Words You Should Know

A few stolen minutes out of your day to talk words and communication, because our daily lives are surrounded by the evolution and influence of words. Forget the grammar police. There is so much more to this conversation.

Welcome to episode number 45, where we’re talking distress signals—not because we’re feeling distressed necessarily, at least I hope note, but because there are secret grammar mistakes hiding in plain sight if you know where to look for them. Really? Yes indeed. Or if you don’t have language correction tendencies, let’s bring it down to a simple question: where does the word “Mayday” come from?

How about S.O.S.?

There are stories here, folks, and we’ll get into them today.

But first, let’s dive into…

And we have a lot worth touching on today. Rather than going in depth into any of these stories, I’m going to remind you that links to all of these updates are in the show notes.

Here are the top 7 language news stories since our last episode:

That’s seven stories.

There’s so much more to cover. In fact, I had trouble narrowing down the top stories for this episode, so follow my social media feeds to stay in the loop with the latest in communications news. Follow me @KrisSpisak on Twitter and @KSWriting on Facebook.

Links to everything I’ve mentioned are in the show notes on my website. Intrigued? Excited about what you can bring to your next water cooler conversation? (Whether it’s an actual water cooler or something along those lines on Zoom?) You could argue that how we as people connect with each other is changing faster than ever, couldn’t you.

More on communications news next time, though. It’s time to dive into to today’s…

Have you ever wondered where the word “Mayday” comes from? Does it have something to do with the first of May and a Maypole? No.

Does it have something to do with permissions and a Jennifer Garner movie, where the grownups say yes to everything the kids ask for a single day? Nope, that’s “Yes Day,” not Mayday. “Can” vs. “may” conversations aside…

So, mayday, mayday. Let’s explore where this term comes from.

Let’s set the scene.

You’re on a ship, sailing across the Atlantic Ocean. A storm, far out on the horizon, is already producing waves that bounce your vessel up and down, into peaks and valleys, crests and troughs, and then comes the wind, tearing at anyone on deck, and the rain, whipping the sleeves of your shirt and the hair on your head, and the thunder that booms so loud it echoes across the roiling sea…

Okay, am I channeling Daniel Defoe’s Robinson Caruso? Maybe. Maybe not.

But what is a ship captain to do? How do they signal their distress?

Mayday. Mayday. It’s spelled as one word, not two, for you know if there was a space involved, we’d be back to the first of May, talking picnics and May pole dances.

You know the word, but what about it’s origin?

Supposedly, “mayday” was coined by Frederick Stanley Mockford, a senior radio officer in Croydon, a town in England, but whether he’s the first official person to say this is not quite proven. That’s not the important part of the story.

Mayday was first tested as an emergency distress signal on planes that flew between England and France across the English Channel, as well as with air traffic between the U.S. and France.

You’re seeing France as a big part of this story, and it will all start coming together for you here. The word “Mayday” comes from the French phrase similarly pronounced “m’aider” (excuse my terrible French accent; that’s “M-apostrophe-A-I-D-E-R), which is a simple, literal request. Help me. And when that call out is Anglicized, we get “mayday” (M-A-Y-D-A-Y).

But wait … there’s a problem. This must be fake news. Why the hesitation? Well, it comes down to grammar. Because while logically, to one who doesn’t speak strong French, “M’aider” would translate to “help me”; to others who do indeed speak proper French, they would say … um … no. Or perhaps something slightly more eloquent. French speakers listening, please fill in this blank with the appropriate language to use when shaking your head at someone getting your language wrong. I know. It happens.

Apparently, “help me” would be said a bit differently in French. “M’aider” translates as “help me to … ” but technically, it would need a verb to make sense. Like, “help me translate this, please” or “help me to not make a grammar mistake as I’m setting international communications protocol.”

It’s a simple language mistake. “M’aider” doesn’t—or should I say “shouldn’t”—stand alone.

But hey, that’s what I’m here for with the English language. We all have to keep helping each other out with the language cause.

However, does this grammar flaw point to fake news entirely with this French language word origin story with mayday? Oh, for a moment, it seems so. There are so many fake news stories out there. But then I’ll ask another question. What was the background of those who introduced “mayday” to the world?

If it was indeed Frederick Stanley Mockford, he was English. And if it was somebody else, my bet is that they weren’t French but loosely familiar with the French language.

And we can’t end this conversation without a shout-out to S.O.S., which was the primary distress signal used that needed to be replaced. And yes, there were others—that’s a different conversation—but let’s just talk S.O.S. for now.

Why did S.O.S. need to be replaced or supplemented? Well, S.O.S. is often thought to be an acronym for “Save our souls or “save our ship,“ but it was introduced during the Morse Code era, and that telegraphic form holds the answer to its meaning. “S.O.S.” was a collection of short and long dots and dashes than were adapted as a distress signal because the pattern stood out and was easily recognizable ( . . . – – – . . . ). Sadly, I think I learned the pattern in my childhood from a S.O.S. brand steel wool soap pad commercial with dirty dishes in a sink clanging it out, but you probably have a much more academic memory of leaning this than me.

