Podcasts about comma queen

Chapter 1 What's Greek to Me by Mary Norris"Greek to Me: Adventures of the Comma Queen" by Mary Norris takes readers on a fascinating journey through the author's love of the Greek language and culture. Norris, known for her role as a copy editor at The New Yorker, highlights her experiences learning Greek, visiting Greece, and navigating the intricacies of language.The book is a blend of memoir, travelogue, and linguistic exploration, where Norris shares her passion for words, grammar, and the beauty of expressing oneself in different languages. She reflects on her encounters with Greek people, the significance of language in understanding culture, and the humor found in language misuse.As she recounts her adventures, Norris also delves into Greek mythology and history, weaving in anecdotes that illuminate how language shapes identity. Throughout the narrative, she humorously tackles the challenges of mastering Greek, showcasing her determination and enthusiasm in embracing the nuances of this rich language.Chapter 2 Greek to Me by Mary Norris Summary"Greek to Me: Adventures of the Comma Queen" by Mary Norris is a memoir that intertwines Norris's personal journey with her passion for the Greek language and culture. Summary: Mary Norris, known for her insightful and often humorous writing as a copy editor at The New Yorker, explores the depths of her love for the Greek language and its relevance in her life. The book is a blend of memoir, linguistic exploration, and cultural commentary. It begins with Norris recalling her childhood fascination with classical literature and the Greek language. Her experiences studying Greek in Athens reflect her desire to connect more deeply with the texts that have influenced Western thought. Throughout the pages, she shares anecdotes from her time in Greece, capturing the beauty of the landscape and the warmth of the people. Norris's narrative is rich with discussions about the nuances of Greek grammar, vocabulary, and the language's historical significance. She compares modern Greek with its ancient predecessor, delighting in the intricacies and peculiarities that often leave learners baffled. Additionally, she delves into her professional life, providing insights into the world of editing and the challenges of maintaining clarity in writing. Through her experiences, the reader gains a deeper appreciation for the intricacies of language and how it shapes communication. Overall, "Greek to Me" celebrates not just the Greek language but also the joy of learning, the thrill of adventure, and the connections forged through shared culture and words. Norris's wit and relatable storytelling make this memoir a delightful read for anyone interested in language, culture, and personal growth.Chapter 3 Greek to Me AuthorMary Norris, known for her wit and expertise in language, is the author of several acclaimed works, including the memoir "Greek to Me: Adventures of the Comma Queen," which was released on April 20, 2021. Norris has built a reputation primarily as a longtime copy editor at The New Yorker, where her insights into grammar and style have garnered a loyal following.In addition to "Greek to Me," Mary Norris has authored the book "Between You & Me: Confessions of a Comma Queen," published in 2015. This book explores language, grammar, and the quirks of English in a candid and engaging manner.Her writings stand out for their humorous and approachable style, making complex grammatical concepts accessible to a broad audience. When it comes to the best editions of her books, both "Greek to Me" and "Between You & Me" have been well-received, but the latter may be noted as particularly significant due to its deeper exploration of language and its wider recognition.Overall, Mary Norris's contributions to understanding and enjoying language are reflected in the positive...

We admire the seafaring prowess of the Polynesians and hear how a cultural faux pas led to Captain James Cook's fateful encounter with 18th-century Hawaiians. Then tour guides from Athens and Thessaloniki recommend attractions to visit in northern Greece, and The New Yorker’s "Comma Queen," Mary Norris, explains what an appreciation for Greek language and mythology can add to your own Greek odyssey. For more information on Travel with Rick Steves - including episode descriptions, program archives and related details - visit www.ricksteves.com.

This podcast is a commentary and does not contain any copyrighted material of the reference source. We strongly recommend accessing/buying the reference source at the same time. ■Reference Source https://www.ted.com/talks/mary_norris_the_nit_picking_glory_of_the_new_yorker_s_comma_queen ■Post on this topic (You can get FREE learning materials!) https://englist.me/127-academic-words-reference-from-mary-norris-the-nit-picking-glory-of-the-new-yorkers-comma-queen-ted-talk/ ■Youtube Video https://youtu.be/MGLF1eE1pcE (All Words) https://youtu.be/tO4ICBLjs9I (Advanced Words) https://youtu.be/AiasO2CZLlc (Quick Look) ■Top Page for Further Materials https://englist.me/ ■SNS (Please follow!)

From the archives: Mary Norris, author of "Between You and Me: Confessions of a Comma Queen."

Mary Norris, The New Yorker's Comma Queen and best-selling author of Between You & Me, has had a lifelong love affair with words. In Greek to Me: Adventures of the Comma Queen (Norton, 2020), she delivers a delightful paean to the art of self-expression through accounts of her solo adventures in the land of olive trees and ouzo. Along the way, Norris explains how the alphabet originated in Greece, makes the case for Athena as a feminist icon, and reveals the surprising ways in which Greek helped form English. Greek to Me is filled with Norris's memorable encounters with Greek words, Greek gods, Greek wine--and more than a few Greek men. William Domnarski is a longtime lawyer who before and during has been a literary guy, with a Ph.D. in English. He's written five books on judges, lawyers, and courts, two with Oxford, one with Illinois, one with Michigan, and one with the American Bar Association. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/language

Mary Norris, The New Yorker's Comma Queen and best-selling author of Between You & Me, has had a lifelong love affair with words. In Greek to Me: Adventures of the Comma Queen (Norton, 2020), she delivers a delightful paean to the art of self-expression through accounts of her solo adventures in the land of olive trees and ouzo. Along the way, Norris explains how the alphabet originated in Greece, makes the case for Athena as a feminist icon, and reveals the surprising ways in which Greek helped form English. Greek to Me is filled with Norris's memorable encounters with Greek words, Greek gods, Greek wine--and more than a few Greek men. William Domnarski is a longtime lawyer who before and during has been a literary guy, with a Ph.D. in English. He's written five books on judges, lawyers, and courts, two with Oxford, one with Illinois, one with Michigan, and one with the American Bar Association. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/communications

