Kris Spisak

https://kris-spisak.com

Writing Tip 380: “Hurray” vs. “Hooray”

Hip, hip, hallelujah! No, that’s not right. But how do you spell the last word of this cheer of excitement?

“Hurray” vs. “Hooray”

You know that last day of school feeling? What’s the right word for that? And then, how do you spell it?

Hooray! Hurray! Huzzah! Yep, these are all versions of the same exclamation of joy, encouragement, or approval that sometimes just has to be vocalized.

The Oxford English Dictionary prefers “hooray,” noting it’s a version of “hurrah.” Merriam-Webster and Dictionary.com agree. The Cambridge Dictionary prefers “hurray,” noting “hooray” is a variant in the U.S. But what about you? What does your gut say?

“Hurray” vs. “hooray” is an oddly tricky question. More

S2: E10 – Nervous “Tics” & Nervous “Ticks” Plus Other Things That Make You Squirm (Besides Grammar)

Words You Should Know podcast by Kris Spisak

So you’re telling me you think grammar is gross. You’re allergic to the idea of sentence diagramming. Actually paying attention to the English Language sounds kind of icky. Okay, sure, that’s not my opinion, but you knew that. And if it’s yours, that’s okay. I get it.

But you know what is icky to me? Lots of the creatures that seem to be coming out this time of year, and the problem is that the words we use about them often cause as much confusion as anything else.

This is episode 10, the final episode of season 2 of the “Words You Should Know” podcast. Time flies when you’re having fun, I guess. Let’s dive in.

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Writing Tip 379: “Distinct” vs. “Distinctive”

What is distinctive about the kitten in the middle? There is a distinct color that distinguishes her from her litter-mates. You could say she’s distinctively colored. Or you could forget all this and just go cuddle a kitten…

It is my distinct pleasure to dive deep into the distinct differences between “distinct” vs. “distinctive.” How do we distinguish one from the other? What is distinctive about each? How are “distinct,” “distinctive,” and “distinguished” not so distantly related? It’s time we figured this out.

I know I’m not the only one who’s written the word “distinctive” and then paused—convinced it should actually be “distinct,” or should it be?

Here’s what you need to remember when these two words start to feel complicated:

  • “Distinct” commonly means “unique” or “different,” or it refers to a quality that would be easily observed or recognized. If you hear a distinct sound, that means you definitely heard something that stood out amid any other noises. If you see a distinct motion in the darkness, that means that you definitely saw something. And perhaps you should run. Or perhaps it was just an adorable kitten being mischievous when no one would see it getting into trouble.
  • “Distinctive” often refers to a quality of a whole that makes it stand out. For example, a writer could have a distinctive voice. Your favorite craft beer could have a distinctive flavor. A cat could have a distinctive meow that is discernible from the others. Or maybe it’s less of a meow and more of a yowl—in which case, good luck with that.

These aren’t the only definitions of these two words, but these are the definitions where the meanings sometimes seem most muddled.

Both “distinct” and “distinctive” have been around for a long time, the 14th and 15th centuries respectively. Now, that’s a lot of time for confusion between the two, but it is what it is. They are close etymological neighbors but not exact synonyms. I repeat: not exact synonyms.

“Distinguish” also arrived into English in the 15th century, with the “distinguished” form not appearing until 1714.

Whether you call me distinguished in my quest for clarity in English communications or not is up for you to decide, but I know this is another distinct word usage question that has people curious. Is my answer distinctive? Maybe. But either way, it’s good to finally have this settled.

Now, I apologize if you’re allergic to all of these cats.

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S2: E9 – Whippersnappers & the Birth Order of Grammar Rebels

Words You Should Know podcast by Kris Spisak

I don’t know if birth order has anything to do with grammar persnicketiness. Do eldest children have a tendency of dotting their i’s and crossing their t’s? Are youngest children inclined toward utter grammar rebellion?

Was that first known person to drop an “OMG” in 1917—yep, I said that date correctly, 1917—was he a youngest child? I bet he was.

Was the member of One Direction who once jumped off the stage to correct the grammar on a fan’s sign an oldest child? I have no idea, but that’s my guess.

Here’s what I do know:

  • Lindley Murray, often called the “Father of Grammar” was an eldest child.
  • Noah Webster, American English renegade, was the 4th child out of 5.
  • Ben Franklin, English language revolutionary, was the 15th child out of 17. (Yikes, power to that mama…)

This is the Words You Should Know podcast, Season 2: Episode 9, and it’s time to go deeper.

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Writing Tip 378: “Quiver” vs. “Quaver”

"Quiver" vs. "Quaver"

And then there’s the Quiver Tree, native to Africa, also known as kokerboom in Afrikaans. Does it ever quiver when flocks of birds leave its branches? Is there any legend about its quavering voice? I don’t think so, but the hollow stems of this massive variety of the aloe family have a long history of being used for arrow quivers. Cool, huh? Plus, these quiver tree quivers probably made many people quiver over the years. (How’s that for a correct but slightly complicated sentence?)

Your hand might quiver. Your voice might quaver. Your arrows might sit at the ready, but what’s their location strapped to your back called again?

That’s right. The word “quiver” can be tricky because it means different things—many of which are ready to be a part of an action-packed story—but it doesn’t mean everything you might think it does.

One of the most common American typos in this area is to talk about someone’s “quivering voice.” Voices don’t quiver. They tremble sure, but “quiver” isn’t the correct word in this situation.

