The Common Errors in English Usage Podcast

This week we discuss more medical terms, including MRIs, EKGs, CAT scans and others; and then we proceed to some talk about food sensitivities. Subscribe on iTunes Download mp3 On Stitcher Cartoon accompaniment: Links: Buy the book! This week's calendar entry is “feint/faint.”

This week we discuss medical terms, including accessible care vs. guaranteed care; fractures, sprains, and strains; Alzheimer’s vs. dementia, and more. Subscribe on iTunes Download mp3 On Stitcher Cartoon accompaniment: Links: Buy the book! This week's calendar entry is “taunt/taut/tout.”

This week we continue our discussion of terms related to governance and politics. We explore crusades, demagogues, stump speeches, gerrymandering, and barn burners. Subscribe on iTunes Download mp3 On Stitcher Cartoon accompaniment: Links: Buy the book! This week's calendar entry is “vapid/vacuous.”

This week we continue our discussion of terms related to governance and politics. We explore citizenship, civil disobedience, and civil war. Subscribe on iTunes Download mp3 On Stitcher Cartoon accompaniment: Links: Buy the book! This week's calendar entry is “unrest.”

This week we rebroadcast our Christmas episode from 2015. In the spirit of the Christmas season, Paul Brians calls on his background as a scholar of the Bible and discusses some of the important language in the story of Christmas. Do you know the religious tradition of the Magi? The difference between miracle and magic? … Continue reading Episode 118: The Magi(c) of Christmas

When a would-be suicide bomber attempted a terrorist attack in New York City earlier this month, he said he chose his target because there were Christmas-themed posters nearby. This week on the podcast we talk about the more theoretical  war on Christmas, and we discuss holiday greetings. Subscribe on iTunes Download mp3 On Stitcher Cartoon … Continue reading Episode 117: Holiday Greetings and the War on Christmas

This week we continue our discussion of terms related to governance and politics. We explore caucuses, lobbyists and PACs, and more. Subscribe on iTunes Download mp3 On Stitcher Cartoon accompaniment: Links: Buy the book! On sale through the end of the year for just $15. This week's calendar entry is “yea/yeah/yay.”

This week we take up our discussion of terms related to governance and politics. We explore the origin of the word “veto,” talk about filibustering and reconciliation, and more. Subscribe on iTunes Download mp3 On Stitcher Cartoon accompaniment: Links: Buy the book! On sale through the end of the year for just $15. This week's … Continue reading Episode 115: Administration, Congress, What Veto Means, and Much More

This week we pick up from last week and serve some Thanksgiving leftovers, including “dolly/handcart,” “duck tape/duct tape,” “between you and me,” and many more entries and cartoons from the book. We also promote the best way to buy the book on sale through the end of the year. Subscribe on iTunes Download mp3 On … Continue reading Episode 114: More on the Book Sale, Plus Thanksgiving Leftovers—“dolly/handcart,” “duck tape/duct tape,” “between you and me,” and Lots More

This week we take a break from our extended discussion of political terms while Tom thanks Paul for creating the Common Errors in English Usage site and book, and Paul thanks Tom for contributing cartoons to the book. We also promote the best way to buy the book on sale through the end of the … Continue reading Episode 113: Giving Thanks for the Book

This week we discuss, define, and explore political leanings: red/blue, liberal, libertarian, conservative, and reactionary. Subscribe on iTunes Download mp3 On Stitcher Cartoon accompaniment: Links: Buy the book! On sale through the end of the year for just $15. This week's calendar entry is “reactionary/reactive.”

This week we discuss, define, and explore deeply more political terms. This time we cover left vs. right, socialism, and communism. Subscribe on iTunes Download mp3 On Stitcher Cartoon accompaniment: Links: Pre-USSR communist societies. Buy the book! On sale through the end of the year for just $15. This week's calendar entry is “socialize.”

This week we spend the time talking about several more terms related to politics and government, including bureaucracy, red tape, ballots, voting, constitution, and parliament. Subscribe on iTunes Download mp3 On Stitcher Cartoon accompaniment: Links: Buy the book! On sale through the end of the year for just $15. This week's calendar entry is “beauracracy/bureaucracy.”

This week we spend the time talking about the word “empire” and its implications. Subscribe on iTunes Download mp3 On Stitcher Cartoon accompaniment: Links: Buy the book! On sale through the end of the year for just $15. This week's calendar entry is “Romainian/Romanian.” Paul Brians' essay on “postcolonial literature.” “What have the Romans ever … Continue reading Episode 109: Empire and Colonies

This week we focus on the dark side of governmental power: dictatorships, state capitalism, monarchy, oligarchy, plutocracy, kleptocracy, and empire. Subscribe on iTunes Download mp3 On Stitcher Cartoon accompaniment: Links: This week's calendar entry is “oppress/repress.” Buy the book! On sale through the end of the year for just $15.

This week we focus on voting and discuss “suffrage,”“franchise,”“republic,” and more about “democracy.” Subscribe on iTunes Download mp3 On Stitcher Cartoon accompaniment: Links: This week's calendar entry is “Democrat Party/Democratic Party.” Buy the book!