Mary Norris, The New Yorker's Comma Queen and best-selling author of Between You & Me, has had a lifelong love affair with words. In Greek to Me: Adventures of the Comma Queen (Norton, 2020), she delivers a delightful paean to the art of self-expression through accounts of her solo adventures in the land of olive trees and ouzo. Along the way, Norris explains how the alphabet originated in Greece, makes the case for Athena as a feminist icon, and reveals the surprising ways in which Greek helped form English. Greek to Me is filled with Norris's memorable encounters with Greek words, Greek gods, Greek wine--and more than a few Greek men. William Domnarski is a longtime lawyer who before and during has been a literary guy, with a Ph.D. in English. He's written five books on judges, lawyers, and courts, two with Oxford, one with Illinois, one with Michigan, and one with the American Bar Association. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mary Norris, The New Yorker's Comma Queen and best-selling author of Between You & Me, has had a lifelong love affair with words. In Greek to Me: Adventures of the Comma Queen (Norton, 2020), she delivers a delightful paean to the art of self-expression through accounts of her solo adventures in the land of olive trees and ouzo. Along the way, Norris explains how the alphabet originated in Greece, makes the case for Athena as a feminist icon, and reveals the surprising ways in which Greek helped form English. Greek to Me is filled with Norris's memorable encounters with Greek words, Greek gods, Greek wine--and more than a few Greek men. William Domnarski is a longtime lawyer who before and during has been a literary guy, with a Ph.D. in English. He's written five books on judges, lawyers, and courts, two with Oxford, one with Illinois, one with Michigan, and one with the American Bar Association. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/new-books-network

Mary Norris, The New Yorker's Comma Queen and best-selling author of Between You & Me, has had a lifelong love affair with words. In Greek to Me: Adventures of the Comma Queen (Norton, 2020), she delivers a delightful paean to the art of self-expression through accounts of her solo adventures in the land of olive trees and ouzo. Along the way, Norris explains how the alphabet originated in Greece, makes the case for Athena as a feminist icon, and reveals the surprising ways in which Greek helped form English. Greek to Me is filled with Norris's memorable encounters with Greek words, Greek gods, Greek wine--and more than a few Greek men. William Domnarski is a longtime lawyer who before and during has been a literary guy, with a Ph.D. in English. He's written five books on judges, lawyers, and courts, two with Oxford, one with Illinois, one with Michigan, and one with the American Bar Association. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/literary-studies

Mary Norris, The New Yorker's Comma Queen and best-selling author of Between You & Me, has had a lifelong love affair with words. In Greek to Me: Adventures of the Comma Queen (Norton, 2020), she delivers a delightful paean to the art of self-expression through accounts of her solo adventures in the land of olive trees and ouzo. Along the way, Norris explains how the alphabet originated in Greece, makes the case for Athena as a feminist icon, and reveals the surprising ways in which Greek helped form English. Greek to Me is filled with Norris's memorable encounters with Greek words, Greek gods, Greek wine--and more than a few Greek men. William Domnarski is a longtime lawyer who before and during has been a literary guy, with a Ph.D. in English. He's written five books on judges, lawyers, and courts, two with Oxford, one with Illinois, one with Michigan, and one with the American Bar Association. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/biography

Dialogue host Marcia Franklin talks with New Yorker editor Mary Norris about her book Between You and Me: Confessions of a Comma Queen. The two discuss grammar tips, some of her favorite writers to edit and what it's like to help hold up the editing standard at The New Yorker. Don’t forget to subscribe, and visit the Dialogue website for more conversations that matter. Originally Aired: 11/20/2015 The interview is part of Dialogue’s series “Conversations from the Sun Valley Writers' Conference” and was taped at the 2015 conference. Since 1995, the conference has been bringing together some of the world’s most well-known and illuminating authors to discuss literature and life.