S.O.S. was powerful, easy Morse code for those communicating via telegraph. However, while ships used telegraphs, airplanes did not. As aircraft were put to use more and more, they used radio, and shouting out S.O.S. is not as clear as it could be. S’s were often mistaken for F’s, and in a moment of absolute urgency, do you think anyone would have the state of mind or even the time to clarify?

“No, excuse me, let me repeat. That’s S like Sam. O like Oreo.”

Or to use the International Radiotelephony Spelling Alphabet (IRDS)—think Alpha, Bravo, Charlie—do you want that captain or pilot to shout into the radio, “Sierra. Oscar. Sierra. Sierra Oscar Sierra!”

What?

Actually, let me go back in time more, we’re talking before the standard usage Military Phonetic Alphabet, which wasn’t greatly used until World War 11. Back in 1927, it would not have been Sierra, Oscar, Sierra, but Santiago, Oslo, Santiago, because the early version used city names from across the world.

You see the problem. Nobody needs that confusion shouted over the radio in a moment of distress.

And to come full circle, after the early tests that tried out the new distress signal, the International Radio Telegraph Convention, also in 1927, lists 51 Rules, and the official usage of “mayday” (M-A-Y-D-A-Y) was among them. Clarity. Speed. This is what was needed. And where was this convention held? Washington, D.C. A place not known for its proper French grammar.

So Mayday, from the French m’aider, which isn’t correct French, but they were trying. And trying is good. But it stuck, jumped, and solidified into to English before anyone really could stop it.

Also in 1927, the United States formally adopted “Mayday” as an official radiotelegraph distress signal, explaining in Article 19 of their resolution that “mayday” originates in “the French pronunciation of the expression m’aider.”

Language takes off like that sometimes. And sometimes it goes in the wrong direction. We see it happen. Sigh. Language. It can’t be controlled sometimes. Should we call for an S.O.S.? Nah, but let’s hang on for the ride.

I’m going to twist our conversation in a different direction. If multiple distress signals were coming in at the same time, maybe the radio operators would have to prioritize and organize the help needed. If all emergencies were equal, would they say: “First come, first serve” or “first come, first served”?

Sure, this is an expression often discussed more in line with restaurants and delis, but it’s something to know either way.

Only one is correct: “First come, first serve” or “First come, first served” (with that d). Do you know?

The answers, as always, can be found on my website, at GetAGripOnYourGrammar.com.

For my personal update, I know I shared in the last episode the exciting news that my first novel, The Baba Yaga Mask, is coming in April 2022. Yes, my first novel, though it will be my fourth book. But today’s update goes in a slightly different direction.

Amid the pandemic, like all of you, I haven’t been to many big events over the past two years, and thus, a number of my favorite workshops and programs that I love to do with audiences were either put on hold or done virtually. And virtually is great—not quite the same as being with a live audience, but still fun and workable.

But this month and next, I actually have a number of in-person events we’re attempting. Outdoors for some, masked for others, distanced and thoughtful hopefully with all. But live audiences. For my Grammartopia programs, for my Story Stop Tour programs. I am tentatively thrilled and excited. Tentatively. So much tentatively.

I hope you and your words are doing well, everyone. I know we’ve all had enough with feelings of S.O.S. and Mayday. Maybe we should channel The New York Times and their feelings of “exhilaration” around changes. What do you think?

Sign up for my English language tips and trivia email newsletter for more articles and podcasts like this.

If you like what you’ve been hearing, don’t forget to subscribe to this podcast (via Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Android, Google Podcasts, Stitcher, or RSS) so you’ll never miss out on another word you should know. Many thanks to those of you who have taken the time to rate my show wherever you listen.

Words. Language. Communications. We’ve got this.

The post #45 – A Grammar Mayday Over “Mayday” & the Latest in Words You Should Know appeared first on Kris Spisak.

A few stolen minutes out of your day to talk words and communication, because our daily lives are surrounded by the evolution and influence of words. Forget the grammar police. There is so much more to this conversation.

Welcome to episode number 44. I’m pleased as Punch that I’m back, though I’m, of course, not nearly as aggressive as the origins of that expression. “Pleased as Punch.” Sparked from violence? From a spiked party drink? No. Well, not quite how you’d think. Punch drunk. Feeling punchy. Punch lines.

So many stories, and we’re not pulling punches in today’s conversation, but first, after such a long break, let’s dive into…

Now, you’d think when it comes to news about the English language, that a few months of summer break wouldn’t be that dramatic. This language of ours, or a version of it, has been around for an incredibly long time. Yet… we have so much to discuss.

We’ve talked about how artificial intelligence models have been advancing when it comes to natural language processing, how GPT-3 threw the world for a loop, being able to generate sentences, poetry, news articles, textbooks, and so much more. Some panicked. Many were excited. Many more were perhaps confused. Either way, GPT-3 from OpenAI will go down in the history books as a defining moment of transformation when it comes to machine-learning and language processing.

