That's What They Say Funner, snuck, and LOL are all things that we're hearing people say these days.That's What They Say is a weekly segment on Michigan Public that explores our changing language. University of Michigan English Professor Anne Curzan studies linguistics and the history of the English language. Each week she'll discuss why we say what we say with Michigan Public All Things Considered host Rebecca Hector.That's What They Say airs Fridays at 4:45 p.m. and Sundays at 9:35 a.m. on Michigan Public and you can podcast it here.Do you have an English or grammar question? Ask us here!
That's What They Say

That's What They Say

From Michigan Public

Funner, snuck, and LOL are all things that we're hearing people say these days.That's What They Say is a weekly segment on Michigan Public that explores our changing language. University of Michigan English Professor Anne Curzan studies linguistics and the history of the English language. Each week she'll discuss why we say what we say with Michigan Public All Things Considered host Rebecca Hector.That's What They Say airs Fridays at 4:45 p.m. and Sundays at 9:35 a.m. on Michigan Public and you can podcast it here.Do you have an English or grammar question? Ask us here!

Most Recent Episodes

TWTS: The Declaration of ... Independency?

The Declaration of Independence could readily have been the Declaration of Independency.

TWTS: The Declaration of ... Independency?

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TWTS: Bereft or just lacking?

We can be bereaved, we can be bereft, and sometimes we can be both bereaved and bereft.

TWTS: Bereft or just lacking?

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TWTS: The wonky journey of "wonky"

There are a few different ways to be wonky, some of which are positive and some of which, not so much.

TWTS: The wonky journey of "wonky"

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TWTS: Not all sounds resonate

The way some people use "resonate" doesn't resonate with all of our listeners.

TWTS: Not all sounds resonate

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TWTS: If you're in hurry, you should scurry

If we’re involved in a hurry-scurry retreat or a harum-scarum dash, perhaps things are also helter-skelter.

TWTS: If you're in hurry, you should scurry

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TWTS: The right snuff

If you’re not up to snuff, you’re not up to scratch and maybe you don’t get a cigar.

TWTS: The right snuff

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TWTS: A recurring question can reoccur

This week’s question has not been a recurring one, by which we mean it has occurred once and not reoccurred.

TWTS: A recurring question can reoccur

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TWTS: For crotchety cranks who crochet

If it seems unlikely that crotchety people are related, at least etymologically, to those who do crochet, stay tuned.

TWTS: For crotchety cranks who crochet

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TWTS: The American Dialect Society's 2025 Word of the Year is...

Given how much we’re talking about AI right now, it’s no surprise that AI-related words featured prominently in this year’s word of the year vote.

TWTS: The American Dialect Society's 2025 Word of the Year is...

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TWTS: Generics

Sometimes we don’t realize that we’re using a trademarked term differently from those around us.

TWTS: Generics

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