Ugo Cardinalecuratore del "Festival del Classico"https://circololettori.it/https://festivaldelclassico.it/Festival del Classico ReloadedL'edizione digitale della rassegna porta i classici nella rete con lezioni, dialoghi e letture e speciali incontri riservati alle scuole. È Classico Reloaded, dedicato al tema Homo sive Natu-ra: guerra, pace, malattia nella spirale della storia.Tra gli ospiti: il filologo e storico Luciano Canfora, lo scrittore Abraham Yehoshua, le filosofe Simona Forti, Michela Marzano e Giorgia Serughetti, il filosofo Massimo Cacciari, il grecista Federico Condello. Collegate dagli Stati Uniti: Mary Norris, già copy editor del New Yorker, e la politologa, docente della Princeton University Melissa Lane (programma completo dal 16 novembre su festivaldelclassico.it)Aspettando il Festival del Classico, 5 sono i percorsi: Le parole dei classici con Matteo Nucci; il gruppo di lettura via Zoom De Rerum Natura; Che cos'è un classico?, indagine sulla defini-zione di “classico” che coinvolge scrittori, intellettuali, critici letterari e il pubblico; Piccoli classici, video-incontri per i bambini; e Classici contemporanei, ciclo su quegli autori del no-stro tempo talmente potenti da diventare subito classici. I classici alla conquista della rete: per una settimana intera sul sito, sui canali social e su canale YouTube della Fondazione Circolo dei lettori si susseguiranno lezioni, dialoghi e reading per illuminare con i pensieri di ieri la riflessione di oggi. È il Festival del Classico che si presenta nel 2020 in una veste completamente rinnovata. La 3. edizione, dal 29 novembre al 4 dicembre, vivrà una seconda vita, tutta digitale: è Festival del Classico RELOADED, rassegna che si ricarica di nuova energia per arrivare ancor più lontano, coinvolgendo una community di appassionati e curiosi davvero senza confini. Il Festival del Classico, presieduto da Luciano Canfora e curato da Ugo Cardinale, è un progetto della Fondazione Circolo dei lettori ideato nel 2017 per rintracciare un paradigma interpretativo del presente, ben ancorato alla memoria del passato ma capace di orientare il futuro. Quest'anno è dedicato al tema Homo sive Natura. Guerra, pace, malattia nella spirale della storia. Un'indagine sulla storia, quindi, ricettacolo di guerre, epidemie, conflitti, ma sempre percorsa da un anelito alla pace. Perché guerra, pace e malattia sono una triade inestricabile quando si analizza l'ambivalenza della natura umana. A esplorare il tema filosofi, filologi, storici, scienziati, letterati italiani e internazionali, perché la migrazione online offre l'opportunità di raggiungere e ascoltare grandi protagonisti della cultura internazionale, lontani ma vicini, e di espandere il raggio d'azione della Fondazione ben oltre ai suoi confini territoriali. I primi ospiti di Classico Reloaded Autori dal mondo: Abraham Yehoshua, scrittore e drammaturgo israeliano, tra le voci più importanti della contemporaneità, con la lectio dal War and peace in the jewish culture, venerdì 27 novembre, ore 18.30, aspettando il Festival del Classico. Dagli Stati Uniti, invece, precisamente dalla Princeton University nel New Jersey, si collegherà Melissa Lane, Professor of Politics e direttrice dell'University Center for Human Values. Autrice di numerose opere di divulgazione, si concentra in particolare su come le idee degli antichi, da Socrate a Platone, possano influenzare positivamente il presente, specialmente riguardo al tema della sostenibilità. Il suo intervento È possibile una repubblica ecologica oggi? è fissato domenica 29 novembre, ore 11.30. Mary Norris, collegata da New York, è invece scrittrice e copy editor del periodico di culto The New Yorker, famosa per i suoi articoli sulla scrittura e punteggiatura che le hanno fatto guadagnare il soprannome di Comma Queen. Greek to me. L'universo mitologico femminile è il tema della sua esclusiva lezione al Festival del Classico, venerdì 4 dicembre, ore 21. Domenica 29 novembre, ore 10, la lezione che approfondisce il tema della 3. edizione della rassegna, protagonista il filologo e storico Luciano Canfora, presidente onorario del Festival del Classico. Una ricognizione che dalla guerra di Troia, raccontata nell'Iliade, arriva fino a oggi. Sempre domenica, ma alle ore 16, Immunitas et Communitas: la polis nella morsa del contagio è l'attualissimo dialogo tra le filosofe Simona Forti, Michela Marzano e Giorgia Serughetti, che intrecciano il tema della solidarietà, della contrapposizione tra le generazioni, fino ad arrivare al concetto di comunità in Hannah Arendt. Anche Federico Condello specchia il passato nel presente con l'intervento Una peste che non è una peste: Edipo re, la guerra, la democrazia, mercoledì 2 dicembre ore 18. Massimo Cacciari propone invece una lectio dedicata all'Iliade, ma secondo la lettura che ne ha fatto Simone Weil: secondo la filosofa “la forza trasforma chiunque da essa venga toccato”, ed è questa l'essenza del poema omerico. Per saperne di più appuntamento mercoledì 2 dicembre, ore 21. Tutti i contenuti saranno trasmessi su festivaldelclassico.it, sul canale YouTube e sulla pagina Facebook della Fondazione Circolo dei lettori. Il programma completo è disponibile da lunedì 16 novembre. Ma in quest'anno particolare, il Festival del Classico coinvolgerà ancor più direttamente studenti e studentesse delle scuole superiori offrendo un supporto alla didattica attraverso approfondimenti online di elevato livello culturale, a integrazione del programma ministeriale, pensati esclusivamente per loro. Aspettando il Festival del Classico La rassegna comincia prima del 29 novembre, anzi è già cominciata: con il ciclo di video-lezioni a cura di Matteo Nucci, Le parole dei classici; con Che cos'è un classico?, indagine sulla definizione di “classico” che coinvolge scrittori, intellettuali, critici letterari tramite video-interventi, ma anche il pubblico di lettori e lettrici attraverso i social media, il sito circololettori.it, la newsletter e una mail dedicata, classico@circololettori.it Tra gli altri, risponderanno Silvia Avallone, Marco Missiroli e Marco Belpoliti, perché classica, per definizione, è l'opera che non smette mai di dire qualcosa. Classici contemporanei è invece un confronto con i testi di Silvio D'Arzo, Francesco Biamonti, Giorgio Bassani, Giuseppe Berto; Piccoli classici è pensato per bambini e bambine, sul canale YouTube con contenuti inediti, lezioni di filosofia e consigli di lettura per i più piccoli; e ancora il gruppo di lettura via Zoom De Rerum Natura con Matteo Stefani (per iscrizioni: info@circololettori.it). Programma completo: dal 16 novembre su festivaldelclassico.it. Il Festival del Classico è presieduto da Luciano Canfora e curato da Ugo Cardinale. È un progetto della Fondazione Circolo dei lettori, realizzato con il sostegno di Regione Piemonte e Fondazione CRT. IL POSTO DELLE PAROLEascoltare fa pensarehttps://ilpostodelleparole.it/

Meet Mary Norris, author of 'Greek to Me: Adventures of the Comma Queen'. You'll discover powerful tips on how to finish writing your book. Plus, we have 3 copies of 'Across the Water' by AWC alumna Ingrid Alexandra to give away.  Read the show notes Connect with Valerie, Allison and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | AllisonTait.com | ValerieKhoo.com

Weekly JourneywithJesus.net postings, read by Debie Thomas. Essay by Debie Thomas: *I Am the Gate* for Sunday, 3 May 2020; book review by Dan Clendenin: *Greek to Me: Adventures of the Comma Queen* by Mary Norris (2019); film review by Dan Clendenin: *Building the Great Cathedrals* (2010); poem selected by Dan Clendenin: *The Peace of Wild Things* by Wendell Berry.