Now in August, (and I’m recording this in September 2021 so future listeners have that in perspective), in August 2021, Tel Aviv-based artificial intelligence startup AI21 Labs introduced a program they’ve named “Jurassic,” which released as an “open beta,” meaning there are far fewer restrictions for access, as compared to GPT-3, which requires wait lists and similar hurdles. With different parameters, “Jurassic” is said to have more “depth” and “expressivity,” but we’ll see what happens next.

There is so much to follow with AI language technology. Not only who the players are and what the technology can do, but what does this mean for the ease of creating fake news, the continuation of past biases captured in the many texts these systems are using as the foundation of their learning, and on the positive side, how these tools can be used to take storytelling and communication to heights not yet imagined. More on all sides of this conversation coming soon.

And speaking of discoveries that are transforming our understandings of things, did you hear that experts have recently decoded a 700-year old King Arthur manuscript, one of the earliest versions of the tales, which had its pages recycled into the bindings of four volumes of French philosophy texts?

The discovery was made in 2019, but the text has only recently been taken apart, with the roots of so much we know about Camelot, as well as some fascinating differences. A romance for Merlin? Oh yeah, that’s there and more.

There’s so much more to cover—and links to everything I’ve mentioned are in the show notes on my website—but I’ll save further explorations for the next episode. It’s time to dive into to today’s…

Did you know September 20th is National Rum Punch Day? No? Well, as I’m recording this on September 20th, maybe I’ll just have to raise a glass when I turn off my microphone—nope, no ice cubes clinking in the background at the moment, but cheers to you all the same.

The word “punch,” as in the drink, most likely comes from a Sanskrit word (pañc), meaning “five.” Why “five”? Well, it’s said the drink was originally made from five ingredients: alcohol, sugar, lemon, water, and either tea or spices, depending on the source. High five to that? Or are you now thinking about being punch drunk?

Perfect association, I know, but the expression “punch drunk” doesn’t come from drinking too much alcoholic punch at a seventeenth century British literary salon or a twentieth or twenty-first century frat party. Much like “slap happy,” which first arose in the 1930s, “punch drunk” was first coined in the 1910s, in reference to mental impairment after repeated blows to the head. Yikes. I know there’s a lot of history there, but boxing is not my sport. Not my cup of tea—or should I say, not my cup of punch?

So “punch,” the drink, comes from Sanskrit, but “punch” as in a jab, as in a one-two punch, body blow, or any other version of a forceful strike, this word comes from a Middle English word (pouncen) meaning to “emboss” or “pierce.” Think about a hole puncher, and you’ll see the connection. Then jump that forceful piercing or embossing action into a verb form with your fist, and there you go… or at least that seems to be the story.

“Punch” actually shares a similar etymological root with the word “pounce.” The feline equivalent of a punch? Maybe. There’s a linguistic connection you might not have seen coming.

Are you feeling pleased as Punch that this is coming all together? Well, me too, but that saying with “punch” adds more to the conversation.

Pleased as Punch actually has a capital “P” with “punch.” And if that’s not enough of a hint for you, let’s go back in time and back to the U.K. to talk about “Punch and Judy” shows, as in marionettes and later hand puppet shows. Punch and Judy were once named along with double-decker buses, Sherlock Holmes and bowler hats, as icons of England.

Now the character Punch is famously violent. Hilariously so? Well, I’d personally put that one up for debate, but he brought generations of audiences to laugher.

But his name, “Punch,” didn’t come from his blows. His name comes from the a popular character in Italian masked comedy shows (“Punchinello”), and this character’s name likely came from an Italian word for chicken or chick—not because of any note of cowardice but because of his beak-like nose, which did also segue over to the British puppet “Punch.”

And the idea of a “punch line,” as in the end of a joke that brings it all together with hilarity, this also comes back to Punch of “Punch and Judy” fame. Punch was the one who always got the line to end the joke, so the “punchline” has nothing to do with a thrown punch to finish the bout. It’s all about Punch the puppet getting the final word. For better or for worse.

Though perhaps Charles Dickens punched it all up a notch, because rather than writing “pleased as Punch,” in David Copperfield, he wrote the expression “proud as Punch,” which could have been his own spin or it could have been a mistake that simply stuck… but either way, he added his name into this conversation as well.

Boom. Pow.

Wow. And I think that’s all I’ve got today. Oh, it feels good to be back.

Turning to this episode’s…

Let me tell you something that doesn’t jive with me…

Or should I say, let me tell you something that doesn’t jibe with me…

Oh, I could finish this sentence in so many ways! But if I was going to talk about something I just simply don’t agree with, how would I spell that word? If something doesn’t jive with you… If something doesn’t jibe with you…

I know there’s a lot of conflict in the media these days, but I’ve caught this expression wrong in more news reports and opinion pieces than I can name lately. Do you know the answer? Double-check yourself.

