Anne Curzan
Explaining English usage, one mystery & word history at a time.
As a linguist and veteran English professor,
I love answering your questions about why English is the way it is, how well justified the grammar rules you learned in school are,
and whether it’s worth holding onto your
language peeves
Anne Curzan
Explaining English usage, one mystery or word history at a time.
As a linguist and veteran English professor, I love answering your questions about why English is the way it is, how well justified the grammar rules you learned in school are, and whether it’s worth holding onto your language peeves
INTRODUCING “SAYS WHO?”
A kinder, funner usage guide to the ever-changing English language
Never snooty, scoldy (yes, that’s a “real” word!), or boring, this book pulls back the curtain to reveal where the grammar rules we learned in school actually come from, unmasks the forces that drive dictionary editors to label certain words as slang or unacceptable, and investigates how to balance the values of precision and clarity with that of inclusion.
“Chock-full of fascinating trivia and persuasively argued, this will give grammar sticklers pause.”
“As a guide through the labyrinth of language, Curzan provides a road map that makes for an enjoyable, informative journey.”
ANNE IN THE NEWS
EXPLAINING ENGLISH USAGE, ONE MYSTERY
OR WORD HISTORY AT A TIME.
Just Try That With Your Bootstraps
Idioms mean what idioms mean. I get that. So at this point, “pulling oneself up by one’s bootstraps” means to improve one’s situation or succeed through one’s own efforts, without outside help. But the fact that pulling oneself up by one’s own bootstraps is, in...
Not Everyone Calls It That?
"Did you just use Reynolds Wrap as a generic?” my friend asked with surprise. Like many American English speakers, I call facial tissues Kleenex, cotton swabs Q-tips, photocopying Xeroxing, adhesive tape Scotch tape, adhesive...
A Couple of Thoughts
It seemed so obvious to me that “a couple of questions” referred to two questions that I never stopped to question it. In fact, I would even correct myself on this point of usage. If, for example, I typed in an email “I have a couple of questions,” then went on to...