Bibliocracy Radio is back after KPFK’s fund drive, celebrating community support for smart books and lively conversation with a show featuring The Comma Queen, Sunday, 5 PM on 90.7 FM. Her life and life-work, passion for others’ writing and, lately, her own celebrated writing, have indeed made Mary Norris literary royalty.  As The Comma Queen, […]

April 23, 2019 at the Boston Athenæum. In her New York Times best-selling Between You & Me, Mary Norris delighted readers with her irreverent tales of pencils, punctuation, and punctiliousness over three decades in The New Yorker’s celebrated copy department. In Greek to Me, she delivers another wise and witty paean to the art of expressing oneself clearly and convincingly, this time filtered through her greatest passion: all things Greek. From convincing her New Yorker bosses to pay for Ancient Greek studies to traveling the sacred way in search of Persephone, Greek to Me is an unforgettable account of both her lifelong love affair with words and her solo adventures in the land of olive trees and ouzo. Along the way, Norris explains how the alphabet originated in Greece, makes the case for Athena as a feminist icon, and reveals the surprising ways Greek helped form English. Filled with Norris’s memorable encounters with Greek words, Greek gods, Greek wine—and more than a few Greek waiters—Greek to Me is the Comma Queen’s fresh take on Greece and the exotic yet strangely familiar language that so deeply influences our own.

Mary Norris’ New York Times bestseller Between You & Me: Confessions of a Comma Queen gives an account of the author’s years in The New Yorker’s copy department. Now she returns with Greek to Me: Adventures of the Comma Queen, a witty romp around language, love, and the crystalline Greek coast, along which she adventured. She speaks with Adam Dudding. Supported by Platinum Bold Patrons Josephine & Ross Green.

Few of us are aware of the extent to which the Greek language has influenced English. Fortunately, lauded New Yorker writer Mary Norris has a passion for all things Greek. She joined us to share excerpts from her book Greek to Me, drawing on a lifelong love affair with words and her solo adventures in the land of olive trees and ouzo. In conversation with Town Hall’s own Curator of Lectures, Edward Wolcher, Norris explained how the alphabet originated in Greece, makes the case for Athena as a feminist icon, recounts her search for the fabled Baths of Aphrodite, and revealed the surprising ways Greek helped form English. Join Norris for a linguaphile’s fresh take on Greece—and on the exotic yet strangely familiar language that so deeply influences our own. Mary Norris (aka the Comma Queen) is the author of Greek to Me and the New York Times bestsellerBetween You & Me, an account of her years in The New Yorker copy department, where she has been a contributor since 1978. Recorded live at Town Hall Seattle on May 1, 2019. 

Episode Seventy Five Show Notes CW = Chris WolakEF = Emily FinePurchase Book Cougars Swag on Zazzle! AND at Bookclub Bookstore & More.If you’d like to help financially support the Book Cougars, please consider becoming a Patreon member. You can DONATE HERE. If you would prefer to donate directly to us, please email bookcougars@gmail.com for instructions.Join our Goodreads Group! Please subscribe to our email newsletter here.– Upcoming Readalongs –We are hosting co-reads in June 2019 with Jenny Colvin of the Reading Envy Podcast. More details are forthcoming, but the books are:Gone with the Wind – Margaret MitchellThe Goodreads discussion page can be found HERESapphira and the Slave Girl by Willa CatherThe Goodreads discussion page can be found HERE– Currently Reading –Where the Crawdads Sing – Delia Owens (CW)The Lost Family – Jenna Blum (EF)Gone with the Wind – Margaret Mitchell (EF) – Just Read –The Jewel Garden: A Story of Despair and Redemption – Monty Don, Sarah Don (CW)The World That We Knew: A Novel – Alice Hoffman (EF) (release date 9/24/19)The Museum of Modern Love – Heather Rose (CW)gods with a little g: A Novel – Tupelo Hassman (EF) (release date 8/13/19)Keep Going: 10 Ways to Stay Creative in Good Times and Bad – Austin Kleon (CW)If Beale Street Could Talk – James Baldwin (EF)A Lost Lady – Willa Cather (CW)The Marriage of Phaedra – Willa Cather (CW) which is part of the Willa Cather Short Story Project– Biblio Adventures –Emily watched the movie If Beale Street Could TalkChris attended an event co-sponsored by Bank Square Books and the Lagrua Center where Mary Norris discussed her new book Greek to Me: Adventures of the Comma Queen. Check out this article about Mary’s apartment in New York City.Emily went to RJ Julia Booksellers to hear Patricia Marx and Roz Chast discuss their book Why Don’t You Write My Eulogy Now So I Can Correct It?: A Mother’s SuggestionsEmily visited Tennessee and North Carolina and caught up with author, Shuly Cawood. She has appeared on two episodes of the podcast:Episode 22 – where she discussed her memoir, The Going and GoodbyeEpisode 64 – the book launch of 52 Things I wish I Could Have Told Myself When I Was 17They spent a day in Jonesborough, TN visiting the Jonesborough Public Library and the International Storytelling Center (check out their festival October 4-6, 2019). They also shopped at Mr. K’s Used Books, Music, and More.Chris and Emily had a joint jaunt to hear Delia Owens discuss her book, Where the Crawdads Sing, sponsored by RJ Julia Booksellers but located at The Country School, in Madison, CT.Other Books by Delia Owens:Cry of the KalahariSecrets of the SavannaThe Eye of the ElephantSurvivor’s SongBooks recommended by Delia Owens:To Kill a Mockingbird – Harper LeeA Sand County Almanac – Aldo LeopoldWest with the Night – Beryl Markham– Upcoming Jaunts –This weekend, Laura Thoma, playwright, has a play, Meet Me in the Lobby, appearing in the Norwalk Theatre Artists Workshop festival April 26-29, 2019. Laura was on Episode 19 and Episode 66.Emily will be attending the Newburyport Literary Festival on April 26-27, 2019Booktopia 2019 at Northshire Bookstore in Manchester, VT is taking place May 3-4, 2019Chris and Emily will be attending Book Expo America May 29-31, 2019– Upcoming Reads –Lost Laysen – Margaret Mitchell (CW)Gone With the Wind – Margaret Mitchell (CW)The Givers: Wealth, Power, and Philanthropy in a New Gilded Age – David Callahan (EF)The Moment of Lift: How Empowering Women Changes the World – Melinda Gates (EF)– Also Mentioned –Check out Alice Hoffman’s website for her backlistGirlchild by Tupelo HassmanMel’s Bookland AdventuresThe Stella PrizeMarina Abramovic InstituteSteal Like an Artist: 10 Things Nobody Told You About Being Creative – Austin Kleon (CW)Documentary about James Baldwin: I Am Not Your Negro Between You & Me: Confessions of a Comma Queen – Mary Norris Lonesome Dove – Larry McMurtryRussell of Ink and Paper Booktube Channel

