Kris Spisak's Blog, page 8

The Words You Should Know podcast is back! (mini-episode)

The Words You Should Know podcast is back! (mini-episode)

Approximate transcript:

Hi there. It’s Kris. How’s everyone doing? I hope you and your words are well, and I do say that to every single one of you, no matter whether you consider yourself a “writer” quote, unquote, or not. We all connect with each other with our words every single day. They matter. But this year has been… well… I don’t know the words to finish that sentence, and that says something considering the focus of this podcast and what I do with every single day of my life.

So much has had our attention this year that we didn’t see coming, but you know what? Our words are in the spotlight too. They always have been, but… wow…

I know, it’s hard to record a podcast about language and communications when I’m a bit speechless, but here we go. Sometimes, things are harder than figuring out the difference between your dog’s “snoot” and his “snout,” between the “instants” that shape our lives and an “instance” of transformative understanding. (That’s “instants” with a “T-S” vs. “instance” with a “C-E,” but that’s another conversation.)

We dropped off in the middle of season 3. Life happened, as it does. Yes, I had a new book come out; yes, I passed the 400th writing tip blog on my website; yes, the coronavirus has shifted everyone’s plans. Our worlds, big and small, have changed in so many ways. I think “pivot” might be the word of the year. 2020 so far has forced me to think about my work, my goals, and my work-life balance, among so many things. We’ve all had those moments, though, haven’t we?

But, without further ado, it’s my pleasure to introduce you to the new iteration of The Words You Should Know podcast. Yes, we’re picking up where we left off. We’ll talk English language trivia, and I’ll challenge your understanding of the words you use every day. But we’re also going to talk about language in the news, how it affects us, how people respond to its evolution, and where questions of usage come into play in real people’s lives.

We’re cutting the idea of “seasons” of this podcast, and I’ll just be coming to you the 2nd and 4th Wednesday of every month. There will be a few exceptions to that plan, but I’ll keep you in the loop. You know I love connecting with you. And if you’re missing the conversation about words and language in our off weeks, my usual writing tips articles will still be going live on my website on the 1st and 3rd Wednesdays of the month.

Words matter. And it’s time to pick back up this conversation—for all moments momentous and minuscule. Stay tuned for our first official episode back, episode #29 in September.

The details about snoots, snouts, instants, and instance are in the show notes on my website, of course, and have you seen the list of new words the OED just added to their dictionary? “Athleisure.” “Garbageology.” “Shero.” And that’s just the start. Find it all at GetAGripOnYourGrammar.com, and if you’re as into these conversations as I am, subscribe to the “Words You Should Know” podcast wherever you listen. We can continue this journey together.

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If you like what you’ve been hearing, don’t forget to subscribe to this podcast (via Apple Podcasts, 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.

And if you’re looking for an Elements of Style for the Twitter Generation, check out my book, Get a Grip On Your Grammar: 250 Writing and Editing Reminders for the Curious or Confused. Newbery-winning and New York Times bestselling author Meg Medina says, “You should keep a copy on your desk.” Sounds like good advice to me. Why not learn more about my other books while you’re at it, too?

Words. Language. Communications. You’ve got this.

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Writing Tip 407: “Instance” vs. “Instant” (vs. “Instances” vs. “Instants”)

Is this an instance of magic or the instant the first stars of the night start to appear? Perhaps a bit of both.

Here’s an instance of when multiple instants combine for a lot of confusion. For instance, there might be instants when spellcheck and autocorrect betray you. It happens. And it’s in an instant like that when we have to make sure we have things right. We have powerful tools and instances of the future on our fingertips, but this power isn’t perfected. So, everyone’s cool with my usages of “instance” vs. “instant” vs. “instances” vs. “instants,” right? No problems here at all?

Well, just in case, let’s talk about these words because I’ve seen them muddled just enough that it’s worth a conversation.

What is the difference between “instance” and “instant”? How do you use each properly?

Remember:

“Instance,” as a noun, means a single occurrence of something or an example.
“Instances” (plural) means multiple examples of something.
“Instant,” as a noun, means a precise moment or a tiny space in time.
“Instants” (plural) means multiple specific moments. Yes, it might sound much like “instance”; however, spelling matters, folks!

In short, keep things simple for yourself:

If you can swap in the word “example(s),” use “instance(s)”; if you can swap in the word “moment(s),” use “instant(s).”

They may be so close, yet these are not the same words. It should be noted that “instance” can also be a verb, meaning “to mention as an example,” and “instant” can also be an adjective meaning “immediate” (e.g., “instant coffee,” “instant oatmeal,” or “instant grammar-check gratification”), but these don’t seem to be the forms of these words where there is nearly as much confusion.

