Kris Spisak's Blog, page 5
May 12, 2021
Writing Tip 424: “Conservation” vs. “Preservation”
Do you know the difference between “conservation” vs. “preservation”?We all want to do our part to help the earth, to take part in preservation efforts and conservation efforts, and… uh oh… these aren’t the same things, are they. Maybe you’ve never thought about it, but do you know the difference?
Hints for you: one is often associated with terms like “sustainability” and “responsible use,” while the other is often associated with a “leave no trace” mentality.
Maybe you can think your way through this, considering the “con-” and “pre-” prefixes. Con means “together or “with” in Latin, and pre means “before.” That’s all you need? All set? Well, just in case a bit more explanation might help, let’s take this “conservation” vs. “preservation” discussion a few more steps back—a few more steps back not disturbing the wilderness underfoot, of course.
Let’s start with the basics:
“Conserve” means to maintain and often specifically to avoid wasteful or destructive uses of.“Preserve” means, for the purposes of this conversation, to keep safe from destruction or injury. (Conversations of pickling fruit don’t apply here.)We’re seeing a theme taking shape. One implies use, but a thoughtful use. One implies keeping safe.
Thus, the noun forms follow this idea:
“Conservation” means to use nature in a safe, respectful, and/or maintainable way.“Preservation” means to keep nature safe, unharmed, and untouched so that people don’t somehow inflict harm, intentional or otherwise.Thus, a conservation effort might include planting new trees to balance those that were cut down, and a preservation effort might protect a wetland from any building or development.
Both are concerns of environmentalists and all who rightfully care about taking care of the earth and its many creatures from octopuses to mongooses (oh, yeah, you heard those weird plurals right). But there is a difference. “Conservation” vs. “preservation” may not be one of Smokey the Bear’s key teachings, but it’s a valuable difference to know all the same.
Happy hiking, happy writing, and all the best, whatever you may be up to out there.
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May 5, 2021
#41 – Singular “Octopus,” Plural “Octo-what?” & the Latest in Words You Should Know
A few stolen minutes out of your day to talk words and communication, because our daily lives are surrounded by the evolution and influence of words. Forget the grammar police. There is so much more to this conversation.
Welcome to episode number 41, where we’ll not only question the difference between conservation and preservation, but we’ll also explore the surprisingly complex correct answer when it comes to the plural of “octopus.” Think you know what it is? Maybe, but maybe not.
But first, here’s…
The Latest in Word, Language & Writing NewsWe’re talking nature and animals today, so let’s talk communications news with an animal bent today, because really, folks, how can you not be fascinated by the potential of unlocking the secrets of animal grammar and communications.
I’m not going to go too deep into any of these. All of the resources for more are in my show notes. Your headlines for this episode:
“Monkeys may share a key grammar-related skill with humans” – And this might even make sense when you think about it right? This one’s a highly contested study interestingly, involving how macaque monkeys can mentally embed symbol sequences within related sequences. And that’s exactly what “grammar” is, how those building blocks can fit together correctly. Fascinating.Animal communication headline #2: And perhaps the headline is misleading, “a first in animal kingdom,” perhaps the first that people are aware of. Now imagine dolphin clicks and squeaks. Maybe you suddenly have the old Flipper TV show theme-song stuck in your head. Thanks for that, Nick at Night of my childhood. Now imagine those combinations of sounds creating names, where one dolphin could call other specific friends, whether hunting or otherwise. For humans to call dolphins by their given names is another story, but this is the beginning of a fascinating study.Animal communication headline #3: “Groundbreaking effort launched to decode whale language” – Using artificial intelligence, scientists are examining the sounds of sperm whales in new ways.And I have a second news article on this story out of Harvard, titled “Talking with Whales.” All of this sounds like something out of our imaginations, doesn’t it?I mean, I might have downloaded an app called “MeowTalk” that claims that it can translate your cat’s meows into language, and it might have translated my cat’s meow when I set down her food bowl as actually meaning, “I see my prey” (oh, domesticated, silly chubby kitty, fierce hunter that you are), but where is this science going next? I can’t wait to find out.
But let’s turn to the meat of today’s episode, our…
English Language History & TriviaThere are we could go into. Captain Cook, who was just mentioned in our last episode on the origins of the phrase “running amok,” plays his own part in the story of the naming of the “kangaroo” in fact. Maybe.
But here’s the million dollar question, or should I say the million-times a day queried on Google question. You know what an octopus is, but what do you call many of them? What is the plural of octopus?
Wait, are you confused why I’m even dedicating my time here? Isn’t it obvious?
Honestly, it’s not. Check that confidence for just a second here. Maybe it’s valid, but maybe … it’s not.
Let’s start with three possible octopus plural terms: “octopi,” “octopuses,” and “octopodes.”
Now, I’m going to recommend one of these terms but which one?
First, lets go into some octopus etymology and history. This creature’s name only came to English in roughly 1759. It comes from the Greek oktōpous—forgive me for a terrible Greek accent. If you know how to pronounce this differently, reach out and let me know.
But that idea of “it’s all Greek to me” is something that needs to stick in your head here. Greek. A Greek word, not a Latin word.
We’re familiar with lots of words with a Latin root with an “-us” ending: “fungus,” “cactus,” “alumnus.” And how do these words pluralize: “fungi,” “cacti,” “alumni” (Bonus points for those of you that know how to spell and vary your usage of “alumna,” “alumnus,” “alumni,” and “alumnae”).
But “octopus” doesn’t come from the Latin. So here’s our big reveal of the day, “octopi” is not the plural of octopus. Boom. Should I say splash? I don’t know, but I feel like I’m blowing minds here. Did you already know this? Power to you if you did.
So, if it’s not octopus, octopi, then do we need to think of the Greek? “Pous” meaning “feet,” and “octo” of course meaning “eight,” the Greek ending would then be “octopodes.” So, “octopodes”?
I do kind of like Merriam Webster’s reminder on how to pronounce “octopodes.” They say it rhymes with “don’t say that please.” “Octopodes.” Thus, we have a pronunciation guide and a vote against the Greek plural. Well played, Merriam Webster.
And I agree. You’ll see it turn up from time to time, kind of an overcorrection response to the “octopi” that are everywhere, but here’s the simple truth:
The plural of “octopus” in English is “octopuses.”Does it sound funky? Maybe. But we are talking English. There’s so much funky about English. That’s what this podcast is all about, right?