After a career of carefully editing so many accomplished writers, language and punctuation remain a joy to Marry Norris, renowned New Yorker Copy Editor. Her first book, “Between You and Me: Confessions of AComma Queen,”was nominated for a Thurber Prize for American Humor.In her follow up,“Greek To Me: Adventures of The Comma Queen,” Norris shares her love for the Greek language, culture and land.

Tim Slover of the University of Utah on lessons from a Hobbit on how to be a hero. Mary Norris, author of “Greek to Me: Adventures of the Comma Queen” on being the New Yorker's Comma Queen and her Greek obsession.

''A rollicking adventure into the origins of the apostrophe, the proliferation of profanity in American culture, and everything in between'' (San Francisco Chronicle), Mary Norris's bestselling Between You and Me: Confessions of a Comma Queen was a raucous, cheery memoir about grammar, usage, and practical life advice gleaned from her three decades in The New Yorker's venerable and notoriously fastidious copy department. Her latest book is another paean to language and expression. In Greek to Me, Norris celebrates all things Greek-words, gods, wine, and waiters-as she offers a hot take on the distant but oddly familiar language that helped beget our own. (recorded 4/15/2019)

Episode Seventy Four Show Notes CW = Chris WolakEF = Emily FinePurchase Book Cougars Swag on Zazzle! AND at Bookclub Bookstore & More.If you’d like to help financially support the Book Cougars, please consider becoming a Patreon member. You can DONATE HERE. If you would prefer to donate directly to us, please email bookcougars@gmail.com for instructions.Join our Goodreads Group! Please subscribe to our email newsletter here.– Upcoming Readalong –We are hosting co-reads in June 2019 with Jenny Colvin of the Reading Envy Podcast. More details are forthcoming, but the books are:Gone with the Wind – Margaret MitchellSapphira and the Slave Girl by Willa CatherThe Goodreads discussion page can be found HERE– Currently Reading –The World That We Knew: A Novel – Alice Hoffman (EF) (release dateA Vindication of the Rights of Women – Mary Wollstonecraft (CW)Click HERE for the readalong with Great Book StudyWelcome to the Writer’s Life: How to Design Your Writing Craft, Writing Business, Writing Practice, and Reading Practice - Paulette Perhach (CW)From A Whisper to A Riot: The Gay Writers Who Crafted an American Literary Tradition – Adam W. Burgess (CW)The Jewel Garden: A Story of Despair and Redemption – Monty Don (CW)– Just Read –Fascism: A Warning – Madeline Albright (CW) (audio)The Shortest Way Home – Miriam Parker (EF)Chris dnf’d Transcription – Kate Atkinson (CW)Tell Me How it Ends: An Essay in Forty Questions – Valeria Luiselli (EF)The Marriage of Phaedra – Willa Cather which is part of the Willa Cather Short Story ProjectHeavy: An American Memoir – Kiese Laymon (EF) (audio)– Biblio Adventures –Chris and Emily went to the 92nd St Y to see Barbara Kingsolver and Richard Powers discuss their books Unsheltered and The OverstoryChris watched A Discovery of Witches based on the All Souls Trilogy by Deborah HarknessEmily took a trip to Philadelphia and visited the University of Pennsylvania Bookstore and Penn BookCenter and also took a picture of the Curtis Publishing Company building. She also had dinner at Zahav and flipped through a copy of Michael Solomonov’s new cookbook, Zahav: A World of Israeli Cooking. Click HERE to read the article about Solomonov in the NY Times.– Upcoming Jaunts –4/18/2019 – The Willa Cather Bookclub will discuss A Lost Lady at 2pm at Bookclub Bookstore & More.4/18/2019 – Bank Square Books and the Lagrua Center are co-hosting Mary Norris to discuss her book Greek to Me: Adventures of the Comma Queen.4/23/2019 – Patricia Marx and Roz Chast will be visiting RJ Julia Booksellers to discuss their book Why Don’t You Write My Eulogy Now So I Can Correct It?: A Mother’s Suggestions. Click HERE to read the article about them in the NY Times.4/24/2019 – Delia Owens will be visiting RJ Julia Booksellers to discuss her book Where the Crawdads Sing. Note: The event is sold out.4/24/2019 – Dr. Carla Hayden in conversation with Tracy K Smith at the Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture.Tracy K. Smith is the poet Laureate of the United States and has a wonderful podcast, The Slowdown, where she reads a poem each day.5/30-6/1/2019 – 64th Annual Willa Cather Spring Conference6/17-6/21/2019 – The 17th Annual Willa Cather Seminar– Upcoming Reads –A Lost Lady – Willa Cather (CW)Gone With the Wind – Margaret Mitchell (CW)Sapphira and the Slave Girl– Willa Cather (CW)If Beale Street Could Talk – James Baldwin (EF)Lights All Night Long – Lydia Fitzpatrick (EF)– Also Mentioned –Faithful – Alice HoffmanRiff Raff Bookstore in Providence, RILost Children Archive – Valeria LuiselliThe Poisonwood Bible – Barbara KingsolverWhite Dog CafeThe Impossible Fortress – Jason RekulakTo find the poetry videos from the Book Cougars April 2018 National Poetry Month Celebration head to our YouTube page.Check out Ryan Ludman on Instagram

