited transcript.
đź”—Â Get Grammar Girl books.Â
| HOST: Mignon Fogarty
| Grammar Girl is part of the Quick and Dirty Tips podcast network.
| Theme music by Catherine Rannus.
| Grammar Girl Social Media: YouTube. TikTok. Facebook. Threads. Instagram. LinkedIn. Mastodon. Bluesky.
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