The answers, as always, can be found on my website, at GetAGripOnYourGrammar.com.

I’ve been referencing, for a while, a big projects on the horizon, and folks, I cannot contain the excitement to announce here that my debut novel is coming in 2022 from Wyatt MacKenzie Publishing. Yes, this is my fourth book, but it’s my first in fiction. The Baba Yaga Mask is a tale of two contemporary sisters on a wild goose chase across eastern Europe to find their lost grandmother, who is obsessed with Baba Yaga folktales and how they can solve all the world’s problems, and in these sisters’ chase, they not only uncover their family’s the World War II past in Ukraine but also a greater understanding of themselves, each other, and so much more.

Everything I love is wrapped up in this novel. Language. The power of stories. Words that change the world. Family histories. Stay tuned for more details.

And no matter whether it’s National Rum Day when you hear this or not, I’m raising a glass to how powerful storytelling and communications can indeed change the world when we give it our best shot.

Sign up for my English language tips and trivia email newsletter for more articles and podcasts like this.

If you like what you’ve been hearing, don’t forget to subscribe to this podcast (via Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Android, Google Podcasts, Stitcher, or RSS) so you’ll never miss out on another word you should know. Many thanks to those of you who have taken the time to rate my show wherever you listen.

Words. Language. Communications. We’ve got this.

The post #44 – Pleased as Punchy Punch with a Drink & the Latest in Words You Should Know appeared first on Kris Spisak.

A few stolen minutes out of your day to talk words and communication, because our daily lives are surrounded by the evolution and influence of words. Forget the grammar police. There is so much more to this conversation.

Apple Podcasts  |  Android  |  Spotify  |  Amazon Music  |  YouTube

Welcome to the summer series of the Words You Should Know podcast, where no, I’m not going to go into the etymology of summer, dog days, or solstice (been there, done that). But, instead, we’ll revisit “Story Stop Tour” events of earlier this year and popular episodes you may have missed from years past. This will be a seven episode break, with new episodes resuming on Wednesday, September 22nd, 2021.

So welcome to the encore of Episode 14: “The plural form of ‘you’ already exists (and all these other words you’ve always wanted),” originally released January 23, 2019. Enjoy the show!

See Episode #14 of the Words You Should Know podcast.

Sign up for my English language tips and trivia email newsletter for more articles and podcasts like this.

If you like what you’ve been hearing, don’t forget to subscribe to this podcast (via Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Android, Google Podcasts, Stitcher, or RSS) so you’ll never miss out on another word you should know. Many thanks to those of you who have taken the time to rate my show wherever you listen.

Words. Language. Communications. We’ve got this.

The post “The Plural form of ‘You’ Already Exists” – encore episode appeared first on Kris Spisak.

A few stolen minutes out of your day to talk words and communication, because our daily lives are surrounded by the evolution and influence of words. Forget the grammar police. There is so much more to this conversation.

Apple Podcasts  |  Android  |  Spotify  |  Amazon Music  |  YouTube

Welcome to the summer series of the Words You Should Know podcast, where no, I’m not going to go into the etymology of summer, dog days, or solstice (been there, done that). But, instead, we’ll revisit “Story Stop Tour” events of earlier this year and popular episodes you may have missed from years past. This will be a seven episode break, with new episodes resuming on Wednesday, September 22nd, 2021.

What are my Story Stops? Imagine a program where you take a pause in your life to consider the stories that have shaped you into who you are. That’s what my third book, The Family Story Workbook, is all about, and at my Story Stop Tour events, I’ve been honored to hear the stories of talented authors, poets, and wordsmiths as they dive into their memories and invite you to dive into yours. You can learn more about these events at StoryStopTour.com.

This is the encore of “Story Stop: Enter the Toastmasters,” originally held on April 9, 2021, and now replayed for you here on the “Words You Should Know” podcast. Enjoy the show!

And if podcasts aren’t your style, here’s the event via YouTube:

The video from the event can also be found from the original broadcast on Facebook Live and Twitter.

Event Summary:

“Story Stop: Enter the Toastmasters” will bring you behind the scenes into the lives of four amazing speakers and storytellers, Joan Bowling, Roger Caesar, Shanna Kabatznick, and Gayle Turner.

Everyone has stories to tell, and capturing them can be not only a special effort but a profound personal or family project. Maybe after listening in, you’ll feel called to capture the stories of your own.

Sign up for my English language tips and trivia email newsletter for more articles and podcasts like this.

If you like what you’ve been hearing, don’t forget to subscribe to this podcast (via Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Android, Google Podcasts, Stitcher, or RSS) so you’ll never miss out on another word you should know. Many thanks to those of you who have taken the time to rate my show wherever you listen.

Words. Language. Communications. We’ve got this.

The post Story Stop: Enter the Toastmasters (encore episode) appeared first on Kris Spisak.

A few stolen minutes out of your day to talk words and communication, because our daily lives are surrounded by the evolution and influence of words. Forget the grammar police. There is so much more to this conversation.