New Yorker magazine writer and proofreader Mary Norris shares stories of her common grammar enthusiasm and national heritage with Eric in, “Greek to Me: Adventures of the Comma Queen.”See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Good afternoon everyone and welcome to another edition of the Avid Reader . Today our guest is Mary Norris, author of this her second book Greek to Me: Adventures of the Comma Queen, published April 2 by Norton. Her first of course was Between You And Me: Confessions Of A Comma Queen back in 2015, the first time she and I spoke together. Mary began working at the New Yorker in 1978 (although we learn a lot about her life prior to that) and was a query proofreader at the magazine for 24 years. She is best known for her pieces on pencils and punctuation and also introduced me to Blackwing 602s. Oh—I almost forgot—Mary will be speaking and reading at the Free Library downtown on April 15th at 7:30. For more information on this you can go to our website WSB or freelibrary.org. Greek To Me is a book that takes the form of an interior and exterior journey. Mary tells us about her childhood, her parents, her initial love of language and primarily, as it should be, Greek. As her passion and fascination with the language and the land grows, we find ourselves drawn in, not only to the travelogue aspect of this book, but to the history of a language, its vagaries and its hidden presence in our everyday lives. Plus there is a lot of ouzo in this book and who could argue with that?

Good afternoon everyone and welcome to another edition of the Avid Reader . Today our guest is Mary Norris, author of this her second book Greek to Me: Adventures of the Comma Queen, published April 2 by Norton. Her first of course was Between You And Me: Confessions Of A Comma Queen back in 2015, the first time she and I spoke together. Mary began working at the New Yorker in 1978 (although we learn a lot about her life prior to that) and was a query proofreader at the magazine for 24 years. She is best known for her pieces on pencils and punctuation and also introduced me to Blackwing 602s. Oh—I almost forgot—Mary will be speaking and reading at the Free Library downtown on April 15th at 7:30. For more information on this you can go to our website WSB or freelibrary.org. Greek To Me is a book that takes the form of an interior and exterior journey. Mary tells us about her childhood, her parents, her initial love of language and primarily, as it should be, Greek. As her passion and fascination with the language and the land grows, we find ourselves drawn in, not only to the travelogue aspect of this book, but to the history of a language, its vagaries and its hidden presence in our everyday lives. Plus there is a lot of ouzo in this book and who could argue with that?

