Kris Spisak
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Kris Spisak
Editing, food, hunger pangs / hunger pains, idioms, television, word choice, Writing

Writing Tip 140: “Hunger pangs” vs. “Hunger pains”

Hunger pangs vs hunger painsGrowing pains are legit—especially when they star Kirk Cameron and young Leonardo DiCaprio—but “hunger pains” are less so. Have you been saying and writing this idiom correctly?

The proper phrase is “hunger pangs.” What is a “pang” you ask? Why a brief feeling of emotional or physical pain, of course. Confusing? Absolutely.

The muddle over the “hunger pangs” vs. “hunger pains” is understandable, but when there’s a correct answer, you’ve got to go with it.

You might have back pains, growing pains, or pains in the neck, but you don’t have “hunger pains.” Unless there’s major malnourishment involved, “pang” is the word you need.

Happy writing and bon appetit!

Writing Tip 137: “Flare” vs. “Flair” Writing Tip 142: “Extract Revenge” vs. “Exact Revenge”
Writing Tip 395: “Daylight Savings Time” or “Daylight Saving Time”?
Writing Tips

Writing Tip 395: “Daylight Savings Time” or “Daylight Saving Time”?

Writing Tip 394: “Succession” vs. “Secession” (& “Secede” vs. “Succeed”)
Spelling, Writing Tips

Writing Tip 394: “Succession” vs. “Secession” (& “Secede” vs. “Succeed”)

Writing Tip 393: “Maze” vs. “Labyrinth”
Word Choice, Writing Tips

Writing Tip 393: “Maze” vs. “Labyrinth”

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  • S3: E6 – Why “Soccer” instead of “Football,” Americans? Seriously, why?
  • S3: E5 – Where Do We Get the Word “Hipster”?
  • S3: E4 – The Origin of “Silhouette” & How Do You Spell “Piecemeal” (“Peacemeal”? “Piecemail”?) Anyway?
  • S3: E3 – The origin of “compete” and “boycott” & is “lineup” / “line up” one or two words anyway?
  • S3: E2 – “Bragging rights” (or “rites”)? “Rites (or “rights”) of passage”? And what’s the story about “braggadocio”?

Recent Posts

  • Writing Tip 395: “Daylight Savings Time” or “Daylight Saving Time”?
  • Writing Tip 394: “Succession” vs. “Secession” (& “Secede” vs. “Succeed”)
  • Writing Tip 393: “Maze” vs. “Labyrinth”
  • Writing Tip 392: “Sick” vs. “Sic” (or “Sick ‘Em” vs. “Sic ‘Em”)
  • Writing Tip 391: “Manila” vs. “Vanilla” Folders
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