<img decoding="async" class="alignnone wp-image-19934 size-full" data-tf-not-load src="https://kris-spisak.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/Copy-of-Podcast-Cover-Image-1.png" alt="" width="1024" height="512" srcset="https://kris-spisak.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/Copy-of-Podcast-Cover-Image-1.png 1024w, https://kris-spisak.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/Copy-of-Podcast-Cover-Image-1-300x150.png 300w, https://kris-spisak.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/Copy-of-Podcast-Cover-Image-1-768x384.png 768w, https://kris-spisak.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/Copy-of-Podcast-Cover-Image-1-200x100.png 200w, https://kris-spisak.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/Copy-of-Podcast-Cover-Image-1-50x25.png 50w, https://kris-spisak.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/Copy-of-Podcast-Cover-Image-1-75x38.png 75w, https://kris-spisak.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/Copy-of-Podcast-Cover-Image-1-600x300.png 600w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" />

Apple Podcasts  |  Android  |  Spotify  |  Amazon Music  |  YouTube

Welcome to the summer series of the Words You Should Know podcast, where no, I’m not going to go into the etymology of summer, dog days, or solstice (been there, done that). But, instead, we’ll revisit “Story Stop Tour” events of earlier this year and popular episodes you may have missed from years past. This will be a seven episode break, with new episodes resuming on Wednesday, September 22nd, 2021.

So welcome to the encore of Episode 10: “Prouder” or “More Proud” than a Peacock? (Plus a Spelling Meme Debunked), originally released November 13, 2018. Enjoy the show!

See Episode #10 of the Words You Should Know podcast.

Sign up for my English language tips and trivia email newsletter for more articles and podcasts like this.

If you like what you’ve been hearing, don’t forget to subscribe to this podcast (via Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Android, Google Podcasts, Stitcher, or RSS) so you’ll never miss out on another word you should know. Many thanks to those of you who have taken the time to rate my show wherever you listen.

Words. Language. Communications. We’ve got this.

The post “Prouder” or “More Proud” than a Peacock? (Plus a Spelling Meme Debunked) – encore episode appeared first on Kris Spisak.

<img width="1024" height="512" data-tf-not-load src="https://kris-spisak.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Podcast-Cover-Image-5.png" class="attachment-full size-full wp-post-image" alt="" decoding="async" srcset="https://kris-spisak.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Podcast-Cover-Image-5.png 1024w, https://kris-spisak.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Podcast-Cover-Image-5-300x150.png 300w, https://kris-spisak.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Podcast-Cover-Image-5-768x384.png 768w, https://kris-spisak.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Podcast-Cover-Image-5-200x100.png 200w, https://kris-spisak.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Podcast-Cover-Image-5-50x25.png 50w, https://kris-spisak.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Podcast-Cover-Image-5-75x38.png 75w, https://kris-spisak.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Podcast-Cover-Image-5-600x300.png 600w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" />

A few stolen minutes out of your day to talk words and communication, because our daily lives are surrounded by the evolution and influence of words. Forget the grammar police. There is so much more to this conversation.

<img decoding="async" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-19917" data-tf-not-load src="https://kris-spisak.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Podcast-Cover-Image-5.png" alt="" width="1024" height="512" srcset="https://kris-spisak.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Podcast-Cover-Image-5.png 1024w, https://kris-spisak.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Podcast-Cover-Image-5-300x150.png 300w, https://kris-spisak.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Podcast-Cover-Image-5-768x384.png 768w, https://kris-spisak.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Podcast-Cover-Image-5-200x100.png 200w, https://kris-spisak.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Podcast-Cover-Image-5-50x25.png 50w, https://kris-spisak.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Podcast-Cover-Image-5-75x38.png 75w, https://kris-spisak.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Podcast-Cover-Image-5-600x300.png 600w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" />

Apple Podcasts  |  Android  |  Spotify  |  Amazon Music  |  YouTube

Welcome to the summer series of the Words You Should Know podcast, where no, I’m not going to go into the etymology of summer, dog days, or solstice (been there, done that). But, instead, we’ll revisit “Story Stop Tour” events of earlier this year and popular episodes you may have missed from years past. This will be a seven episode break, with new episodes resuming on Wednesday, September 22nd, 2021.

What are my Story Stops? Imagine a program where you take a pause in your life to consider the stories that have shaped you into who you are. That’s what my third book, The Family Story Workbook, is all about, and at my Story Stop Tour events, I’ve been honored to hear the stories of talented authors, poets, and wordsmiths as they dive into their memories and invite you to dive into yours. You can learn more about these events at StoryStopTour.com.

This is the encore of Story Stop: Bookish Road Trip, originally held on February 11, 2021, and now replayed for you here on the “Words You Should Know” podcast. Enjoy the show!

The live video from the event can be found from the original broadcast on Facebook Live and Twitter.

Event Summary:

“Story Stop: Writing, Editing and Personal Perspectives” will bring you behind the scenes into the lives of two talented women who act as nonfiction editors, ghostwriters, poets, and business-focused wordsmiths: Karin Wiberg and Rita Lewis.