This week, Liberty and Rebecca discuss Women Talking, The Affairs of the Falcóns, Finding My Voice, and more great books. This episode was sponsored by I Can't Believe It's Not Butter!; Once and Future by Cori McCarthy and Amy Rose Capetta from JIMMY Patterson Books; and The Things We Cannot Say by Kelly Rimmer from Graydon House Books. Pick up an All the Books! 200th episode commemorative item here. And check out our new podcast: KidLit These Days. Subscribe to All the Books! using RSS or iTunes and never miss a beat book. Sign up for the weekly New Books! newsletter for even more new book news. Books discussed on the show: I Miss You When I Blink: Essays by Mary Laura Philpott  Maybe You Should Talk to Someone: A Therapist, HER Therapist, and Our Lives Revealed by Lori Gottlieb The Affairs of the Falcóns by Melissa Rivero  No Happy Endings: A Memoir by Nora McInerny Women Talking by Miriam Toews  Finding My Voice: My Journey to the West Wing and the Path Forward by Valerie Jarrett The Devouring Gray by Christine Lynn Herman  Coders: The Making of a New Tribe and the Remaking of the World by Clive Thompson Daisy Jones & the Six by Taylor Jenkins Reid This Is What It Feels Like by Rebecca Barrow What we're reading: Calvin: A Novel by Martine Leavitt  Dreyer's English: An Utterly Correct Guide to Clarity and Style by Benjamin Dreyer At Briarwood School for Girls by Michael Knight  More books out this week: Meander, Spiral, Explode: Design and Pattern in Narrative by Jane Alison  Another Planet: A Teenager in Suburbia by Tracey Thorn Prince of Monkeys by Nnamdi Ehirim Around Harvard Square by C. J. Farley Baseball Epic: Famous and Forgotten Lives of the Dead Ball Era by Jason Novak As One Fire Consumes Another by John Sibley Williams Gatsby's Oxford: Scott, Zelda, and the Jazz Age Invasion of Britain: 1904-1929 by Christopher A. Snyder Hold Fast Your Crown: A Novel by Yannick Haenel, Teresa Fagan (translator) Days by Moonlight by André Alexis  Oscar Wilde and the Return of Jack the Ripper: An Oscar Wilde Mystery (Oscar Wilde Mysteries) by Gyles Brandreth Ghost Stories: Classic Tales of Horror and Suspense by Leslie S. Klinger and Lisa Morton A Sin by Any Other Name: Reckoning with Racism and the Heritage of the South by Robert W. Lee and Bernice A. King Beyond the Point: A Novel by Claire Gibson Serving the Servant: Remembering Kurt Cobain by Danny Goldberg  Since We Last Spoke by Brenda Rufener To Stop a Warlord: My Story of Justice, Grace, and the Fight for Peace by Shannon Sedgwick Davis Woman of Color by LaTonya Yvette Lights! Camera! Puzzles!: A Puzzle Lady Mystery (Puzzle Lady Mysteries) by Parnell Hall The Buddha Sat Right Here: A Family Odyssey Through India and Nepal by Dena Moes Leaving Richard's Valley by Michael DeForge  Little Lovely Things: A Novel by Maureen Joyce Connolly Ye by Guilherme Petreca The Spectators: A Novel by Jennifer duBois The Deadly Kiss-Off by Paul Di Filippo The Luminous Dead: A Novel by Caitlin Starling  The Editor by Steven Rowley There's a Word for That by Sloane Tanen The Light Years: A Memoir by Chris Rush We Rule the Night by Claire Eliza Bartlett Greystone Secrets 1: The Strangers by Margaret Peterson Haddix and Anne Lambelet Lost and Wanted: A novel by Nell Freudenberger  When a Duchess Says I Do by Grace Burrowes Orange for the Sunsets by Tina Athaide A Wonderful Stroke of Luck: A Novel by Ann Beattie Stay Up with Hugo Best: A Novel by Erin Somers  The Execution of Justice (Pushkin Vertigo) by Friedrich Duerrematt, John E. Woods (Translator) The Girl He Used to Know by Tracey Garvis Graves Lights All Night Long: A Novel by Lydia Fitzpatrick Soft Science by Franny Choi The Last Last-Day-of-Summer by Lamar Giles Sabrina & Corina: Stories by Kali Fajardo-Anstine I'm Writing You from Tehran: A Granddaughter's Search for Her Family's Past and Their Country's Future by Delphine Minoui, Emma Ramadan (Translator) The Gulf by Belle Boggs Loch of the Dead: A Novel by Oscar de Muriel Wicked Saints by Emily Duncan The Princess and the Fangirl: A Geekerella Fairytale (Once Upon A Con) by Ashley Poston Brute: Poems by Emily Skaja  Germaine: The Life of Germaine Greer by Elizabeth Kleinhenz Bluff by Jane Stanton Hitchcock The Mission of a Lifetime: Lessons from the Men Who Went to the Moon by Basil Hero Boy Swallows Universe: A Novel by Trent Dalton  A Song for the Stars by Ilima Todd Mother Is a Verb: An Unconventional History by Sarah Knott American Spirit: Profiles in Resilience, Courage, and Faith by Taya Kyle and Jim DeFelice Greek to Me: Adventures of the Comma Queen by Mary Norris Crossing: A Novel by Pajtim Statovci, David Hackston (translator) The Field Guide to Dumb Birds of North America by Matt Kracht  The Honey Bus: A Memoir of Loss, Courage and a Girl Saved by Bees by Meredith May Women's Work: A Reckoning with Work and Home by Megan K. Stack The Body Papers by Grace Talusan  The Tradition by Jericho Brown All Ships Follow Me: A Family Memoir of War Across Three Continents by Mieke Eerkens Geek Girls Don't Cry: Real-Life Lessons From Fictional Female Characters by Andrea Towers and Marisha Ray Save Me the Plums: My Gourmet Memoir by Ruth Reichl The Killer in Me: A Novel by Olivia Kiernan Native Country of the Heart: A Memoir by Cherríe Moraga Fifty Things That Aren't My Fault: Essays from the Grown-up Years by Cathy Guisewite Radical Suburbs: Experimental Living on the Fringes of the American City by Amanda Kolson Hurley Why Don't You Write My Eulogy Now So I Can Correct It?: A Mother's Suggestions by Patricia Marx and Roz Chast You'd Be Mine: A Novel by Erin Hahn The Becket List: A Blackberry Farm Story by Adele Griffin and LeUyen Pham Unscripted by Claire Handscombe The Undefeated by Kwame Alexander and Kadir Nelson The Poison Bed: A Novel by Elizabeth Fremantle This One Looks Like a Boy: My Gender Journey to Life as a Man by Lorimer Shenher The October Man by Ben Aaronovitch Perfunctory Affection by Kim Harrison  

On this episode: Mary Norris, the comma queen, calls in to talk beer and pencils with the DDD gang. She also introduces us to the seedy Twitter underbelly of double spacers and answers a listener question about ellipses… Links: Between You & Me: Confessions of a Comma Queen

The Drunk Word Nerds took a break from recording last week because everyone was too sad to laugh about grammar (sorry). But here's a classic episode from our vaults. We discuss all things comma, including Linda's love of the serial comma — perfectly timed to get you pumped for next week's all-new episode when the Comma Queen, Mary Norris, joins the gang for a chat.

Mary Norris has spent more than three decades in The New Yorker's copy department, maintaining its celebrated high standards. Now she brings her vast experience, good cheer, and finely sharpened pencils to Shakespeare and Company.