We could even relate the “octopus” conversation in some ways to our past “thesaurus” conversation. “Thesaurus” also comes from Greek, but the funny extra step with “thesaurus” is that it also exists in Latin. Thus, both “thesauri,” from that Latin root, and “thesauruses,” from the English standard plural, (when linguists don’t want to jump to seemingly complicated Greek plural forms) are both correct. Oh, there are so many places we can take this octopus conversation.
And we’re not even getting into Kraken, you know the monstrous sea creature of Nordic saga fame—or maybe the Kraken crypto exchange, hey their techies, I see you with your dogecoin and NFTs.
But anyway, next time you talk about more than one octopus, now you can be in the know with the correct form of that plural.
The octopi/octopuses/octopodes debate does indeed have an answer.
As for today’s…
Language ChallengeWe’re focuses on animals today, so here’s this episode’s question.
What is the difference between “preservation” and “conservation.” You hear about preservation efforts and conservation efforts, but how can one distinguish between the two?
The answers, as always, can be found on my website at GetAGripOnYourGrammar.com (And consider this question a teaser to next week’s language tip if you’re listening to this episode as it’s released.)
Personal Update:Let’s be honest, the past year has been… well, a year, and when we all look back, I think there will be specific moments that we each remember. I just experienced one of those events that was a big marker for me. I’m more than two weeks past my second COVID vaccine shot, and I just went to an in-person event including strangers for the first time in over a year. Now, admittedly, it was planned on the small side, not a crowded shebang, but I just went to a friend’s book launch party, and not only was it this sense of nostalgic normality, but it was a dose of how much I didn’t even realize how much the in-person literary world was lacking in my life. I mean, I didn’t tackle hug everyone, but it was a bit surreal.
Hang in there, folks. We’ll find a way through all of this. Somehow. I hope you and yours are doing well. And next time you’re in a room full of strangers, maybe you can stun them with your vast knowledge of octopuses. Maybe. Or, maybe not.
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If you like what you’ve been hearing, don’t forget to subscribe to this podcast (via Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Android, Google Podcasts, Stitcher, or RSS) so you’ll never miss out on another word you should know. Many thanks to those of you who have taken the time to rate my show wherever you listen.
Words. Language. Communications. We’ve got this.
The post #41 – Singular “Octopus,” Plural “Octo-what?” & the Latest in Words You Should Know appeared first on Kris Spisak.
April 28, 2021
Writing Tip 423: “Straightjacket” or “Straitjacket” (& “Straightlaced” or “Straitlaced”)
Not quite the location of a spelling bee (at least I hope not)! But maybe knowing how to spell “straitjacket” and how to keep “straitlaced” might be important here too.Imagine being up on stage for a spelling bee. You’re feeling good. Your confidence is shining through your smile. The word caller clears his throat.
Your next word is “straightjacket”/”straightjacket.” How sure of yourself do you feel?
Oh no, doubt is setting in.
Okay, rewind that scenario. Let’s give you another choice. The word caller clears his throat.
Your next word is “straightlaced”/”straitlaced.” Feel better? Worse? Hmmm…
How do you spell these words?
Let’s get to the bottom of things and learn the correct spelling, that spelling that’s going to take you to the next round of that spelling bee and beyond.
Let’s start simple:
“Straight” means “having no curves or bends,” “moving in a uniform direction,” and sometimes “heterosexual.”“Strait” means “narrow,” “strict,” “a narrow body of water that connects two larger areas of water, like seas or oceans,” or “constricted.”Awesome. No problems here right?
So let’s turn to our next question. Is it “straitjacket” or “straightjacket”? Do you feel like spelling quandaries sometimes might drive you into one? But things would be pretty dire if one is needed and you don’t even know how to spell it, right?
Answer: “Straitjacket” is the standard spelling.It is a narrow, constricting jacket. “Straitjacket” dates back to roughly 1814, and oh the writing prompts that could come from this single word.
“Straightjacket” is not technically correct, though it has been used so frequently by those that don’t know the difference that some dictionaries consider it an alternate spelling. Not all do, though, so I wouldn’t recommend it.
But this doesn’t end today’s “straight” vs. “strait” debate.
Is it “straitlaced” or “straightlaced”? Knowing the definitions of “strait” vs. “straight,” where do you lean? Or perhaps, knowing the spelling of “straitjacket,” do you think these words are similar or not?
Answer: “Straitlaced” is the standard spelling.Again, we’re talking about constriction as well as walking the narrow path, as in the right path. “Straitlaced” has been in use since roughly 1554—yep, there’s a solid history to this word, so let’s do our best to respect it.
“Straightlaced” is also used so frequently (in mistake), that some dictionaries have started to deem it an “alternate,” but knowing the true correct answer is important, folks. And not just for spelling bee situations.
Interestingly, these two words are not historically connected. “Straight” is etymologically linked with “stretch,” through a common Old English root streccan, while “strait” is etymologically linked with “strict” through a common Latin root stringere.
Have you ever been scared straight by a spelling bee caller? (Oooh, that “scared straight” does have the “gh” included.) Should we talk about the Bering Strait or other sea passages? (You knew these spellings, I’m guessing.) When I say “dire straits,” do you think of something majorly problematic or the band? If you should walk the “straight and narrow,” could you rephrase this as walking “the straight and strait”?
So many spelling and language questions, but here’s another one you have the answer to.
Good luck, and happy writing, folks.
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The post Writing Tip 423: “Straightjacket” or “Straitjacket” (& “Straightlaced” or “Straitlaced”) appeared first on Kris Spisak.
April 20, 2021
#40 – “Running Amok” Phrase Origin Stories & the Latest in Words You Should Know
A few stolen minutes out of your day to talk words and communication, because our daily lives are surrounded by the evolution and influence of words. Forget the grammar police. There is so much more to this conversation.
Welcome to episode number 40, where we’ll discuss the origins of the phrase “running amok,” not only because we all can feel like chickens with our heads cut off at times but also because this is another expression that has a false story floating around when it comes to its etymology.
And you know I’m out to address that. But first, here’s…
The Latest in Word, Language & Writing NewsThe news is hard to listen to sometimes, so today’s stories are pulling from headlines I’m guessing you haven’t been following. Why? Because there is so much to follow in the world—and while so much is difficult and confusing and let’s be real, sometimes a bit straight-up horrific, some news is simply fascinating and those are stories worth paying attention to as well, right?