Everyone has stories to tell, and capturing them can be not only a special effort but a profound personal or family project. Maybe after listening in, you’ll feel called to capture the stories of your own.

Sign up for my English language tips and trivia email newsletter for more articles and podcasts like this.

If you like what you’ve been hearing, don’t forget to subscribe to this podcast (via Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Android, Google Podcasts, Stitcher, or RSS) so you’ll never miss out on another word you should know. Many thanks to those of you who have taken the time to rate my show wherever you listen.

Words. Language. Communications. We’ve got this.

The post Story Stop: Writing, Editing & Personal Perspectives (encore episode) appeared first on Kris Spisak.

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A few stolen minutes out of your day to talk words and communication, because our daily lives are surrounded by the evolution and influence of words. Forget the grammar police. There is so much more to this conversation.

<img decoding="async" class="alignnone wp-image-19901 size-full" data-tf-not-load src="https://kris-spisak.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Copy-of-Podcast-Cover-Image.png" alt="" width="1024" height="512" srcset="https://kris-spisak.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Copy-of-Podcast-Cover-Image.png 1024w, https://kris-spisak.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Copy-of-Podcast-Cover-Image-300x150.png 300w, https://kris-spisak.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Copy-of-Podcast-Cover-Image-768x384.png 768w, https://kris-spisak.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Copy-of-Podcast-Cover-Image-200x100.png 200w, https://kris-spisak.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Copy-of-Podcast-Cover-Image-50x25.png 50w, https://kris-spisak.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Copy-of-Podcast-Cover-Image-75x38.png 75w, https://kris-spisak.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Copy-of-Podcast-Cover-Image-600x300.png 600w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" />

Apple Podcasts  |  Android  |  Spotify  |  Amazon Music  |  YouTube

Welcome to the summer series of the Words You Should Know podcast, where no, I’m not going to go into the etymology of summer, dog days, or solstice (been there, done that). But, instead, we’ll revisit “Story Stop Tour” events of earlier this year and popular episodes you may have missed from years past. This will be a seven episode break, with new episodes resuming on Wednesday, September 22nd, 2021.

So welcome to the encore of Episode 4: “Should You Trust Judas Priest on Language Use? (“Another Think Coming” or “Another Thing Coming”?) originally released October 3, 2018. Enjoy the show!

See Episode #4 of the Words You Should Know podcast.

Sign up for my English language tips and trivia email newsletter for more articles and podcasts like this.

If you like what you’ve been hearing, don’t forget to subscribe to this podcast (via Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Android, Google Podcasts, Stitcher, or RSS) so you’ll never miss out on another word you should know. Many thanks to those of you who have taken the time to rate my show wherever you listen.

Words. Language. Communications. We’ve got this.

The post Should You Trust Judas Priest on Language Use? (encore episode) appeared first on Kris Spisak.

<img width="1024" height="512" data-tf-not-load src="https://kris-spisak.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/Podcast-Cover-Image-3.png" class="attachment-full size-full wp-post-image" alt="" decoding="async" srcset="https://kris-spisak.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/Podcast-Cover-Image-3.png 1024w, https://kris-spisak.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/Podcast-Cover-Image-3-300x150.png 300w, https://kris-spisak.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/Podcast-Cover-Image-3-768x384.png 768w, https://kris-spisak.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/Podcast-Cover-Image-3-200x100.png 200w, https://kris-spisak.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/Podcast-Cover-Image-3-50x25.png 50w, https://kris-spisak.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/Podcast-Cover-Image-3-75x38.png 75w, https://kris-spisak.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/Podcast-Cover-Image-3-600x300.png 600w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" />

A few stolen minutes out of your day to talk words and communication, because our daily lives are surrounded by the evolution and influence of words. Forget the grammar police. There is so much more to this conversation.

<img decoding="async" class="alignnone wp-image-19873 size-full" data-tf-not-load src="https://kris-spisak.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/Podcast-Cover-Image-3.png" alt="" width="1024" height="512" srcset="https://kris-spisak.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/Podcast-Cover-Image-3.png 1024w, https://kris-spisak.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/Podcast-Cover-Image-3-300x150.png 300w, https://kris-spisak.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/Podcast-Cover-Image-3-768x384.png 768w, https://kris-spisak.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/Podcast-Cover-Image-3-200x100.png 200w, https://kris-spisak.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/Podcast-Cover-Image-3-50x25.png 50w, https://kris-spisak.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/Podcast-Cover-Image-3-75x38.png 75w, https://kris-spisak.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/Podcast-Cover-Image-3-600x300.png 600w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" />

Apple Podcasts  |  Android  |  Spotify  |  Amazon Music  |  YouTube

Welcome to the summer series of the Words You Should Know podcast, where no, I’m not going to go into the etymology of summer, dog days, or solstice (been there, done that). But, instead, we’ll revisit “Story Stop Tour” events of earlier this year and popular episodes you may have missed from years past. This will be a seven episode break, with new episodes resuming on Wednesday, September 22nd, 2021.