This week we continue our discussion of words related to government and politics, including “feudalism,”“fiefdom,”“monarchy,” and “democracy.” Subscribe on iTunes Download mp3 On Stitcher Cartoon accompaniment: Links: This week's calendar entry is “grow.” Buy the book!

This week we begin a discussion of words related to government and politics, starting with “government” and “politics” themselves. First we go over problems with Washington, but not in the way you might think! Subscribe on iTunes Download mp3 On Stitcher Cartoon accompaniment: Links: What is the “Slough of Despond” Paul mentions? This week's calendar … Continue reading Episode 105: Government and Politics—More Than Just Words

This week we finish up our discussion of useful vocabulary related to health care, including talk about networks, pre-existing conditions, HIPA, Obamacare vs. the ACA, and primary care physicians. Subscribe on iTunes Download mp3 On Stitcher Cartoon accompaniment: Links: About “Yankee Doodle” in The New York Times. This week's calendar entry is “sick/sic.” Buy the … Continue reading Episode 104: Finishing Up Health Care Terms: Networks, HMOs, Pre-existing Conditions, HIPA, and Primary Care Physicians

This week we talk more about health care, including long-term care insurance, health savings accounts, death panels, and Charlie Gard. Subscribe on iTunes Download mp3 On Stitcher Cartoon accompaniment: Links: The New York Times' Ron Lieber on the ethics of adjusting your assets to qualify for Medicaid. This week's calendar entry is “able to.” Buy … Continue reading Episode 103: Long-term Care Insurance, Health Savings Accounts, Death Panels, and Even More on Health Care

This week we continue our discussion of health care. Unfortunately, we all need to know a whole lot of complicated and confusing terms to get through our current health care debate. Subscribe on iTunes Download mp3 On Stitcher Cartoon accompaniment: Links: This week's calendar entry is “realize/realise.” Buy the book!

This week we continue our discussion of health care. Unfortunately, we all need to know a whole lot of complicated and confusing terms to get through our current health care debate. Subscribe on iTunes Download mp3 On Stitcher Cartoon accompaniment: Links: This week's calendar entry is “tradegy/tragedy.” Buy the book!

This week, and in the coming weeks, we will discuss the vocabulary of health care. Unfortunately, we all need to know a whole lot of complicated and confusing terms to get through our current health care debate. Subscribe on iTunes Download mp3 On Stitcher Cartoon accompaniment: Links: This week's calendar entry is “boost in the … Continue reading Episode 100: More Health Care Terms to Know and Love (or at least know)

The ongoing debate on health care here in the US takes for granted that we understand deductible, co-pay, co-insurance, premium, out-of-pocket limits, and many other often-confusing terms. Since that isn't always the case, we'll be discussing the language of health care in the coming weeks. Subscribe on iTunes Download mp3 On Stitcher Cartoon accompaniment: Links: … Continue reading Episode 99: The Language of Health Care (Part 1)

Finally, after three weeks dwelling on words and expressions about idiocy, we turn our attention to some words that say smart. Subscribe on iTunes Download mp3 On Stitcher Cartoon accompaniment: Links: This week's calendar entry is “genius.” Riddley Walker Buy the book!

We've been talking about insults to the intelligence, and this week we conclude our discussion of adjectives. Subscribe on iTunes Download mp3 On Stitcher Cartoon accompaniment: Links: This week's calendar entry is “gull/gall.” Silly Symphonies on YouTube Alessandro di Cagliostro on Wikipedia From John Skelton’s 1528 volume entitled “Replycacion agaynst Certayne Yong Scolers”: As touchyng … Continue reading Episode 97: More Stupid Adjectives

We’ve been talking about insults to the intelligence, and this week we switch the focus to adjectives. Subscribe on iTunes Download mp3 On Stitcher Cartoon accompaniment: Links: This week's calendar entry is “French dip with au jus/French dip.” Entry for “hairbrained/harebrained.” Entry for “ignorant/stupid.” Buy the book!

This week continue our high-minded discussion of terms that insult the intelligence. Subscribe on iTunes Download mp3 On Stitcher Cartoon accompaniment: Links: This week's calendar entry is “ignorant/stupid.” Buy the book!

This week we discuss more words meant as insults to intelligence. Subscribe on iTunes Download mp3 On Stitcher Cartoon accompaniment: Links: This week's calendar entry is “disrespect.” Buy the book!

This week we take on some words meant as insults to intelligence and where they come from. Subscribe on iTunes Download mp3 On Stitcher Cartoon accompaniment: Links: “Trump and the True Meaning of ‘Idiot'” in The New York Times Politically correct language was discussed in episodes 34 and 35. Buy the book!  

