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That's What They Say

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Anne Curzan, Rebecca Kruth

That's What They Say is a weekly segment on Michigan Public that explores our changing language. Each week University of Michigan English Professor Anne Curzan will discuss why we say what we say with Michigan Public Weekend Edition host Rebecca Kruth.

#20

TWTS: Language pet peeves don't always stand the test of time

Looking at late 19th century language peeves can often point to a change in progress, but not always. ... Read more

17 Nov 2024

05 MINS

05:09

17 Nov 2024

#19

TWTS: "These ones" made the lightning round

Of all the topics we could cover this week on That's What They Say, we chose these ones over those ones. ... Read more

11 Nov 2024

05 MINS

05:17

11 Nov 2024

#18

TWTS: We've seen a change with "sea change"

A sea change can now be caused by many things other than the sea, and some of its dramatic effects have been lost in the process. ... Read more

04 Nov 2024

05 MINS

05:24

04 Nov 2024

#17

TWTS: The touchy third rail

We're going to try not to touch the third rail, but we are going to talk about it. ... Read more

28 Oct 2024

05 MINS

05:26

28 Oct 2024

#16

TWTS: In America, it's always hot dog season

Major League Baseball playoffs and football tailgate season both mean the smell of hot dogs is in the air. ... Read more

14 Oct 2024

05 MINS

05:19

14 Oct 2024

#15

TWTS: Petards are for hoisting, not stabbing

We don't encounter petards very often anymore. That’s unless we’re being, metaphorically speaking, “hoisted with our own petard.” ... Read more

04 Oct 2024

05 MINS

05:16

04 Oct 2024

#14

TWTS: Should we stop utilizing "utilize" and just use "use"?

There are plenty of people out there who see "utilize" as a pretentious substitute for "use." However, some people are completely comfortable utilizing the verb "utilize." ... Read more

23 Sep 2024

04 MINS

04:38

23 Sep 2024

#13

TWTS: Yeah, we need to talk about "yay"

There’s the “yea” in voting “yea” or “nay," and then there’s the celebratory “Yay!" Oh yeah, there's also "yeah." ... Read more

16 Sep 2024

04 MINS

04:59

16 Sep 2024

#12

TWTS: Whoa, is that how you spell "whoa"?

Whoa, whoa, whoa. There are a lot of ways to spell "whoa." ... Read more

09 Sep 2024

05 MINS

05:08

09 Sep 2024

#11

TWTS: Your caring about gerunds is noble, but you caring is nice too

You could say, "I don't like him singing," or you could say, "I don't like his singing." Believe it or not, some folks have very strong feelings about which of those is correct. ... Read more

01 Sep 2024

04 MINS

04:37

01 Sep 2024

#10

TWTS: The case of "pleaded" v. "pled"

It's all so grammatically straight forward in the present tense if you plead innocent. Later on though, should you tell people you "pleaded" innocent or "pled" innocent? ... Read more

25 Aug 2024

04 MINS

04:04

25 Aug 2024

#9

TWTS: Goods in the can may not always be "canned"

The sign at the grocery store said “can goods,” not “canned goods.” ... Read more

18 Aug 2024

05 MINS

05:20

18 Aug 2024

#8

TWTS: Keeping track of “track” and “tract"

We keep track of things, we lose track of things, we run track, and listen to tracks. Sometimes though, we confuse “track” with “tract.” ... Read more

11 Aug 2024

05 MINS

05:00

11 Aug 2024

#7

TWTS: The “all” in “alls” is just another tough one to call

Alls our listener wanted to know is what's going on with the “alls” in “alls I know.” ... Read more

04 Aug 2024

05 MINS

05:06

04 Aug 2024

#6

TWTS: Are you really a Realtor?

Technically, not everyone you buy real estate from is a realtor. ... Read more

28 Jul 2024

05 MINS

05:14

28 Jul 2024

#5

TWTS: The day sped by when time speeded up

The summer sped by and the car sped off, but perhaps we speeded up the process. ... Read more

21 Jul 2024

05 MINS

05:19

21 Jul 2024

#4

TWTS: Bare, bald, and boldfaced lies

A bare-faced lie may also be bald. Sometimes, it may even be bold. ... Read more

16 Jul 2024

04 MINS

04:42

16 Jul 2024

#3

TWTS: When "thank you" is your only option

It doesn't seem like coming up with a response to "thank you" should be that complicated. When you think about it though, there are a lot of options. ... Read more

07 Jul 2024

04 MINS

04:06

07 Jul 2024

#2

TWTS: When it comes to "lie" and "lay," even English professors get confused

Even for speakers who feel solid about the distinction between "lie" and "lay," they may lose that distinction when "low" is added to the mix. ... Read more

16 Jun 2024

05 MINS

05:17

16 Jun 2024

#1

TWTS: We're not done talking about "alright," all right?

All right, last week, we got distracted by the versatility of "all right." This week, we look at why spelling it as one word, "alright," makes some people really mad. ... Read more

11 Jun 2024

05 MINS

05:20

11 Jun 2024

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#20

TWTS: Language pet peeves don't always stand the test of time

#19

TWTS: "These ones" made the lightning round

#18

TWTS: We've seen a change with "sea change"

#17

TWTS: The touchy third rail

#16

TWTS: In America, it's always hot dog season

#15

TWTS: Petards are for hoisting, not stabbing

#14

TWTS: Should we stop utilizing "utilize" and just use "use"?

#13

TWTS: Yeah, we need to talk about "yay"

#12

TWTS: Whoa, is that how you spell "whoa"?

#11

TWTS: Your caring about gerunds is noble, but you caring is nice too

#10

TWTS: The case of "pleaded" v. "pled"

#9

TWTS: Goods in the can may not always be "canned"

#8

TWTS: Keeping track of “track” and “tract"

#7

TWTS: The “all” in “alls” is just another tough one to call

#6

TWTS: Are you really a Realtor?

#5

TWTS: The day sped by when time speeded up

#4

TWTS: Bare, bald, and boldfaced lies

#3

TWTS: When "thank you" is your only option

#2

TWTS: When it comes to "lie" and "lay," even English professors get confused

#1

TWTS: We're not done talking about "alright," all right?