What are my Story Stops? Imagine a program where you take a pause in your life to consider the stories that have shaped you into who you are. That’s what my third book, The Family Story Workbook, is all about, and at my Story Stop Tour events, I’ve been honored to hear the stories of talented authors, poets, and wordsmiths as they dive into their memories and invite you to dive into yours. You can learn more about these events at StoryStopTour.com.

This is the encore of Story Stop: Bookish Road Trip, originally held on February 11, 2021, and now replayed for you here on the “Words You Should Know” podcast. Enjoy the show!

Event Summary:

Sign up for my English language tips and trivia email newsletter for more articles and podcasts like this.

If you like what you’ve been hearing, don’t forget to subscribe to this podcast (via Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Android, Google Podcasts, Stitcher, or RSS) so you’ll never miss out on another word you should know. Many thanks to those of you who have taken the time to rate my show wherever you listen.

Words. Language. Communications. We’ve got this.

The post Story Stop: Bookish Road Trip (encore episode) appeared first on Kris Spisak.

<img width="1024" height="512" data-tf-not-load src="https://kris-spisak.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/Podcast-Cover-Image-1.png" class="attachment-full size-full wp-post-image" alt="" decoding="async" srcset="https://kris-spisak.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/Podcast-Cover-Image-1.png 1024w, https://kris-spisak.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/Podcast-Cover-Image-1-300x150.png 300w, https://kris-spisak.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/Podcast-Cover-Image-1-768x384.png 768w, https://kris-spisak.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/Podcast-Cover-Image-1-200x100.png 200w, https://kris-spisak.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/Podcast-Cover-Image-1-50x25.png 50w, https://kris-spisak.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/Podcast-Cover-Image-1-75x38.png 75w, https://kris-spisak.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/Podcast-Cover-Image-1-600x300.png 600w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" />

A few stolen minutes out of your day to talk words and communication, because our daily lives are surrounded by the evolution and influence of words. Forget the grammar police. There is so much more to this conversation.

<img decoding="async" class="size-full wp-image-19856 aligncenter" data-tf-not-load src="https://kris-spisak.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/Podcast-Cover-Image-1.png" alt="" width="1024" height="512" srcset="https://kris-spisak.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/Podcast-Cover-Image-1.png 1024w, https://kris-spisak.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/Podcast-Cover-Image-1-300x150.png 300w, https://kris-spisak.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/Podcast-Cover-Image-1-768x384.png 768w, https://kris-spisak.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/Podcast-Cover-Image-1-200x100.png 200w, https://kris-spisak.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/Podcast-Cover-Image-1-50x25.png 50w, https://kris-spisak.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/Podcast-Cover-Image-1-75x38.png 75w, https://kris-spisak.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/Podcast-Cover-Image-1-600x300.png 600w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" />

Welcome to the summer series of the Words You Should Know podcast, where no, I’m not going to go into the etymology of summer, dog days, or solstice (been there, done that). But, instead, we’ll revisit “Story Stop Tour” events of earlier this year and popular episodes you may have missed from years past. This will be a seven episode break, with new episodes resuming on Wednesday, September 22nd, 2021.

So welcome to the encore of Episode 3: “Franklin, Roosevelt & Getting a Grip on the English Language,” originally released September 29, 2018. Enjoy the show!

See Episode #3 of the Words You Should Know podcast.

Sign up for my English language tips and trivia email newsletter for more articles and podcasts like this.

If you like what you’ve been hearing, don’t forget to subscribe to this podcast (via Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Android, Google Podcasts, Stitcher, or RSS) so you’ll never miss out on another word you should know. Many thanks to those of you who have taken the time to rate my show wherever you listen.

Words. Language. Communications. We’ve got this.

The post “Franklin, Roosevelt & Getting a Grip on the English Language” (encore episode) appeared first on Kris Spisak.

<img width="1024" height="512" data-tf-not-load src="https://kris-spisak.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/Podcast-Cover-Image.png" class="attachment-full size-full wp-post-image" alt="" decoding="async" srcset="https://kris-spisak.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/Podcast-Cover-Image.png 1024w, https://kris-spisak.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/Podcast-Cover-Image-300x150.png 300w, https://kris-spisak.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/Podcast-Cover-Image-768x384.png 768w, https://kris-spisak.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/Podcast-Cover-Image-200x100.png 200w, https://kris-spisak.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/Podcast-Cover-Image-50x25.png 50w, https://kris-spisak.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/Podcast-Cover-Image-75x38.png 75w, https://kris-spisak.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/Podcast-Cover-Image-600x300.png 600w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" />

A few stolen minutes out of your day to talk words and communication, because our daily lives are surrounded by the evolution and influence of words. Forget the grammar police. There is so much more to this conversation.