We talk language news on this podcast, folks, and here are two language stories you need to know:
I’ve recently come across the story of an Egyptian student’s tablet, of sorts, and when I say “tablet,” I don’t mean anything digital. This was an ancient Egyptian educational tool, a board that was whitewashed again and again for a student to practice their writing, not to waste papyrus perhaps (as one might use a chalk board, white board, or computer so as not to waste paper today). Now this writing board not only has the student’s writing, but it also has an instructor’s editing notes (maybe even grading notes) inserted around the writing in red ink.
Seriously, teachers have loved their red pens for a long time. I had no idea, though I know “pens” is not accurate when we’re talking ancient Egypt. I’m still working on the writing technology of the day and what specific instrumentation was used with the red and black paints still readable today, well, if one can read this writing, that is.
Admittedly, this one isn’t a recent news story, the Met Museum, who now has this gessoed board, notes its provenance as being purchased in 1928 from someone in Cairo, Egypt. And the object itself dates back to sometime just shy of 2000 years ago (1981–1802 B.C.E.).
Stumbling across writing education in history like this floors me and gives me such a greater perspective on our communications pursuits today. We have been trying to write well and communicate our ideas clearly and succinctly for a long time.
My next news story is related to this finding. A recent study published in the scientific journal “Frontiers in Behavioral Neuroscience” has shown that writing on paper preserves ideas in our brains more successfully than writing on keyboards, smartphones, or other electronic devices. Just a bunch of Luddites trying to make a statement, you say? Not so fast.
Researchers in Japan were studying the effectiveness of our memories after note-taking, and after seeing their findings, they argue that using a pen a paper allows for greater spatial awareness in writing, which allows for better recall. Just think of the specifics here, when you take notes, you write down the ideas, but perhaps you add in something on the sidebar, then you underline something to emphasize it, then you add in something with an arrow or a caret, inserting new information into previously recorded ideas.
Anyhow, there’s a lot of spatial awareness happening simply on that single page of notes, rather than a screen that’s filled up in order, with less jumping around, fewer complexities in font, sidebar notes, doodles, stars, insertions, and other all-over-the-place factors.
Is the activity in the hippocampus triggered by such scattered—or should I say “layered”—note-taking efforts as opposed to what can be handled on our present-day screens? Does using tools like digital highlighters enhance our memories when utilizing digital note-taking methods?
What does your gut say? This research poses some fascinating questions that go far beyond matters of what we feel comfortable with and what we’re used to. Further details are in my show notes, but I’d be fascinated to hear your reaction.
But beyond ancient editors and brain research, there’s so much more to cover today.
Let’s turn to today’s…
English Language History & TriviaIf we want to talk fake news, there are so many stories we could tell. Heck, you could talk about a fake news—yes, totally untrue rumor—that the word “news” comes from “n-e-w-s” as in information gathered from the north, east, west, and south (n-e-w-s). But that’s not true.
There are so many strange language rumors out there. We’ve talked about the “rule of thumb” before (hello, wife abuse rumors), so I know you’re with me on this.
Today, let’s chat about “running amok.” Here’s your hint, it’s not actually about a ship running aground into the muck. Running “a muck.” Nope, that’s not the story. So, please stop believing it’s the truth.
Instead “running amok” has a much darker history, one based in a mental health condition and/or a philosophy of warfare.
My favorite comparison is perhaps the more modern expression, “to go postal.”
What does “going postal” mean? It means to go wild, to have a breakdown, to cause some chaos. Its usage is fairly casual today, but its roots were much darker, based in real violence that broke out among disgruntled postal workers, starting in roughly 1986 and through the 1990s, when other employees and sometimes the general public was killed because of these breakdown moments. Yes, guns were involved, and that’s an entirely different conversation we’ll save for another time.
Now, much like “going postal,” “running amok” has gone through the same transition from horrific origin to casual use, now meaning simply to “lose it,” to “go wild,” or to be chaotic to the nth degree.
As with any phrase with unclear origin, people make many guesses about where it comes from. Because nautical references seem to pop up again and again in our everyday expressions, this is often where our guesses go. However, “running amok,” has nothing to do with steering a ship into the muck and getting it stuck in the muddy, sticky, shallow waters. Sure, you could argue that the navigators might have run amok, causing trouble instead of doing their jobs, but this isn’t the story, folks.
Instead, the first English usage of amok (that’s a-m-o-k) is from the 1516 text, The Book of Duarte Barbosa: An Account of the Countries Bordering on the Indian Ocean and Their Inhabitants, but amok was most greatly popularized by Captain James Cook in 1772.
And if I say Captain Cook, and you immediately jump to Peter Pan’s “Captain Hook,” there may be fair reason, with some historians believing that the author, J.M. Barrie, partially created his Captain Hook inspired by the famed sea captain James Cook, who was killed by people of a land he didn’t understand and who didn’t understand him, perhaps much like the Lost Boys, who Captain Hook certainly didn’t respect or understand. Interesting. But I’m getting away from my point.
“Amok” comes from a Malay word, referring to either a psychiatric disorder where one falls into a murderous frenzy from opium usage, evil spirits in action, or other unknown circumstances. Yikes. And/or it’s connected with a type of Malaysian and/or Javanese warrior soldier called the Amoco, who believed greatly in the glory of death in battle and earning favor from the gods in such a way, and thus without any fear of death were frenzied on the battlefield and in attacks on the street when so driven.
In this way, “amok” is not not so different from the origin of the word “berserk,” coming from the Norse “berserkers,” warriors who attacked and killed with such wild frenzy that they appeared to be in a trance when in action.
As with many antiquated cross-cultural expressions, there’s potential for judgement and disrespect hiding in the etymological weeds—or should I say the etymological muck—however, generally, the association with being “crazed” seems to be the only piece of this expression that carried into the English language.
These days, we think of “running amok” as things getting out of hand. Preschoolers on the loose with finger-paints on the walls. They’re running amok, right? But really, when people use this expression, they actually have no idea how truly out of hand this word actually implies.
A ship running into the muck? Yeah, that’s not it at all.
Is your mind now running amok with ideas? Actually, scratch that. That’s far too complicated of a question, and potentially too brutal.