These words have been in the English language for a long time (far more than just an instant). As nouns, both “instance” and “instant” have been around since the 1300s. “Instant” has roughly the same definition today as it did in its earliest centuries; “instance” has shifted more dramatically, though. Its earliest definition was related to a solicitation.

All that being said, perfecting your language choice isn’t something that is instantaneous, but we can all keep working on it, right?

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Writing Tip 406: “Vibrance” vs. “Vibrancy”

“Vibrance” or “vibrancy”? What word would you use?

If you meet someone with a certain vibrance, is that different from having a certain vibrancy? Or is one of those usages just simply not correct? One little letter sometimes makes all the difference, doesn’t it?

Do you have a gut instinct here? “Vibrance” vs. “vibrancy” feels like a complicated decision.

The tricky part is that these are both indeed words and that they are exact synonyms. Yes, exact synonyms. The English language’s indecision about how “vibrant,” an adjective, becomes a noun has given us two answers. Isn’t it wonderful? (Note, I might be saying that with sarcasm.)

Remember:

Both “vibrancy” and “vibrance” mean the quality of being full of life or especially bright (in color). People can have vibrance or vibrancy, and a summertime flower garden can too. “Vibrancy” came into English first, but only by a decade or so, first documented in 1890. “Vibrance” first appeared in roughly 1900.

But it’s not a toss-up between the two. If you look at popular usage, there’s a clear winner, and there pretty much always has been:



If “vibrance” is your preferred word, you’re not wrong. You’re just in the minority. No one should call you out for a typo or block you on social media for your grammar faux pas. (Meanwhile, calm down, folks. Yelling and angry typing about the words we use doesn’t actually help people as much as you seem to think.)

The fun detail that most forget or don’t realize about these words is that “vibrance,” “vibrancy,” and “vibrant” are near cousins with “vibrate.” They all share the same lineage, which traces back to the Latin word vibrare, meaning to shake back and forth, as in rocking, or to glitter or flash, among multiple other definitions. I suppose complicated words bring about more complicated words, and the confusion between “vibrancy” and “vibrance” is only a piece of that story.

And there are always stories hiding within the words we use, aren’t there?

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Writing Tip 405: “Bloc” vs. “Block”

We could also talk about the splatter and/or spatter on these blocks, but that’s a different discussion.

When it comes to elections, there are so many words people don’t quite use correctly. I’m not even talking about #fakenews. That’s another story—one worth digging into with all of your curiosity and truth-seeking passion. For now, though, I’m looking at you “few” versus “less,” and there are so many more examples.

How do you spell it when people “canvas” / “canvass” a neighborhood?
Or when we count the “amount of” vs. “number of” votes?

Yep, I’ve already covered a number of these, but today let’s look at the words “block” vs. “bloc”—another tricky pair that is muddled all of the time. These are two unique words, folks.

As we take the time to better understand the world around us and participate in making it a better place, it’s time to ensure we get this, among so many other things, right.

Remember:

A “bloc” is not a typo. It is a group, often temporary, acting together for a common purpose. Countries can make up a bloc. Legislators can make up a bloc. Voters can too.
A “block” has multiple definitions. It is an obstacle, a solid rectangular piece of wood or another building material, or a rectangular section of a city or town surrounded on all sides by interconnected streets. These definitions seem to go on and on, but the one thing a “block” isn’t is that group acting together for a common purpose. If you’re seeing it used in that way, my friends, what you’re looking at is a typo.

When it comes to the history of these words, it won’t help much when it comes to telling them apart. Why? Because they both derive from the same French word, bloc. The difference is when they came into the English language. “Block” came into English in the 1400s, while “bloc” came centuries later in the early 1900s. And their meanings have always been unique.

Confused? Don’t be. “Block” is misused all of the time, when “bloc” is what a writer truly intends. These writers just frequently don’t know the difference. But ignorance isn’t bliss. It’s just messy. We can do better, and that’s what we’re out to do, right? Is there a bloc for that? Let’s make that happen.

Bonus writing tip: For those overly reliant on spellcheck, have confidence if you use the phrase “en bloc,” meaning “as a whole.” Just like usages of “en masse,” a phrase that shares nearly the same meaning, spellcheck will tell you it’s wrong every time, but sometimes a dignified turn of phrase not only elevates your communication, but it also makes you savvier than your software. Go, you.