This week we literally go back to the archives to replay our podcast on one of Paul's most popular creations, “Mr. Gradgrind's Literal Answers to Rhetorical Questions.” Subscribe on iTunes Download mp3 On Stitcher Cartoon accompaniment: Links: This week's calendar entry is “beginning of time.” Mr. Gradgrind's Literal Answers to Rhetorical Questions

It's Rose Festival time here in Portland, the City of Roses. In fact, 110 years ago, June 20–22, 1907, the first Rose Festival was held. Back then it was called the “Rose Carnival and Fiesta,” but we all know a Rose Festival by any other name would smell as sweet. Let's mark the occasion by … Continue reading Episode 91: When Is a Rose Not a Rose? (From the Archives)

You see a lot of stories about various things losing steam or picking it up. This week we rebroadcast Episode 11, in which Paul discussed his interest in that phenomenon and other aspects of the word “steam.” Subscribe on iTunes Download mp3 On Stitcher Cartoon accompaniment: Links: “Ancestor/Descendant” entry featured in the calendar this week … Continue reading Episode 90: Steam (From the Archives)

This week we take a break from usage and language to get some tips from Paul on photography. This time the focus is troubleshooting. Subscribe on iTunes Download mp3 On Stitcher Cartoon accompaniment: Links: Shined/shone entry featured in the calendar this week Previous episodes discussing photography: 61, 62, 63, 79, 80 Buy the book!

This week we conclude our discussion of antiquated disease names. Subscribe on iTunes Download mp3 On Stitcher Cartoon accompaniment: Photo of the Week: St. Catherine Links: Downfall/drawback featured in the calendar this week Inspector Clouseau requests a room Buy the book!

This week we continue to explore antiquated terms for diseases, not all of which are, unfortunately, antiquated themselves. Subscribe on iTunes Download mp3 On Stitcher Cartoon accompaniment: Links: Old English featured in the calendar this week “Adelaide's Lament” from Guys and Dolls Buy the book!  

How about another round of antiquated disease names, not all of which are all that pleasant? Subscribe on iTunes Download mp3 On Stitcher Cartoon accompaniment: Links: Buy the book!

Do you even want to listen? We talk about terms we used to use for various diseases, not all of which are entirely pleasant. You've been warned . . . Subscribe on iTunes Download mp3 On Stitcher Cartoon accompaniment: Links: Buy the book!

We conclude our discussion on contranyms, words that can mean two very different things. Subscribe on iTunes Download mp3 On Stitcher Cartoon accompaniment: Links: About Amelia Bedilia Buy the book!

We continue our discussion on contranyms, words that can mean two very different things. Subscribe on iTunes Download mp3 On Stitcher Cartoon accompaniment: Links: Buy the book!

We continue our discussion on contranyms, words that can mean two very different things. Subscribe on iTunes Download mp3 On Stitcher Cartoon accompaniment: Links: A sampling of L.M. Boyd's “factoids” Buy the book!

Words whose meanings can be contradictory—sometimes called contranyms, autoantonyms, antagonyms, or Janus words—are this week's topic. Subscribe on iTunes Download mp3 On Stitcher Cartoon accompaniment: Links: Buy the book!

This week we talk more about photography, with the focus on photographing people. Subscribe on iTunes Download mp3 On Stitcher Some of Paul's photographs of people A volunteer weed-puller working on a property protected by the Bainbridge Island Land Trust. She's watching the ivy she's pulled of a tree trunk falling. A boy and his … Continue reading Episode 80: Shooting People, Photographically

This week we take a break, as we do from time to time, from language and usage to discuss one of Paul's favorite topics: photography. Subscribe on iTunes Download mp3 On Stitcher Links: Buy the book!

On the podcast this week we discuss some more commonly confused terms, this time on the topic of religion. Subscribe on iTunes Download mp3 On Stitcher Links: Buy the book!

On the podcast this week we discuss commonly confused terms related to sex and music. Subscribe on iTunes Download mp3 On Stitcher Links: Buy the book!

On the podcast this week we continue the discussion of “lies” as a front runner for Word of the Year. In part two we talk about the the current state of presidential lying. Subscribe on iTunes Download mp3 On Stitcher Links: “Trump's Gold Lining,” by Maureen Dowd Buy the book!

On the podcast this week we discuss “lies” as a front runner for Word of the Year. In part one we talk about the history of presidential lies. Subscribe on iTunes Download mp3 On Stitcher Links: Buy the book!

This week we conclude our discussion of romanticism, talking about its lasting influence. Subscribe on iTunes Download mp3 On Stitcher Links: Paul Brians' essay on romanticism The Definitive Flash Gordon Study Guide for Nietzsche’s Thus Spoke Zarathustra, Book One The Influence of Nietzsche The Enlightenment Study Guide for Voltaire’s Philosophical Dictionary Buy the book! Puget … Continue reading Episode 74: Romancing the Podcast (Part 5)

Happy Valentine's Day! This week we continue on the topic of romanticism and spend a little extra time on romantic love. Subscribe on iTunes Download mp3 On Stitcher Links: Paul Brians' essay on romanticism Meet the Patels Buy the book!

This week we continue with our discussion of romanticism. Subscribe on iTunes Download mp3 On Stitcher Links: Paul Brians' essay on romanticism Buy the book!