Mignon Fogarty
@grammargirl.bsky.social
Grammar Girl. Podcaster. Author of seven books about language. Quick and Dirty Tips founder. Bad skier. she/her http://linktr.ee/grammargirl
#AmWriting The 12/16 GG podcast
#AmReading The Future (Alderman)
#AmWriting The 12/16 GG podcast
#AmReading The Future (Alderman)
Reposted by Mignon Fogarty
Nothing worse than signing an email "warm regards" and getting a reply with "warmest regards". Oh, now it's ON.
"kindest regards" alright alright calm down
December 9, 2025 at 2:55 PM
Nothing worse than signing an email "warm regards" and getting a reply with "warmest regards". Oh, now it's ON.
Reposted by Mignon Fogarty
Trying out a new PCP's office, and their "preferred language" dropdown on the intake form is time-traveler inclusive.
December 8, 2025 at 8:06 PM
Trying out a new PCP's office, and their "preferred language" dropdown on the intake form is time-traveler inclusive.
Reposted by Mignon Fogarty
"LLeMmings": compulsive users of large language models
(ht @grammargirl.bsky.social)
www.theatlantic.com/technology/2...
(ht @grammargirl.bsky.social)
www.theatlantic.com/technology/2...
The People Outsourcing Their Thinking to AI
Rise of the LLeMmings
www.theatlantic.com
December 8, 2025 at 4:36 PM
"LLeMmings": compulsive users of large language models
(ht @grammargirl.bsky.social)
www.theatlantic.com/technology/2...
(ht @grammargirl.bsky.social)
www.theatlantic.com/technology/2...
This is great.
I wrote a bit for McSweeney's about Isaac Chotiner interviewing Santa Claus. Just a little something for the holiday season. Enjoy!
The New Yorker’s Isaac Chotiner Interviews Santa Claus
For several centuries, Santa Claus has been one of the most prolific mythical gift-givers in the world. Formerly known as Saint Nicholas of Myra, a...
www.mcsweeneys.net
December 7, 2025 at 4:47 PM
This is great.
Have you noticed how many ads are stretching grammar lately? "Spread the happy," "Let's movie," "It feels good to Geico"?
@byagoda.bsky.social tracked down 60+ examples of ads using anthimeria — words shifting to different parts of speech.
www.quickanddirtytips.com/articles/the...
1/2
@byagoda.bsky.social tracked down 60+ examples of ads using anthimeria — words shifting to different parts of speech.
www.quickanddirtytips.com/articles/the...
1/2
December 6, 2025 at 6:57 PM
Have you noticed how many ads are stretching grammar lately? "Spread the happy," "Let's movie," "It feels good to Geico"?
@byagoda.bsky.social tracked down 60+ examples of ads using anthimeria — words shifting to different parts of speech.
www.quickanddirtytips.com/articles/the...
1/2
@byagoda.bsky.social tracked down 60+ examples of ads using anthimeria — words shifting to different parts of speech.
www.quickanddirtytips.com/articles/the...
1/2
@marthabarnette.bsky.social's book "Friends With Words" is packed with tidbits for word lovers, and in today's podcast we look at some of my favorites:
— Why South Carolinians paint porches "haint blue" (to ward off ghosts)
— What a "quidnunc" is (a nosy neighbor)
1/2
APPLE: tinyurl.com/2cwb4t92
— Why South Carolinians paint porches "haint blue" (to ward off ghosts)
— What a "quidnunc" is (a nosy neighbor)
1/2
APPLE: tinyurl.com/2cwb4t92
December 4, 2025 at 7:23 PM
@marthabarnette.bsky.social's book "Friends With Words" is packed with tidbits for word lovers, and in today's podcast we look at some of my favorites:
— Why South Carolinians paint porches "haint blue" (to ward off ghosts)
— What a "quidnunc" is (a nosy neighbor)
1/2
APPLE: tinyurl.com/2cwb4t92
— Why South Carolinians paint porches "haint blue" (to ward off ghosts)
— What a "quidnunc" is (a nosy neighbor)
1/2
APPLE: tinyurl.com/2cwb4t92
Do you know of any good online book clubs?