You can block someone on social media, or you can be a force in a bloc setting out to collaborate, cooperate, and create a better world for us all. We have many options these days. Have at it, folks. Starting with your word choice is always a smart bet.

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Writing Tip 404: “Snoot” vs. “Snout”

What would you say? Is this a “snoot” or “snout”? Is this a “dog”? A “pupper”? A “doggo”? There are so many language options.

Sometimes, we need to delve deep into heavy issues and be our best possible selves, especially in the words we use. We need to effect change. Other times, we just need to figure out the difference between “snoot” vs. “snout” because there’s got to be a difference. There wouldn’t be two words if there wasn’t a difference hiding in there somewhere, right?

Right. Definitely. And it’s time to dig into these answers. (Whether you’re digging with your snout or snoot leading the way is up to you.)

Here’s what you need to know:

A “snout” is an old word, going back to the 1200s, meaning a long projecting nose. Think swine. Or dogs. In modern English, it can also refer to anything that resembles the shape of that long animal nose too. A prow of a ship? The point of a glacier (which of course differs from an ice floe)? They can be “snouts” one and all.
A “snoot” is a more recent word, only used in English since 1861 as a noun. You could argue that it’s the preferred slang variant of “snout” for the “doggo” crowd. (Note, that’s an unofficial hypothesis). Any nose can be a “snoot,” even a person’s nose too, which is slightly in contrast to “snout,” which is only used for human noses in an extremely derogatory manner.

My favorite, though, is the verb forms of these words.

“To snout” means to dig or search for something, whether it’s a pig looking for truffles with its snout or a detective snouting out the answer to the mystery.
“To snoot,” in contrast, means to treat badly, to grimace or make faces at, or to complain loudly.

So these two words aren’t quite the same after all in the verb form. Interesting indeed. Or if you’re not so captivated by these verb forms, here’s some more language trivia for you:

Bonus Writing Tip: “Snooty” comes from this slang-version of snout. Why? Because people put their snoots up into the air. I’m not actually kidding either. When you hear about someone being “snooty,” just like “snobby,” the mental picture is often of someone raising their nose into the air, isn’t it?

Bonus Writing Tip #2: “Snobby” and more directly “snob” is a word with a history of absolute transformation. In the 1700s, “snob” meant “cobbler,” as in one who would make your shoes. Later, in Cambridge, England, it was used to describe a “townie” (there’s a fun modern word for you) rather than a someone associated with the university. From there “snob” shifted to mean anyone not associated with a higher class, and then later it referenced anyone who imitated or sought to closely associate with someone they deemed more powerful or influential. Only in the 1900s did “snob” become the word we know today, as in one who is “snooty,” or one who scoffs at the idea of mingling with someone they see as lesser. Yep, from shoemaker to one who snoots, that’s the history of the word “snobby.”

So, if you know of someone you might consider “snobby,” know that there is hope for them yet. Words can transform. People can evolve too. And isn’t that glorious?

No need to put your snoots or snouts in the air, but isn’t knowing the truth of the language we speak a powerful tool in our arsenal? I think so.

Words. Language. Communication. You’ve got this.

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Writing Tip 403: “Rue” vs. “Roux”

This poor fox rues the day that “What Does the Fox Say?” jumped into pop culture history. He liked his ancient mystery.

Maybe you know that Winnie the Pooh’s friend (and Kanga’s kid) is called “Roo,” but when it comes to “Rue” vs. “Roux” you might feel less confident. How do you spell “rue the day”? Or is it “roux the day”? Maybe little Roo’s birthday is “Roo day”? It’s time to get to some answers once and for all.

Remember:

To “Rue” means to deeply regret or to feel remorse. “Rue” can also be a noun referencing that deep regret, sorrow, or remorse. If you’re looking for the connection here with the French word rue, meaning “street,” there isn’t one. A shared spelling, sure, but the English version of “rue,” dating back to the 1100s, derives from an Old English word, hrēow, which came from Old High German.
A “Roux” is a thickening agent used in sauces, soups, and stews. It’s commonly a mixture of flour and butter, but almost any cooked mixture of flour and fat will do (whatever might suit your palate). This “roux” does indeed come from French, specifically a shorthand of beurre roux, meaning “brown butter.” “Roux” came into common English usage in the late 1700s.

Thus, the correct expression is “to rue the day,” which means to bitterly regret an event that’s taken place.

You might have a “roux of the day” that a chef is excited about, but otherwise “rue” holds strong.