Aren’t language origin stories fascinating?
Now, turning to our…
Language ChallengeAt the beginning of this episode, before our conversation ran amok, I mentioned inserting notes into a document by adding “carets,” those little vertical arrows or upside-down Vs that editors (and perhaps grammar teachers) have been known to love (^).
Heck, you could insert so many carets into our explorations about running amok, like notes on “going postal” and “berserkers” and false origin stories about mud.
But think fast, how do you spell that word “caret”? Is it like the vegetable? Like a diamond or a gold ring? Or something else entirely?
How confident do you feel?
The answers, as always, can be found on my website, at GetAGripOnYourGrammar.com
Personal Update:For those who have been following along with me on this podcast, you know I’m an author, but I’m also a fiction editor and sometimes a ghostwriter. What is a ghostwriter? Well, it doesn’t mean I’m haunted—well, I don’t think so anyhow. It means that I’ve been known to pen books for others who have a story, a mission, an idea, or something great to share but who either don’t have the time, the passion, or the know-how when it comes to actually making it happen.
So, I have a shelf in my home office where I proudly showcase my client’s books—fiction and nonfiction, editorial assistance and ghostwriting. And this shelf just expanded by three titles in the past few weeks. I just have to keep cheering on the writers and storytellers making it happen, everyone who has an idea to share that they find a way to communicate with the world. How awesome is it to see that idea, that dream, come to life? It’s one thing when I experience this feeling myself as an author, but when I have the privilege of celebrating with my clients, it makes me so incredibly happy.
More on my own work soon. Today, I’m just throwing up some punctuation-shaped confetti as I’m cheering others on. Because, wow, celebrating others’ successes is sometimes just as exciting as celebrating your own. Who’s with me?
I’m no Egyptian school master. My editorial commentary doesn’t running amok across the page, though I do love to include lots of side-notes and carets. But more on my many, many language notes next time.
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If you like what you’ve been hearing, don’t forget to subscribe to this podcast (via Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Android, Google Podcasts, Stitcher, or RSS) so you’ll never miss out on another word you should know. Many thanks to those of you who have taken the time to rate my show wherever you listen.
Words. Language. Communications. We’ve got this.
The post #40 – “Running Amok” Phrase Origin Stories & the Latest in Words You Should Know appeared first on Kris Spisak.
April 7, 2021
Writing Tip 422: “Vicious” vs. “Viscous”
Bees might seem vicious. Their honey, though, is viscous.Oh, two little letters can make all the difference sometimes, can’t they? In this case, it’s the difference between ferocity and being all washed up. Well, kind of.
What is the difference between “vicious” and “viscous”?Here’s what you need to know:
“Vicious” means extremely aggressive, fierce, and/or dangerous.“Viscous” means having a thick, sticky, or slow-moving liquid consistency.If you’re writing a text message about how vicious someone is, there’s an absolute difference between these two words and whether you include the second “i” or that “s.” If someone is “viscous,” there’s an entirely different story going on. Perhaps that story involves how that person is in fact made out of honey.
And if that’s the case, maybe that person wouldn’t be vicious; they’d be sweet. No? Too much?
What’s fun about these two words is their etymologies. You could argue that viscosity is related to Christmas and that viciousness is related to the worst of our vices. Why? Because “viscous” comes from the Latin word viscum, meaning “sticky,” “birdlime that comes from mistletoe,” or sometimes simply mistletoe itself. “Vicious” has the same root as “vice,” the Latin word vitium, meaning “fault.”
“Vicious” has been used in English since the 1300s, but interestingly enough, so has “viscous.” Which came first? The world may never know. Well, that’s perhaps not true. The world might someday know, but my research hasn’t yet uncovered the answer.
But the good news is that you hopefully have uncovered your answer concerning the difference between “vicious” vs. “viscous.” Just remember the difference between the bees and the honey. Or perhaps to build some plot, just remember the difference between the bees out to defend their threatened hive and the honey. Bears? Annoying people? I’ll let you fill in the rest of the details.
Good luck!
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March 24, 2021
#39 – “Gargoyle” Origin Stories & the Latest in Words You Should Know
A few stolen minutes out of your day to talk words and communication, because our daily lives are surrounded by the evolution and influence of words. Forget the grammar police. There is so much more to this conversation.
Welcome to episode number 39, where we’ll dive into the etymology and origin stories of gargoyles.
Why gargoyles? Well, beyond the opportunity to talk onomatopoeia and story characters turned architectural staples, sometimes it’s fun to just close my eyes, open a word origin dictionary, and put my finger down on a random page. Seriously. Hello, gargoyles. But things happen for a reason, folks. I’ll get to that in a moment.
First, here’s…
The Latest in Word, Language & Writing NewsBestselling author Stephen King took to Twitter last weekend asking for some grammar help. Anyone who has ever felt high and mighty about grammar, please take note. Everyone, yes, everyone has moments to pause and think things out. When someone like Stephen King does so in a public medium such as Twitter, I’m just delighted by it.
What started as a statement about the joy of movies including tap dancing led to an intense debate of whether his sentence should be “What America needs are more tap-dancing movies” or “What America needs is more tap-dancing movies.” And the grammarists, grammaristas, and grammarians of Twitter were off, including editors from prominent publishers. What would you say? Check out my show notes for more details on the debate!
Since we started with a novelist, I’ll also add today that The New York Times recently published an article titled, “Still Stuck at Home? It Might Be Time to Work on That Novel.” Brilliant idea? I’d argue so if you ever felt so inclined.
Though, perhaps I should end this news section with the recent discovery and sharing of Douglas Adams’s note to himself:
“Writing isn’t so bad really when you get through the worry. Forget about the worry, just press on. Don’t be embarrassed about the bad bits. Don’t strain at them…. Writing can be good. You attack it, don’t let it attack you.”
Yep, even the famed author of The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy had struggles with storytelling and the written word. Take heart if you ever have those moments!
There’s so much more writing and communications news to share, like the fact that a company called “Hugging Face” recently raised $40 million dollars for its natural language processing library, but we’ll jump back into that merging of language and technology in a future episode.
English Language History & TriviaToday, we’re not talking tech. Today, we’re talking myth, fables, legends, paganism … well, kind of. Today, in short, we’re talking about “gargoyles.”
What’s the origin of the word “gargoyle”?