December 4, 2025 at 5:12 PM
Do you know of any good online book clubs?
Reposted by Mignon Fogarty
Cutting it fine again...November's Separated by a Common Newsletter is up and out!
Includes: pled or pleaded? British kids talking trash? Last words and words of the year. Plus links, links, links
lynneguist.substack.com/p/pled-head
Includes: pled or pleaded? British kids talking trash? Last words and words of the year. Plus links, links, links
lynneguist.substack.com/p/pled-head
Pled head
This time: pled or pleaded? British kids talking trash? Last words and words of the year. Plus more links than you'll click, but isn't it nice that they're there?
lynneguist.substack.com
November 30, 2025 at 11:52 AM
Cutting it fine again...November's Separated by a Common Newsletter is up and out!
Includes: pled or pleaded? British kids talking trash? Last words and words of the year. Plus links, links, links
lynneguist.substack.com/p/pled-head
Includes: pled or pleaded? British kids talking trash? Last words and words of the year. Plus links, links, links
lynneguist.substack.com/p/pled-head
Reposted by Mignon Fogarty
I think some of the greatest delights in the business of etymology are words—especially everyday words—whose origins we just don’t know.
So, this year, I’ll do an etymological Advent calendar on this theme: words with origins that are obscure, uncertain, or otherwise unknown.
So, this year, I’ll do an etymological Advent calendar on this theme: words with origins that are obscure, uncertain, or otherwise unknown.
December 1, 2025 at 1:24 AM
I think some of the greatest delights in the business of etymology are words—especially everyday words—whose origins we just don’t know.
So, this year, I’ll do an etymological Advent calendar on this theme: words with origins that are obscure, uncertain, or otherwise unknown.
So, this year, I’ll do an etymological Advent calendar on this theme: words with origins that are obscure, uncertain, or otherwise unknown.
Reposted by Mignon Fogarty
“Have Yourself A Merriam Little Christmas”
Merriam, a career-oriented lexicographer from the city, returns to her small town for the holidays and meets Webster, a ruggedly handsome librarian, who shows her the true DEFINITION of Christmas.
Merriam, a career-oriented lexicographer from the city, returns to her small town for the holidays and meets Webster, a ruggedly handsome librarian, who shows her the true DEFINITION of Christmas.
December 2, 2025 at 7:18 PM
“Have Yourself A Merriam Little Christmas”
Merriam, a career-oriented lexicographer from the city, returns to her small town for the holidays and meets Webster, a ruggedly handsome librarian, who shows her the true DEFINITION of Christmas.
Merriam, a career-oriented lexicographer from the city, returns to her small town for the holidays and meets Webster, a ruggedly handsome librarian, who shows her the true DEFINITION of Christmas.
Wow, I will pass 50K YouTube subscribers today! 😱 🎉
If you want to be among them, you can find me here: https:youtube.com/grammargirl
I post quite a few Shorts there that I don't post anywhere else.
If you want to be among them, you can find me here: https:youtube.com/grammargirl
I post quite a few Shorts there that I don't post anywhere else.
December 2, 2025 at 5:56 PM
Wow, I will pass 50K YouTube subscribers today! 😱 🎉
If you want to be among them, you can find me here: https:youtube.com/grammargirl
I post quite a few Shorts there that I don't post anywhere else.
If you want to be among them, you can find me here: https:youtube.com/grammargirl
I post quite a few Shorts there that I don't post anywhere else.
Thursday is National Cookie Day, which got me thinking about the difference between "cookie" and "biscuit" in US and UK English!
What I'd call a cookie, my friends in the UK would often call a biscuit.
🎧 APPLE: bit.ly/48zkCaF
🎧 SPOTIFY: bit.ly/4pg2GsR
What I'd call a cookie, my friends in the UK would often call a biscuit.
🎧 APPLE: bit.ly/48zkCaF
🎧 SPOTIFY: bit.ly/4pg2GsR
Why Brits eat biscuits and Americans eat cookies.
YouTube video by Grammar Girl
youtu.be
December 2, 2025 at 5:33 PM
Thursday is National Cookie Day, which got me thinking about the difference between "cookie" and "biscuit" in US and UK English!