<img decoding="async" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-19818" data-tf-not-load src="https://kris-spisak.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/Podcast-Cover-Image.png" alt="" width="1024" height="512" srcset="https://kris-spisak.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/Podcast-Cover-Image.png 1024w, https://kris-spisak.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/Podcast-Cover-Image-300x150.png 300w, https://kris-spisak.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/Podcast-Cover-Image-768x384.png 768w, https://kris-spisak.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/Podcast-Cover-Image-200x100.png 200w, https://kris-spisak.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/Podcast-Cover-Image-50x25.png 50w, https://kris-spisak.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/Podcast-Cover-Image-75x38.png 75w, https://kris-spisak.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/Podcast-Cover-Image-600x300.png 600w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" />

Welcome to episode number 43, where we’ll talk about the specific dog connected with the “dog days of summer” or the specific mythological dog, or… well, we’ll get there. Is a summer vacation on your mind? Well, no matter your answer, today’s episode can take you there.

But first, here’s…

Today, we’re not going into brain science, animal science, or technology, but we’re revisiting the niche of discovered words. Specifically, have you heard that:

But let’s get to the heart of today’s episode, or maybe I should say the heat of it.

It may not quite be summer while I’m recording this, but it’s definitely starting to feel very close. At least here in Virginia. And this brings to mind a common phrase that you might not know the true origin of.

What comes to mind? A tired, hot doggo, resting its snoot on its paws? Or tongue panting, too exhausted to do anything because of the heat?

Right. So many of our minds go there, but if this is where you think the “dog days” came from, you might have another think coming.

The “dog days” of summer are ancient, long before the invention of ice cubes for your lemonade or sprinklers you could play in.

This expression actually refers to Canis Major, a canine constellation. Sirius, the star also nicknamed “the dog star” and famous for being the brightest star in the sky, is Canis Major’s nose, and this star and its connected constellation rise in the sky with very specific position starting in late July in the northern hemisphere, just as the heat of the summer intensifies to its peak. Canis Major was known as Orion the hunter’s dog, and in the sky, not only is he with Orion, but he also seems to be chasing another constellation, Lupis, a hare.

As far back as the writing of the epic poem, The Iliad, Sirius is referred to as Orion’s dog, and this star is an omen of heat of many kinds, including anger and violence.

There’s an ancient scientific theory that because the dog star, Sirius, appears rise in the sky just before the sun at this time of year, its proximity to the sun allowed its own brightness to intensify the heat of the day. Of course, as we now know, that’s just not how seasonal heat works. But the name stuck nonetheless.

“The Dog Days” after that darn dog star that heats things up.

The dog days were translated from Latin into English about five hundred years ago, and it’s been an expression that’s had some saying power, even if we don’t always make the correct connections with it.

So that’s what “the dog days of summer” refers to, though all the panting dogs out there certainly feel it too. I hear you.

And since we’re talking summertime and stars, did you know that the word “Solstice” comes from “sol” (for sun) and “stit-,” for standing still. Because it’s at the summer and winter solstice that sunrise and sunsets almost seem to freeze in time for a few days, getting barely earlier or later, depending on the season, reaching the peak, then going in the opposite direction. The sun standing still. Well almost. Scientific precision isn’t always captured in language, but the evolution of scientific thought sometimes is. And how cool is that?

In Latin, it was solstitium. Middle English speakers made their tweaks, and thus, we’ve had “solstice” since the 1200s.

All this talk about Latin, is it revving you up for an awesome summer? Okay, maybe not. But whether you have man’s best friend or not, here’s hoping the dog days treat you well.

Now if you need a break from all this summertime talk, let’s talk ice for today’s language challenge.

Think about the chilly Arctic, icebergs, snow, glaciers, and specifically ice floes. An iceberg, as you know is much like a mountain, but an ice floe is a flat piece of ice floating along in the chilly water. But how do you spell “ice floe”? Think you’ve got it?

The answers, as always, can be found on my website, at GetAGripOnYourGrammar.com.

This episode’s personal update is more of an update about the show than my own work. This will be our last episode for a couple of months as we’ll be taking a much needed summer break, but the Words You Should Know podcast won’t just be going away. I’ve planned a summer series of popular older episodes that will be revived as encores as well as showcases of past “Story Stop Tour” events of recent months, so I’ll have plenty to keep sharing until new episodes resume in September.

You take care, folks, and as I’m shaping our next new episodes, definitely let me know what you like, what you’re interested in, what you’re not interested in, so I can make sure to continue this podcast in a way you’ll enjoy.

Take care, folks. May your words treat you well!

Sign up for my English language tips and trivia email newsletter for more articles and podcasts like this.

If you like what you’ve been hearing, don’t forget to subscribe to this podcast (via Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Android, Google Podcasts, Stitcher, or RSS) so you’ll never miss out on another word you should know. Many thanks to those of you who have taken the time to rate my show wherever you listen.

Words. Language. Communications. We’ve got this.

The post #43 – Why do we call them the “Dog Days of Summer”? & the Latest in Words You Should Know appeared first on Kris Spisak.