Who are these guys and where did they come from in terms of story history?
Fantasy readers, this episode might just be dedicated to you.
Ready for this? I feel like this is where you shout “arg!” or something, but I think that’s more pirate than gargoyle. What does a gargoyle say? Maybe something profound, but I’ll leave that up to you.
Let’s begin with the word “gargoyle,” and it’s base “garg-,” which seems to be little more than an imitation of a sound you might make in your throat. Awkward swallow. Gag. I don’t know how to make the right noise into the mic, but you get the idea. The words “gargle,” “gurgle,” and “regurgitate,” all come from the same onomatopoetic root. And if you’re curious, the word “poetic” is hiding inside of “onomatopoetic.” Don’t you love that? I had to bring in poetry, folks. We’re talking bodily sounds here.
So “gargoyle” comes from throat sounds, which moved through Greek and Latin, eventually to Old French, where we had the word gargouille, meaning throat. Its this Old French word which took on the meaning of creatures used in drainage systems, where the water would flow through their throats.
Not all gargoyles on churches and other grand buildings serve this function today, of course, but since the thirteenth century, many gargoyles have preserved the stone walls of structures by diverting the water away with their own grotesque style.
Now structures that have diverted water through a creature’s mouth of some sort was not an idea original to France in the thirteenth century when “gargoyles,” as we might now know them, first came to be. The Egyptians had lion heads that had the same functions on buildings, and similar lion head water spouts even appeared on the temple of Zeus in Olympia, Greece.
But—and here’s where the myth comes in—also in the thirteenth century in France, there was a legend, the legend of the man who would become St. Romanus, who slayed a fire-breathing, water-spitting dragon to save his people, cutting off his head and neck and attaching it to a church. Now this dragon, according to legend, had great bat-like wings, a long neck, and a mouth that snapped shut with a sound like the clap of a guillotine. All the stories seem to mention this sound like a guillotine, which I find particularly interesting because guillotines wouldn’t be invented for another several-hundred years; however, similar devices were referenced in literature, so we’ll let that slide in contemporary retellings.
According to some traditions, stone gargoyles were representations of demons that one were to avoid by coming into the church (evil outside the walls; holy inside the walls); some sources argue that every holy symbol inside of a church can be balanced with a symbol of evil outside of the church to remind the people of the narrow path they need to tread to lead a good life; some say that gargoyles were displayed to attract pagans to the church. I do love the rabbit holes you can fall down when it comes to stories. I also love that decorative, non-water-spout gargoyles in Somerset, England are called “hunky punks.”
There are so many fantastic creatures across cultures and across time, but gargoyles are one of the few stories that have become architectural traditions as well. What’s your favorite mythical creature? And do you know it’s origin story? As always, contact me if you’d like to share what you know.
Language ChallengeFor today’s language challenge, since we’re talking fantasy creatures, let’s keep going in this vein. Do you know the difference between a “maze” and a “labyrinth”? They aren’t actually synonyms.
What do you think? Do you know why?
The answers, as always, can be found on my website, at GetAGripOnYourGrammar.com
Personal Update:Here’s where the gargoyles, creatures with so many stories surrounding them, come full circle.
I have been doing some deep research into the nature of stories lately, why certain tales take hold of us, why certain ideas become a part of the cultural zeitgeist, and what the effects of these stories are on us over time. Everywhere we turn, we hear stories in one form or another these days, right? And may I just say that while I am certainly aching for past days where I’ve been able to put on white gloves and go into dusty library archives, the simple nature of pursuing curiosity with an academic’s eye is filling my soul at the moment. It’s good to tackle projects that fill your soul when you can. More on this soon.
What’s filling your soul these days, folks? Great stories? The pursuit of writing? The pursuit of happiness or the happiness of pursuit? Whatever you’re up to, keep at it. I’ll have more words you should know for you next time.
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If you like what you’ve been hearing, don’t forget to subscribe to this podcast (via Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Android, Google Podcasts, Stitcher, or RSS) so you’ll never miss out on another word you should know. Many thanks to those of you who have taken the time to rate my show wherever you listen.
Words. Language. Communications. We’ve got this.
The post #39 – “Gargoyle” Origin Stories & the Latest in Words You Should Know appeared first on Kris Spisak.
March 16, 2021
Writing Tip 421: “Shamrock” vs. “Four-leaf Clover”
Sure, other varieties of plants are sometimes used in decorations—I’m looking at you wood sorrels—but knowing a true shamrock is part of the Irish tradition too.Psst… I have a secret for you. Okay, maybe it’s not a secret, but it sometimes feels like one. Want to make sure you have the luck of the Irish on your side? If so, learn the difference between “shamrock” vs. “four-leaf clover” please.
Put down the green beer and the “Kiss Me I’m pretending to be Irish” t-shirt. It’s time to delve into the details.
Remember:
A “shamrock,” the traditional Irish symbol, has three leaves, and these three leaves commonly stand for faith, hope, and love. The word “shamrock” comes from the Gaelic word seamrog, meaning “little clover.”A “four-leaf clover” clearly does not have three leaves. It has four—yes, I’m stating the obvious—and it’s this fourth leaf that stands for luck. Yet, it’s also this fourth leaf that makes it not a shamrock.Four-leaf clovers are rare, while three-leaf clovers like shamrocks are in abundance.
The trefoilium family of plants—think clovers and peas—actually gains its name from its three leaves, specifically from the Latin word tres, “three”, combined with folium, “leaf.” Shamrocks are in this family. You’re noticing a theme here: three leaves, not four.
There’s a great story about St. Patrick using the shamrock to explain the Holy Trinity to the people of Ireland, its three leaves standing for the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost; however, the historical record doesn’t quite hold up this connection—or, at least, it doesn’t hold up in connection with St. Patrick himself. But it makes a good story, and that’s something worth holding onto too, as long as you know the facts of things.
Etymology, botany, the history of saints… these are all subjects worthy of exploration. Some answers are complex, but others are easy. The distinction between “shamrock” vs. “four-leaf clover” is a fairly straight-forward one. Much like the question of “St. Patty’s Day” vs. “St. Paddy’s Day,” these are the answers you simply need to know.
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March 9, 2021
#38 – Thesaurus. Thesauri? What’s the Word? & the Latest in Words You Should Know
A few stolen minutes out of your day to talk words and communication, because our daily lives are surrounded by the evolution and influence of words. Forget the grammar police. There is so much more to this conversation.
