Writing Tip 362: “Tamp down” vs. “Tap down”

Rumors are flying, so what do you do? Do you tamp them down or tap them down? If a business strategy isn’t quite working, are profits tamped down or tapped down?

“Tamp down” vs. “Tap down” - coffee tamp

Baristas might be familiar with a different type of “tamp,” but yes, that version plays into this word history confusion too.

Sure, you think trouble might come from uppercuts and jabs, but here’s a case when gentle tapping (or should I say, “tamping”?) causes the biggest blows—at least in terms of correct word choice. More

Episode 6: Before You Say Anything Else About “Frankenstein”

Words You Should Know podcast by Kris Spisak

I want to talk about monsters. A scary story can be fun any time of year, but especially near Halloween. It’s good to know that a collection of ravens is an “unkindness” and a collection of crows is a “murder.” It’s good to know that there are these things called “ghost words,” which are typos in the dictionary, creating words that don’t actually exist.

Spooky, right? Maybe. Maybe not.

But today, let’s talk about “Frankenstein” vs. “Frankenstein’s monster.” I think a lot of folks are a bit confused.

More

Episode 5: Madeleine L’Engle’s Secret Wordplay (and how do you spell “in the (k)nick of time”?)

Words You Should Know podcast by Kris Spisak

Just in the (k)nick of time, let’s talk about how you spell that “(k)nick” in the “(k)nick of time.” Is it spelled N-I-C-K or is it K-N-I-C-K? What’s your first reaction? Let’s see if you’re right.

This is episode 5, and I’m having fun with this series of language tips for the curious or confused. I hope you are too. So we’ve talked about Kurt Cobain and Judas Priest. We’ve talked about spelling hijacking and spelling revolutions that didn’t quite catch steam. Today, I want to turn to an expression that is never problematic when you say it but often is when people decide to spell it.

And here’s where I want to begin the conversation:

More

Writing Tip 361: “Macaroon” vs. “Macaron”

"Macaroon" vs. "Macaron"

Delicious? Yes. But what on earth do you call this cookie?

Thanks to Cookie Monster, we know “C” is for “cookie,” but there’s so much more we need to learn.

For example, what is the difference between a “macaron” and a “macaroon”? They are both delicious cookies, but they are quite different. One is easy to make; one is not. One is chewy; one has an eggshell-like crust with a meringue inner texture. One has coconut; one has almond flour. Which one is which? After a recent gift from an awesome local bakery, I was determined to get this right.

In case you need a similar reminder: More

Episode 4: Should You Trust Judas Priest? “Another Think Coming” or “Another Thing Coming”?

Words You Should Know podcast by Kris SpisakThis is episode 4, and I’ve got another question for you: Is the expression “you’ve got another think coming” or “you’ve got another thing coming”?

Former President Barack Obama and Judas Priest are tied up in the answer, but before I get to it, I wanted to give a special shout out to my new podcast and newsletter subscribers. I look forward to continuing this word exploration journey with you. You all are awesome, and my next newsletter is coming your way next week.

And about that question…

More

Episode 3: Franklin, Roosevelt & Getting a Grip on the English Language

Words You Should Know podcast by Kris Spisak

This is episode 3 of the Words You Should Know podcast, and it’s time to take a step back.

So what am I doing here? Here’s a hint: it’s more than teaching you that you want your football team to have a “disinterested” ref rather than an “uninterested” ref. And this podcast is more than making sure you know whether you should teach your dog to “lay” or “lie” down… though I’ll get back to that second one.

More

Writing Tip 360: “Button Down” or “Batten Down” the Hatches

"Button down" or "batten down" the hatches

A button just isn’t going to help here, folks.

Whether the stormy weather comes from a hurricane, tornado, or simply a boss on a rampage, you need to at least be aware of whether you need to “button down” or “batten down” the hatches. One is the correct idiom. Neither are really something your sewing kit can handle.

​This is an idiom that comes from a nautical origin—unlike toeing the line, which many assume has a beginning related with a great heave ho of sails but actually has more to do with where your feet are lined up at the start of a foot race. But that’s another conversion. More

Episode 1: “Never Mind” vs. “Nevermind” (or how Kurt Cobain changed spelling for a generation)

Words You Should Know podcast by Kris SpisakHere it is, folks. Season one, episode number one of the Words You Should Know Podcast. First came the blog, then came the indie book, then came the traditional publishing deal (shout-out to Get a Grip on Your Grammar, Career Press, 2017). Now, it’s time for my next project.

Words. Language. Communication. Let’s do this thing.

Episode 1: “Never Mind” vs. “Nevermind” (or how Kurt Cobain changed spelling for a generation)

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Android | Google Podcasts | Stitcher | RSS | More

More

Writing Tip 359: “Ye/You” vs. “Thee/Thou” (and the endless pursuit of a plural “you”)

Where I grew up, “y’all” is as everyday as the Appalachian Mountains that surround you like an embrace, but I now have family and friends who cringe a bit at that word. A few even occasionally use “yous,” and I try my best not to shudder, though I realize my own regionalisms probably have the same effect on their ears.

“Ye/You” vs. “Thee/Thou” (and the search for a plural "you")Honestly, it all comes down to the same problem: When you’re talking to a group of people, what’s the best word to use to make it clear you’re talking to a whole bunch of people? You’re not just talking to Rebecca. You’re talking to her entire department or her entire family.

Maybe you have the Goonies in the back of your head, with Sloth saying “Hey, you guys…” And, again, while it offers an answer, “you guys,” is still not quite right. While many utilize “guys” as a gender-neutral word, it still has a male connotation that doesn’t always sit well. More

LOAD MORE