What I'd call a cookie, my friends in the UK would often call a biscuit.
🎧 APPLE: bit.ly/48zkCaF
🎧 SPOTIFY: bit.ly/4pg2GsR
What I'd call a cookie, my friends in the UK would often call a biscuit.
🎧 APPLE: bit.ly/48zkCaF
🎧 SPOTIFY: bit.ly/4pg2GsR
Reposted by Mignon Fogarty
CONFIRMED: Oxford University Press has named ‘rage bait’ as the Oxford Word of the Year 2025.
#OxfordWOTY
#OxfordWOTY
December 1, 2025 at 8:09 AM
CONFIRMED: Oxford University Press has named ‘rage bait’ as the Oxford Word of the Year 2025.
#OxfordWOTY
#OxfordWOTY
Reposted by Mignon Fogarty
November linkstack (linkducken?), stuffed with words of the year, wordy gifts, and more. | Ht @gretchenmcc.bsky.social @e-briannica.bsky.social @mikepope.com @grammargirl.bsky.social @stefanfatsis.bsky.social @babynames.bsky.social @kottke.org @nybooks.com fritinancy.substack.com/p/november-l...
November linkstack
My Black Friday gift to you: news about names, brands, language, and culture.
fritinancy.substack.com
November 28, 2025 at 3:28 PM
November linkstack (linkducken?), stuffed with words of the year, wordy gifts, and more. | Ht @gretchenmcc.bsky.social @e-briannica.bsky.social @mikepope.com @grammargirl.bsky.social @stefanfatsis.bsky.social @babynames.bsky.social @kottke.org @nybooks.com fritinancy.substack.com/p/november-l...
Did you know people who stammer can often sing without any difficulty?
Or that bilingual friends might use English when being funny but use their native language when discussing politics?
@robdrummond.bsky.social delights us with stories of "languaging" today!
APPLE: bit.ly/4ojU0Ac
Or that bilingual friends might use English when being funny but use their native language when discussing politics?
@robdrummond.bsky.social delights us with stories of "languaging" today!
APPLE: bit.ly/4ojU0Ac
November 27, 2025 at 4:30 PM
Did you know people who stammer can often sing without any difficulty?
Or that bilingual friends might use English when being funny but use their native language when discussing politics?
@robdrummond.bsky.social delights us with stories of "languaging" today!
APPLE: bit.ly/4ojU0Ac
Or that bilingual friends might use English when being funny but use their native language when discussing politics?
@robdrummond.bsky.social delights us with stories of "languaging" today!
APPLE: bit.ly/4ojU0Ac
My turn to drive! No more messing around on the phone for a couple of hours. :)
November 25, 2025 at 8:20 PM
My turn to drive! No more messing around on the phone for a couple of hours. :)
If you use Shortcuts, what do you use it to automate?
And if you’re only just learning about this, what would you *like* to use it to automate?
I’m looking for ideas because this seems cool!
And if you’re only just learning about this, what would you *like* to use it to automate?
I’m looking for ideas because this seems cool!
This is wild! I just created an iPhone shortcut automation that runs when I tap my phone to an old hotel key card!
Now I just have to think of something that is worth actually automating. www.instagram.com/reel/DPMlxOa...
(Yes, I am bored in the car on a road trip.)
Now I just have to think of something that is worth actually automating. www.instagram.com/reel/DPMlxOa...
(Yes, I am bored in the car on a road trip.)
Login • Instagram
Welcome back to Instagram. Sign in to check out what your friends, family & interests have been capturing & sharing around the world.
www.instagram.com
November 25, 2025 at 7:19 PM
If you use Shortcuts, what do you use it to automate?
And if you’re only just learning about this, what would you *like* to use it to automate?
I’m looking for ideas because this seems cool!
And if you’re only just learning about this, what would you *like* to use it to automate?
I’m looking for ideas because this seems cool!
This is wild! I just created an iPhone shortcut automation that runs when I tap my phone to an old hotel key card!
Now I just have to think of something that is worth actually automating. www.instagram.com/reel/DPMlxOa...
(Yes, I am bored in the car on a road trip.)