Welcome to episode number 38, where we’ll talk about thesauruses, or thesauri—what is the plural of this word? And the fascinating history of these reference books that often aren’t even in alphabetical order. Right. The alphabets not the only way to categorize your subject matter after all.
But first, here’s…
The Latest in Word, Language & Writing NewsSo this might not be a story on language per se, but amid all of the coronavirus talk about lockdowns, this was a story that caught my eye. Did you hear the one about the venomous spider loose in between the stacks of books at the Hogwarts—nope, that’s not right—at the University of Michigan library.
Seriously, this is a temporary closure that I think almost everyone can get behind. And to set the record straight, it wasn’t one, nor two, but three venomous Mediterranean recluse spiders. (For notes on “venomous” vs. “poisonous,” see the Words You Should Know podcast, episode 22, once known as Season 2, Episode 10.)
To quote from ABC news, “The Mediterranean recluse hitchhikes with people throughout the world and has been found in 22 states. They like caves and can be found in basements and boiler rooms.”
Story prompt? Nightmare prompt? Spider guards to the words preserved within the hallowed walls of academia? Yikes. Anyhow. Moving on…
In other communications news, journalist / data junkie Ben Blatt, recently published the findings of his statistical analysis of storytelling, looking to great works of literature, from John Steinbeck to Charles Dickens to Jane Austen to Toni Morrison to Salman Rushdie to Amy Tan and beyond, and also contemporary best sellers and even fan fiction.
In short, it was a project to examine the writing advice one hears for powerful storytelling and communications of all sort. Avoid adverbs and stick to more powerful verbs. Don’t use too many exclamation points. Begin with short, direct sentences. And starting with the weather, whether in an email or a novel, doesn’t really accomplish anything but stalling the point.
So, Blatt was off, using using a programming language called Python and a set of tools called the Natural Language Toolkit.
What did he find? Not only that Agatha Christie’s most common words were “inquest,” “alibi,” and “frightful” and that Mark Twain’s were “hearted,” “shucks,” and “satan” (I mean, how Mark Twain is that?), but also that Stephen King and many who might be considered the “greats” of literature are with him when he says he avoids those adverbs.
You can find more details in my show notes:
“Data Science Reveals Why the Best Business Writers Avoid Certain Words” (Inc.)“One Writer Used Statistics to Reveal the Secrets of What Makes Great Writing” (Smithsonian Magazine)“’Nabokov’s Favorite Word Is Mauve’ Crunches The (Literary) Numbers” (NPR, Pop Culture Happy Hour)Oh, I could spend so much more time with these findings, and believe me, I will, but I’ll move on to the meat of our episode.
Ooh look, more history and analysis of how we use our language! I would say just kidding, but I’m not… that’s what this show is all about, right?
In today’s…
English Language History & TriviaLet’s talk about the thesaurus. Whether you use it for your writing or for your crossword puzzles, it’s hard to argue against the power of this language tool.
First things first, what is the plural of this word? Thesauri? Thesauruses? (Who else is imagining some sort of dinosaur right now?)
If you’re using dinosaurs as your model to answer this question, you wouldn’t completely be wrong, but then again, if you’re using an octopus or cactus as your model, you wouldn’t completely be wrong either.
Wait, you were looking for one answer to this question?
The answer is that the plural of “thesaurus” is accepted to be either “thesauri” (“T-H-E-S-A-U-R-I”) or “thesauruses” (“T-H-E-S-A-U-R-U-S-E-S”). Historically, following the Latin rules, “thesauri” was the standard, but modern English has evolved to include “thesauruses” not only as a “casual” or “nonstandard” form but as a standard form in its own right.
Now, “thesaurus” comes from the Greek word that means both “treasure” and “storehouse.” I’m sure the wordsmiths among you might find that a particularly perfect association.
Roget’s Thesaurus was first published in 1852 and hasn’t been out of print since. Why is this a big deal, let’s think on this.
Peter Mark Roget was a Renaissance man of his time. Not only did this guy love chess, bee keeping, and kaleidoscopes, but he also was also a practicing physician, even for a time serving as physician to the Spanish Embassy. He counted among his friends Samuel Taylor Coleridge and Poet Laureate William Wordsworth. He was a part of the discovery that nitrous oxide could be used as an anesthetic, the creation of the London sewage system, and the development of the film industry, among many other pursuits.
So, if you ever play the game of if you could have dinner with any one figure from history, I argue that Dr. Peter Mark Roget should maybe be on your list of considerations.
What I find particularly fascinating about him though, is that while he had an incredibly hard life in terms of his family’s mental health and his own father died when he was only four years old, young Peter coped by making lists. By creating order.
And by the time he was twenty-six years old, he was working on what he called a “reverse dictionary,” a list of synonyms for when the definitions are known but similar words are needed. Yes, this was the thesaurus before it ever gained its official name, but it was indeed Roget who gave it this title, this “treasure house.”
Earlier linguists had used the term referring to Latin and Greek dictionaries in the 1500s, which were written in Latin and Greek.
It was love of diverse disciplines, his endless curiosity about the world, and his desire for order, classification, and bettering oneself that led to the invention of the thesaurus, and after his own death, Roget’s Thesaurus became a family project of sorts, with both his son and grandson continuing the effort.
Fun thesaurus facts:
Roget’s first thesaurus was arranged by category, not by alphabetical order. Because who says alphabetical order is the only way of organizing research books? (Side note, I’m in the middle of a great book on this subject right now, and I’ll likely be returning to alphabetical order in a future episode.)The original 1852 title was “Dr. Roget’s Thesaurus of English Words and Phrases classified and arranged to facilitate the Expression of Ideas and assist in Literary Composition.”While Roget began this pursuit in his twenties, his career didn’t allow for him to finish it until he was retired. Roget was seventy-three when it was first published, but he was active in multiple revisions in future editions of the book until his death at ninety-one years old in 1869.While Roget’s is the first modern English thesaurus, the concept dates back to ancient Greece, specifically a work called “On Synonyms” by the Greek historian and grammarian Philo of Byblos, published circa the late 1st or early 2nd century, and a Sanskrit grammarian and poet from ancient India named Amarasimha published a thesaurus known as the “Treasury of Amara” in what was likely the 600s. This Sanskrit tome is especially intriguing to me because it was published not as a vocabulary list but as a long poem. How amazing is that?And I also have a list of Thesaurus jokes in my show notes, because, well, why not? Thank you, Readers Digest.
