That's What They Say
Sunday at 9:35 AM
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.
Latest Episodes
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We don’t all agree on whether or not we should correct the phrasing "whether or not."
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We can talk about sending emails back and forth. But why does it sound odd to talk about sending them forth and back?
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Given that “tuna” is a fish, some may find it unnecessary to call out that fact out in the compound “tuna fish.” For others, “fish” may be an important distinction.
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There’s evidence of a new peeve arising. This one is focused on “training” as a countable noun.
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Lots of people don't like the redundancy in "irregardless." However, no one's fussy about the redundancy in a phrase like "a friend of mine."
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An ouster can be an act of ousting, or it can be the one who does the ousting. But we seem to have opted for one of those meanings over the other.
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At this point, we can manifest our dream future, a good grade on a exam, or even a parking spot.
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Currying favor has everything to do with flattery and horses, and nothing to do with food.
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There’s a children’s rhyme that involves liars and pants on fire and various types of wires. Now, we can say things are “pants on fire” false.