Bonus “rue” trivia:

“Rue” is also an herb with a storied history. Not only is it commonly referenced in Lithuanian and Ukrainian folk songs and folktales, but it was once used medicinally from ancient Rome to ancient China. Ancient Egyptians claimed rue was a gift from the gods. Having gained the nickname “The Herb of Grace,” rue was ordered to be used in cloister gardens in the 700s so that nuns and priests would keep their chastity (i.e., they used rue so they wouldn’t rue their decisions). Early Celtic traditions claimed that rue would ward off evil magic. Italian artists like Michelangelo and da Vinci were said to chew on rue to enhance their creativity. Gulliver uses it in Gulliver’s Travels as a strong aromatic to overpower offensive smells. The tales go on and on.

More than you ever wanted to know about rue? Do you have a desire to make a “roux” involving “rue” and see what happens? (I’d recommend further research before trying that one.) What little Roo would say about all of this, I don’t know, but you, at least, are fully prepared to tackle the correct spelling of these words. And there’s nothing to rue about that.

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Writing Tip 402: “Affect Change” or “Effect Change”

When change is in the air—when you can see it in the clouds, on the streets, or anywhere else—what are you going to do?

Oh, I know, you’ve got this. You’ve mastered “affect” vs. “effect.” You didn’t even need Get a Grip on Your Grammar to teach you the difference between this tricky pair. But then came this moment in your life, and you’re ready to “effect change” in the world (or are you ready to “affect change” in the world)? Uh oh. “Affect Change” or “Effect Change”?

Do you still feel as confident as you did a moment ago?

First, some review:

“Affect” is most commonly a verb meaning “to influence.”
“Effect” is most commonly a noun meaning “a result.”

When you affect something, there is an effect. Simple, right?

But are you bothered that I used “commonly” in both of those definitions? That’s because there are a lot of subtleties to these two words, where they just want to mess with you. Okay, perhaps words don’t actually want to mess with you, but it feels like that sometimes, doesn’t it?

I could go deeper here (and have … ahem, Get a Grip…), but let’s get to the crux of today’s conversation.

Is it “Affect Change” or “Effect Change”?

The moment you think of noun versus verb, you might think you have it down. However, here’s the curve-ball:

The correct phrase is “to effect change.” Yes, “effect” with an “e.”

Are you effecting change in your community through your work or your words?

Are you effecting change in your manuscript by delving into your editing?

Are you effecting change among your family and friends by being the role model desperately needed?

No matter how you might be doing it, you’re effecting change. I see the logic of “affecting” here, but it’s simply not the correct answer. English language rule exceptions are in effect again. (See what I did there? In effect? Yep, for something to be “in effect,” it’s another usage of “effect” with an “e.”)

Complicated? It seems so; it’s true. But you’ve got this. Of everything you might feel up against, the English language doesn’t have to be on the list.

Bonus Tip:

Speaking of effecting change, Gandhi is frequently given credit for the quote, “Be the change you wish to see in the world.” Powerful words? Absolutely. Were they actually Gandhi’s? Uh oh, have I made you hesitate again?

This line is actually a paraphrase of his words, close but not quite something he ever said. I know you’ve seen it on memes, bumper stickers, and who knows where else, but just because you see something used doesn’t mean that it’s accurate. It’s as true for grammar and spelling as it is for anything else.

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Writing Tip 401: “Cut and Dry” vs. “Cut and Dried”

Are these peppers cut and dried? Yep.

If only the English language was cut and dry—or is it “cut and dried”? Oh no. It’s another expression that you probably felt really confident about until I raised the question. And now it’s ping-ponging back and forth in your mind. “Cut and Dry” vs. “Cut and Dried” vs. “Cut-and-Dry” vs. “Cut-and-Dried.” What is the standard version?

If you’re having a moment of embarrassment, nervous you’ve always said this one wrong, you might feel better because you’ve hardly been alone in this confusion.

Since this expression came into common use around 1700, the correct answer and therefore people’s usage of it have been a bit wobbly. In fact, it started as “cut and dried.” Between 1714 and 1739, “cut and dry” stepped into the lead and then did again between 1744 and 1767 and a third time between 1782 and 1787. But here’s the rest of the story:



As you probably figured out from the graph, the standard expression is “cut and dried,” and it has been for over two hundred thirty years. Isn’t the evolution of the English language fascinating? (Or maybe you’re saying, it’s just exasperating. If so, I get it, but we can all keep working on getting it right.)

“Cut and dried” means routine, nice and clear, or ordinary. Some synonyms include deliberate, efficient, and by the book. (Book? Buy the book? Oh, you know I couldn’t let that slip by!)