Language ChallengeSo if I started with the question of “what is the plural of ‘thesaurus’”? Let’s make today’s language challenge another question about plural forms. What is the plural of “loaf” as in a “loaf” of bread? Too easy? Maybe. But type it out. Spellcheck won’t help you.
The answers, as always, can be found on my website, at GetAGripOnYourGrammar.com
Personal Update:May I give a shout-out to all the writing partners out there? What do I mean by “partner”? I’m not talking about co-writers, especially, though those types of partners are awesome too. I’m talking about beta readers, critique partners, writing groups, and all of the partners have in their lives helping them and cheering them on.
As I think I mentioned last time, I have a project that I’ve been thinking about for the past year but not quite taking action on. For the past month or so, I’ve been really going deep into the research and planning about how I could tackle the beast that I’m getting kind of psyched about tackling. Yes, that’s what we writers do, we tackle beats of course! But having sounding boards for bouncing ideas off of is really just priceless. Yes, my literary agent is one of these sounding boards, but there are a number of others in the mix. And they rock.
So if you’re a supporter of writers, go you! If you’re a writer, this pursuit doesn’t have to be lonely. Dreamwork makes the team work. Okay, that might be bordering on cliché these days. Let’s do better. There’s simply power when we work together, because it’s in those moments, our individual and community pursuits inch their ways closer toward becoming realities.
It works well in the end, writers need support.
Sometimes this comes from people. Sometimes it comes from thesauri or thesauruses. It definitely doesn’t come from spiders chasing folks out of libraries. I’m sure any data analysis could agree with that.
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If you like what you’ve been hearing, don’t forget to subscribe to this podcast (via Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Android, Google Podcasts, Stitcher, or RSS) so you’ll never miss out on another word you should know. Many thanks to those of you who have taken the time to rate my show wherever you listen.
Words. Language. Communications. We’ve got this.
The post #38 – Thesaurus. Thesauri? What’s the Word? & the Latest in Words You Should Know appeared first on Kris Spisak.
March 2, 2021
Writing Tip 420: “Sooner Rather Than Later” vs. “Sooner Than Later”
Some phrases come out of people’s mouths so often that we don’t even stop to question them anymore. The wording of “Sooner Rather Than Later” vs. “Sooner Than Later” is one such phrase, isn’t it?
One of them is the standard, and one of them is perhaps a bit lazy. Do you know the difference?
I bet you can guess.
“Sooner rather than later” is the standard phrase, meaning without much delay or in the near future.I hope folks learn this one “sooner rather than later” before they put it into a job application or college essay. Yes, it’s understood either way, and it may have become quite common; however, just because a wording is commonly used doesn’t mean it’s appropriate in all situations.
Think about “could care less” vs. “couldn’t care less” if you need a comparison. Both are said, but only one actually make sense. (Oooh, not sure? Get a Grip on Your Grammar has your answer!)
Just think about it. If you want something, you might prefer it soon, as in the near future, instead of–or rather than–later. It’s a logical wording.
“Sooner than later,” on the other hand, doesn’t quite make sense. If you try to fix it with “sooner then later,” you might be getting closer to logical, but you’re still a bit off from the correct phrase.
Now, the other, similar wording that might be causing all the trouble is “sooner or later.” Short, sweet, and to the point, here’s a phrase that’s just three words long and hundreds of years older than our dear “sooner rather than later” phrase.
Do they share first and last words? Indeed they do, but that doesn’t mean that one three-word phrase should be matched with another three-word phrase, even if our brains trick us into feeling like it’s okay.
If you’re curious, an analysis of the use of these three phrases (“sooner or later” vs. “sooner rather than later” vs. “sooner than later”) further captures what is standard against what is trickling into our common language. (Thanks for this, Google Ngram.)
Language use is a skill and an art, but it’s a skill and an art that everyone should pursue. Questioning what comes out of our mouths before it’s said is a good skill for many reasons.
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February 24, 2021
#37 – “Rule of Thumb” Origin Outrage & the Latest in Words You Should Know
A few stolen minutes out of your day to talk words and communication, because our daily lives are surrounded by the evolution and influence of words. Forget the grammar police. There is so much more to this conversation.
Welcome to episode number 37, where we’ll dive into the question that lingers on so many minds: is the proverbial “rule of thumb” connected with beating one’s wife? Yeah, you heard me right. The rumor’s there. It lingers in college classrooms and in magazine articles. Discussions question its validity. Some argue it couldn’t be true. Or could it? Stay tuned for more on that one, and let’s see if we can put our finger on the truth. Too much? Maybe … But first …
The Latest in Word, Language & Writing NewsSo you’ve probably gathered that I find technology fascinating. And you simply can’t talk about contemporary language news without discussing this area of reaearch and innovation, because when we’re looking at the way we speak, how our language will be preserved, and where its future is going, technology is a big piece of the conversation.
Of course, I also have this theory that linguists of the future or maybe the etymologically curious researchers hundreds of years from now will have questions about the linkages between former president Donald Trump and idioms such as “playing the trump card” and “trumped-up charges”—and no matter what direction you lean politically, you’ve got to admit, someone’s going to be confused about this in the future … but that’s beside the point of things.
The two news stories I wanted to touch upon today are these:
First, reading isn’t just a way to cram facts into your brain. It’s a way to rewire how your brain works in general. And I’m not talking about hacking fruit flies like in last episode, Reading, by itself and I quote from a recent article in Inc., “strengthens your ability to imagine alternative paths, remember details, picture detailed scenes, and think through complex problems. In short, reading makes you not just more knowledgeable, but also functionally smarter.”