Now I just have to think of something that is worth actually automating. www.instagram.com/reel/DPMlxOa...
(Yes, I am bored in the car on a road trip.)
Login • Instagram
Welcome back to Instagram. Sign in to check out what your friends, family & interests have been capturing & sharing around the world.
www.instagram.com
November 25, 2025 at 6:55 PM
This is wild! I just created an iPhone shortcut automation that runs when I tap my phone to an old hotel key card!
Now I just have to think of something that is worth actually automating. www.instagram.com/reel/DPMlxOa...
(Yes, I am bored in the car on a road trip.)
Now I just have to think of something that is worth actually automating. www.instagram.com/reel/DPMlxOa...
(Yes, I am bored in the car on a road trip.)
As someone who once ran a vacation rental, I say to you with as much intensity as possible:
🚨Make sure you have all your chargers when you leave! 🚨
🚨Make sure you have all your chargers when you leave! 🚨
November 25, 2025 at 6:27 PM
As someone who once ran a vacation rental, I say to you with as much intensity as possible:
🚨Make sure you have all your chargers when you leave! 🚨
🚨Make sure you have all your chargers when you leave! 🚨
After today's show, you'll be the most interesting guest at dinner with *fascinating* tidbits about the history of tableware.
For example, the fork was originally viewed as sinful, but then pasta got involved. 😈
Get the details and be the life of the Thanksgiving party!
🎧 pod.link/173429229
For example, the fork was originally viewed as sinful, but then pasta got involved. 😈
Get the details and be the life of the Thanksgiving party!
🎧 pod.link/173429229
November 25, 2025 at 3:38 PM
After today's show, you'll be the most interesting guest at dinner with *fascinating* tidbits about the history of tableware.
For example, the fork was originally viewed as sinful, but then pasta got involved. 😈
Get the details and be the life of the Thanksgiving party!
🎧 pod.link/173429229
For example, the fork was originally viewed as sinful, but then pasta got involved. 😈
Get the details and be the life of the Thanksgiving party!
🎧 pod.link/173429229
Reposted by Mignon Fogarty
Introducing my new project… Your Wrong (yourwrong.co.uk). It’s all about the language rules and judgements that appear in different forms of popular culture. Films, series, podcasts, music, books, even graffiti!
I’d love your help to find examples!
I’d love your help to find examples!
Your Wrong
yourwrong.co.uk
February 5, 2025 at 9:34 AM
Introducing my new project… Your Wrong (yourwrong.co.uk). It’s all about the language rules and judgements that appear in different forms of popular culture. Films, series, podcasts, music, books, even graffiti!
I’d love your help to find examples!
I’d love your help to find examples!
New study suggests that just walking around dressed like Batman may make the world a better place.
www.nature.com/articles/s44...
www.nature.com/articles/s44...
Unexpected events and prosocial behavior: the Batman effect - npj Mental Health Research
npj Mental Health Research - Unexpected events and prosocial behavior: the Batman effect
www.nature.com
November 23, 2025 at 8:54 PM
New study suggests that just walking around dressed like Batman may make the world a better place.
www.nature.com/articles/s44...
www.nature.com/articles/s44...
I'm making graphics for a project I'm launching soon, and nobody — absolutely nobody — is going to look at them and think I used AI, lol <sob>
Amateurish is good now, right?
Amateurish is good now, right?
November 23, 2025 at 6:21 PM
I'm making graphics for a project I'm launching soon, and nobody — absolutely nobody — is going to look at them and think I used AI, lol <sob>
Amateurish is good now, right?
Amateurish is good now, right?
I feel completely incapable of even guessing what is real anymore.
He said "Amen" straight into the drop
Lmao Pope Leo threw a rave for an archbishop's 75th birthday this is kind of incredible
Lmao Pope Leo threw a rave for an archbishop's 75th birthday this is kind of incredible
November 22, 2025 at 1:21 AM
I feel completely incapable of even guessing what is real anymore.
Reposted by Mignon Fogarty
Which reminds me of one of my favorite New Yorker corrections
November 21, 2025 at 4:44 PM
Which reminds me of one of my favorite New Yorker corrections