Because the etymology story of “cut and dried” isn’t actually cut and dried (ironic, right?), I don’t have a full origin tale to share here. It’s likely related to agriculture, but I invite your creativity to fill in the blanks for now. There are endless possibilities.

And—bonus tip!—if you’re using this expression as an adjective directly in front of a noun, don’t forget the addition of hyphens (e.g., What a cut-and-dry answer this is!”). If it’s not being used as an adjective directly preceding the noun, the hyphens are not necessary.

So how’d you do with this one? Did you have the right answer? Either way, now you do. Whether chili peppers, herbs, timber, meat, or English language tips, sometimes having things cut and dried is a good thing.

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Writing Tip 400: “Past Time” vs. “Pastime” (A Time Capsule)

So this is my four hundredth writing tip. Cue the confetti shaped like commas? The party horns? The shout-outs about my books and my newsletter, ready for more readers and subscribers? I admittedly thought about it, but I’ll save the hoopla for another day. With so much going on in the world at the moment, this author’s little celebration wrapped up in an explanation of “Past Time” vs. “Pastime” can wait. There are so many bigger causes to focus on.

Perhaps you could say that it’s “past time” that Merriam Webster added a new definition of “racism” to the dictionary, a landmark change that happened this week. Perhaps you could say that closely examining language, how we use it, and how it can empower us all is my favorite “pastime.” Do you see the difference in these two spellings?

Words, in all of their subtleties, matter. But you know that by now, don’t you?

Remember:

“Past time,” as two words, is often written in a sentence like “It’s past time that…” It’s a reference to something being overdo, to something that should have happened already. “Past time” could also simply be a reference to a “time” in the “past,” as in something historical.
“Pastime” is a noun, meaning something that one might do regularly in their free time.
“To pass time” is, of course, different still—because the English language likes to keep you on your toes. “To pass time” means to spend time doing something, anything, while time goes by.

The word “pastime,” as in that hobby, comes from the squishing together of “pass” and “time,” not a squishing together of “past” and “time.” Sure “squishing together” isn’t the technical phrase. You can see where the same transformation happened in “nowadays” and “troubleshoot.” We could talk truncation or near-portmanteau’s but I feel you falling asleep just as I’m jotting down this very sentence. As always, knowing the jargon is far less important than knowing how to use language properly.

“Pastime” has been used since the 15th century—that’s the 1400s, everybody. And I can only imagine how pastimes have changed since that time. So much in the world has changed since then. So much is still changing day by day in our present reality.

Am I dating this language tip like I never do in any others? That would be an affirmative. Why is this important? Because this is Writing Tip #400. Because language is important. What words and phrases mean, how they are understood, and how we discuss them are all ideas that are important. The language that trickles out of our mouths needs to be thoughtful and intentional. Ignorance is no excuse. It’s true with grammar, and it’s true with so much else.

Happy 400th writing tip, all—eight years in the making. Now get out there and use your words well. See where they might take both you and the world!

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Write It Down – A Call to Action (video)

Every single day of our lives, we are surrounded by stories, stories that empower us or devastate us, stories true, stories manipulated, and stories that are absolute fabrications. It’s true now, and it has been as long as there have been listeners captivated by a good tale.

But you know what? You can claim your stories. Capture every piece of them, from the moments of fear to the moments of awakening to the moments that drive you to action to the moments that send you back to your family and friends, hugging them tighter than ever.

Eleanor Roosevelt, Frederick Douglass, Anne Frank… so many before us have told their stories and changed the world. It’s your turn.

 

For journal prompt #10, the last in this #WriteItDown series, begin with today’s date. Then write to your future self: what can we learn from this moment in history? The past months. The past weeks. What is essential that we can never forget. There is so much to tell. There is so much that is difficult to put into words. But try. There are so many ways to respond to the world right now. Picking up your pen is just one. But it’s a start.

This may be the last prompt in this Write it Down series, but it’s only the beginning of this call to action. Write down your stories. If you feel so compelled, share them with others. Enable others to understand you so that we may understand each other. Enable future generations to understand this moment so that they can be stronger for it. And listen to the stories of others, seek out the true stories of others, because that is how we empower the world.

Stories touch us, shape us, and make us think. Brands us them, as do world leaders. It’s been true for millennia. And it’s your turn. Write it down, and be a part of the conversation.

Previous #WriteItDown journal prompts:

Prompt #1
Prompt #2
Prompt #3
Prompt #4
Prompt #5
Prompt #6
Prompt #7
Prompt #8
Prompt #9

Follow along here on my blog, on YouTube, Facebook, LinkedIn, or Twitter. Everyone has a story to add to this moment. Add your voice.

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