Remember:

  • “Quiver,” as a verb, means to tremble or shake, and it’s often related to fear or trepidation.
  • “Quiver,” as a noun, is a reference to this tremble, or it can be a case for carrying arrows or sometimes even the collection of arrows themselves.
  • “Quaver,” as a verb, means to trill or have a tremble or vibration in one’s voice. It’s not so far off from a warble.

“Quiver” vs. “quaver” – did you already know this difference?

This is another one of those “why, English language, why?” spelling differences, isn’t it? It starts getting a bit wild when you think about adjective and adverb forms of this words—”quivery” and “quiveringly” versus “quavery” and “quaveringly”—but they are all indeed distinct words.

“Quiver” is related to the Old English word cwiferlice (sound it out and you’ll see the connection), and this word meant “zealously.” But “quiver” has been used with its present definition, at least as a noun, since the 1300s. The verb form came to be in the 1400s. “Quaver” came to be as a verb also in the 1400s, from the Middle English word “quaven,” meaning to tremble. Its verb form came to be in the 1500s.

So is there a link between the two? It’s hard to argue definitively to the contrary, but they are two different words that have been around for a long time.

You might stumble over your language sometimes—spoken or written—but don’t let it produce a quaver in your voice or a quiver in your typing fingers.

Got it?

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S2: E8 – Fighting Fire with Grammatical Fire

Words You Should Know podcast by Kris Spisak

Today, let’s fight fire with grammatical fire. Or, let’s at least get your spelling right when you’re talking about fire. Think fast: if you have a “flaring” temper, how is that spelled? Is it the same as having a “flair” for fashion? And what is the past tense of the verb, “to light”? Lit? Lighted? What about the past tense of “burn”? Burned? Burnt?

So many burning questions. So little time.

This is the Words You Should Know Podcast, season 2, episode 8. Let’s dive in.

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Writing Tip 377: “Pickup” vs “Pick Up” vs “Pick-up”

"Pickup" vs "Pick Up" vs "Pick-up" hitchhikerIf you’re hoping it’ll be a pick-me-up to be picked up by a pickup, you surely must have a handle on your language. But just in case you’re slightly baffled and would rather go find a pick-up game you’d rather be a part of, let’s take a moment to pick through these possibilities. They’re always good to know if you’re in a pickle.

Should “pickup” be one word or two?

Here’s what you need to remember: More

S2: E7 – Splatter or Spatter from your Spigot or Spicket?

Words You Should Know podcast by Kris Spisak

Getting my fingers covered in dirt is as satisfying as having them covered in ink. Weeding is a bit like editing, after all, cleaning up what’s there to turn it into its best.

And then there’s the wonderful language of the garden. “Zucchini” comes from the Italian word for “sweetest.” The head of an asparagus is called the “squib.” When lettuce flowers, these flowers are called “bolts.” Yes, my book on the language of food will debut in the fall of 2019, but I have a feeling that a book on the language of nature and gardening is not too far after it.

But before we get into the weeds of my publishing life, let’s talk about watering your garden—or more specifically, of course, the language involved.

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Writing Tip 376: “Ground” vs. “Grinded”

“Ground” vs. “Grinded”

The mill “ground” the grain or the mill “grinded” the grain? What’s your answer? How confident are you?

What is the past tense of “grind”?

I’m asking this as someone who might grind coffee beans, not as someone dancing scandalously at a club. Yes, this changes the answer. Does that give you enough of a hint to know the difference?

If you’re looking to history, there has always been the same answer to this question—well, maybe not about the scandalous dancing part. The incorrect answer has indeed had multiple surges in popularity over the past three hundred years, but unlike other instances when the non-standard form sometimes becomes more popular (here’s looking at you, “spilled” vs. “spilt,” “went” vs. “gaed,” “hiccup” vs. hiccough,” and the still fighting it out pair of “lighted” vs. “lit”),  the correct answer always has remained “ground.” I’m not willing to commit to the idea that it always will be correct, but for now at least, it’s the hands-down winner.

Yes, that’s right. “Ground” is the correct past tense form of “grind.”

And to speak to my earlier note, the only exception to this is when referencing the verb “to grind,” meaning the sexual, up-close-and-personal dance moves. If it’s the “grinding” you wouldn’t necessarily chat to your parents about, this would be a story of how someone “grinded.”

If you want an easier hint, though, remember this:

The answer you found was “ground.”

Did you see my reminder there? Just like “find,” which has a past tense of “found,” “grind” has a past tense of “ground.”

Did you get this one right?

Bonus tip: It’s true for your coffee beans too. Whether you’re prepping them for your morning brew or saving them for your compost, remember that they are “coffee grounds,” not “coffee grinds.”

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S2: E6 – All the Honeys Makin’ Money — or is it “Moneys”? “Monies”?

Words You Should Know podcast by Kris Spisak

“Death, taxes and childbirth! There’s never any convenient time for any of them.” So says Margaret Mitchell, author of Gone with the Wind, and you know, it’s a true statement.

It’s tax season, so let’s dive in. Into the numbers? Nope, not here. Let’s dive into the language of money.

When should “money” be written in the plural form “monies”? When should we talk about “the amount of” something versus “the number of” something? Yep, there’s a difference. And lastly, what is the language equation that baffles math minds everywhere where the plural plus the plural of this money term equals the singular form? (You’ve probably heard me talk about this last one before, but it’s one of my favorite math equations. I can’t help but bring it to my podcast.)

This is season 2, episode 6 of the Words You Should Know podcast

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