So, yeah, get your word on folks. Dive into stories. You’ll be all the better for it. Links to the specific research points are available in this episode’s show notes:
“This Is How Reading Rewires Your Brain, According to Neuroscience” (Inc., 2/22/21)“New Study: Reading Fiction Really Will Make You Nicer and More Empathetic” (Inc., 1/25/19)“This Is What a Great Book Does to Your Brain” (Inc., 9/24/18)And speaking of all the better for it—maybe this works as a segue, I’m not quite sure. Are robots getting all the better at their storytelling? Okay, I’m not talking Rosie from the Jetsons sitting down with a stylus on her screen of choice, but Artificial Intelligence is being put to the test—perhaps for the first time ever—when it comes to playwrighting. AI scriptwriting has had its own tests, but on Friday, February 26, 2021, the Czech Centre London in partnership with Prague’s Švanda Theatre will witness the first-ever presentation of a show written entirely by artificial intelligence, specifically GPT-2 trained extensively on existing theatre scripts. There are so many extra notes to highlight here. Yes, this is GPT-2, an earlier version than the GPT-3 technology that has been all over the linguistic and/or technological newsfeeds for the past year. But my favorite part of this is that this show is also to celebrate the one-hundred-year anniversary of the Czech playwright Karel Čapek’s play R.U.R. (Rossum’s Universal Robots), which originated the term “robot.” You heard that right. If you didn’t know, the English word “robot” comes from the Czech language, a word meaning “forced labor” or sometimes translated “to work hard.”
And on the one hundredth anniversary of a play about robots written by a man, we have a play about men written by robots. What will the reviews say? Stay tuned for that.
English Language History & TriviaBut today’s episode isn’t about brain science or artificial intelligence. It might be about a misogynistic legal system, or it might be about more fake language news. Maybe a bit of both, actually.
Have you ever wondered about the origin of the phrase “rule of thumb”? As in, the rule of thumb for buying a house or semicolon usage? (Which is harder? You decide.)
The phrase, “rule of thumb,” as we know means a general principle regarded as correct or understood, but what’s the deal with this thumb? Whose thumb are we talking about and why is it the guide for our decisions?
The problem here is in the connection with the “rule of thumb” idiom and an eighteenth century British judge named Francis Buller. Bueller? Buller? Nope, much different Buller. This one was dubbed “Judge Thumb,” because he was rumored to have said that a man could beat his wife in punishment for misdeeds as long as the stick with which she was beaten was no thicker than his thumb. So, yeah. There’s that.
The truth of Judge Thumb’s reputation is a bit muddled in that it was largely built by famous political cartoonist James Gillray. So, caricaturists might not be the best source of evidence on the matter.
But then there’s some pretty terrible legal arguments on the U.S. side of the Atlantic as well. When discussing the “rule of thumb,” some point to the 1868 North Carolina legal battle of State v. Rhodes, where the judgement was decided, “His Honor was of opinion that the defendant had a right to whip his wife with a switch no longer than his thumb.” The case ultimately went to the State Supreme Court, but they dismissed the case on the basis that the involved husband had not actually harmed the wife substantially. So, um … thus, this court case allowed for beating one’s wife as long as there was no major or permanent damage. Right. Yikes.
It seems a bit damning when all of these historical cases start getting involved, but when we get down to it, the exact phrase “rule of thumb” was never used in theses cases. This wording of the “rule of thumb” never actually held any meaning that seemed to be connected with violence, punishment, or anything similar.
The “rule of thumb” phrase was much more likely connected to the idea of the simple usefulness of the thumb in so many situations. For example, brewers tested the temperature of a batch of beer by dipping their thumb in the brew. Thumbs could be used for estimating measurements of endless varieties, alignment, distance, rough “inches,” and beyond. The Oxford English dictionary agrees with this background story, noting that for over three hundred years, the phrase has been used to refer to measurements based on experience rather than exact science.
The earliest known use of “Rule of Thumb” in print appears to be a sermon printed in the publication Heaven Upon Earth in 1658. It read:
“Many profest Christians are like to foolish builders, who build by guess, and by rule of thumb and not by Square and Rule.”
So what does this sound like to you? Not domestic violence, surely.
Now, if we want to have the conversation about the accepted brutality of marital relations in past eras, brutality often accepted by various governments, oh there’s a discussion we can have. But, in the end of things, the “Rule of Thumb” likely shouldn’t be a part of the conversation. So that’s one positive, I suppose.
Were you getting nervous?
I know, when I was doing my research, I was getting nervous. Etymology, folks. Suspense. Tension. Horror. Hope. Panic. Relief. Who needs to read or write thrillers to feel the rush of adrenaline. Kidding … kind of.
Language ChallengeTurning to our language challenge, since we’re talking the “Rule of Thumb” today and lots of legalities, do you know the difference between “forbid,” “forebode,” and “verboten”?
For example, which one means simply prohibited? And which one is connected with the Old English word for prophecy?
The answers, as always, can be found on my website.
Personal Update:If you’re a creative, like myself, sometimes you find yourself feeling drawn toward a new project here, a new project there. So many ideas, so little time. Or other times, maybe you feel the opposite, a desire to create but no clue what to create.
I’ve mentioned that I’ve been in the midst of a virtual cross-country book tour with my third book, The Family Story Workbook, in partnership with indie bookstores. Shout-out to Book No Further in Roanoke, Virginia, where I’m having an event this week; shout-out to Changing Hands Bookstore in Phoenix and Tempe, Arizona, who hosted me last week; and a final huzzah to the Boulder Bookstore in Colorado who invited me to be a part of your Author Q&A video series. Talk about creativity in action in these strange times.
But back to that idea of new projects. I’ve had something niggling at the back of my mind for nearly a year now that I haven’t allowed myself the time to play with. But I’m officially allowing myself time to play with it. That’s all I’m sharing for now—I know, what a tease!—but a new cool, creative, research-heavy project might be underway. I’ll keep you updated as it develops further.
But as we wrap up today’s episode, I’ll leave you with this:
Spending in-depth time with words and stories can change your brain chemistry for the better. Human-made artificial intelligence is attempting to capture what it’s like to be human on the stage this week. History is full of cruelty and brutality, but at least not all language origin stories are. Sometimes, they’re just full of brewers sticking their thumbs in things. There could be worse things, I suppose. Is that its own rule of thumb? Probably not. But at least now you know what you’re talking about.
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If you like what you’ve been hearing, don’t forget to subscribe to this podcast (via Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Android, Google Podcasts, Stitcher, or RSS) so you’ll never miss out on another word you should know. Many thanks to those of you who have taken the time to rate my show wherever you listen.
Words. Language. Communications. We’ve got this.
The post #37 – “Rule of Thumb” Origin Outrage & the Latest in Words You Should Know appeared first on Kris Spisak.