Remember back when people would stay at a company long enough to get a gold watch, a time before entitled millennials decided they didn't feel like working at the same boring job for their entire career? Those were the good old days, right? Wrong. This week, Francesca and Rebecca challenge the conventional wisdom that America's favorite generation doesn't have its life on track. The demise of the traditional career path might have more to do with student debt and the changing corporate priorities than a personality trait of an entire generation of workers. Plus, older folks have also taken circuitous routes to career success. This week's guest, Mary Norris, has the resume of a hipster: Milk truck driver, costume shop clerk, cheese factory worker and web series hostess with a cult following. But she's no millennial. Since 1978, Norris has been with the New Yorker magazine, where she's a respected copy editor and host of the web series Comma Queen. While she eventually settled down, she took her own sweet, not always logical time getting to where she is today.

Ever try to write a well-known passage in limerick form? It's harder than you think. How about this one:  "There once was a lady who's sure / All that glitters is golden and pure/ There's a stairway that heads up to heaven, it's said / And the cost of the thing she'll incur." Plus, the diacritical mark that readers of The New Yorker magazine find most annoying. And how do you really pronounce the name of that big city in Southern California--the one also known as the "City of Angels"? Also, clopening, Z vs. Zed, seeding a tournament, the wee man and Old Scratch, and a word game based on the novels of Charles Dickens. FULL DETAILS What do readers of The New Yorker complain about most when they write letters to the editor? Those two dots above vowels in words like cooperate and reelect. The diaeresis, as those marks are known, has remained in use at the magazine ever since the copy editor who planned on nixing it died in 1978, and the whole saga is chronicled in fellow New Yorker copy editor Mary Norris's new memoir, Between You & Me: Confessions of a Comma Queen. March Madness is over, but the confusion lingers as to why teams are seeded in tournament brackets. The best theory is that brackets resemble sideways trees, and the teams are spread out evenly so the best can prosper—just like a in a garden. A Southernism we love: You might as well go out and let the moon shine down your throat. It means you're taking medicine that won't be effective or eating something flavorless. Not to be confused with pouring moonshine down your throat, which would be both flavorful and effective. Americans pronounce the letter Z like "zee," while those in other English-speaking countries say "zed." That's because Noah Webster proposed lots of Americanized pronunciations and this is one of the few that stuck. David Sacks' book Letter Perfect is a great resource for more on our alphabet. Baristas and retail workers are all too familiar with the dreaded clopen shift. You're assigned to close the shop one night, then turn around and work the opening shift early the next morning. Quiz Guy John Chaneski has a game about Dirkens novels—that is, Dickens novels with one letter in the title changed. For example, what's the Dirkens novel about a domicile where tired orphans can take some time off work, or a shorter Dirkens novel that's just a listing of garnishes in cocktails? A longstanding injunction against mentioning the devil by name is the reason why terms like Old Ned, Old Billy, and Old Scratch have come to be euphemisms for his unholiness. Bonspiel is a word for a curling match, and derives from the Dutch term spiel, meaning "game." Saying I feel, instead of saying I think or I suppose, is both prevalent and controversial, particularly among women. A Stanford study found that prefacing a sentence with I feel, instead of I think, is more likely to get others to really listen. A favorite quotation from highly quotable Terry Pratchett: Fantasy is an exercise bicycle for the mind. It might not take you anywhere, but it tones up the muscles that can. Of course, I could be wrong. If you're looking for an alternative version of Hamlet's soliloquies, a member of our Facebook group has been turning famous passages from literature into limerick form with entertaining results. Los Angeles, though founded by Spanish speakers, was very, very Anglo by the early 20th century. The "original" pronunciation of Los Angeles has been muddied for a long time. Our lord of the literary limerick on our Facebook group doesn't stop with plays and novels. He also remixed song lyrics, like in this rendition of Stairway to Heaven. When Scots use the term wee man, they're referring to the devil. The Dictionary of the Scots Language is a fantastic and free resource for all terms Scottish, including blethering skite or bladderskate, which is a great thing to call a chatty rascal. The German idiom, Ich bin fast im Dreieck gesprungen! is a way of indicating that you're outraged. Literally, though, it means "I almost jumped in triangles." One listener's term, tee-ella-berta, is among hundreds of euphemisms for the derriere, including tee-hiney, tee-hineyboo, and tee-hinder. This episode was hosted by Martha Barnette and Grant Barrett. -- A Way with Words is funded by its listeners: http://waywordradio.org/donate Get your language question answered on the air! Call or write with your questions at any time: Email: words@waywordradio.org Phone: United States and Canada toll-free (877) WAY-WORD/(877) 929-9673 London +44 20 7193 2113 Mexico City +52 55 8421 9771 Donate: http://waywordradio.org/donate Site: http://waywordradio.org/ Podcast: http://waywordradio.org/podcast/ Forums: http://waywordradio.org/discussion/ Newsletter: http://waywordradio.org/newsletter/ Twitter: http://twitter.com/wayword/ Skype: skype://waywordradio Copyright 2016, Wayword LLC.

“You're too tall, you're too short, you're too pretty, you're too ugly, you're too young, you're too old, your hair is too blonde, your hair isn't blonde enough, your eyes are too blue, your eyes need to be brown, you have too much experience, you're not experienced enough.” No matter who you are, you will face rejection in life so it's time to embrace it and move forward. Asya Gonzalex hosts the program beginning with chapter, The Gift of Rejection” by Cynthia Brian from the book Be the Star You Are!® for Teens followed by a lively conversation with The New Yorker copy editor, Mary Norris. Norris expertly guides readers through the most common and confusing grammatical issues in her book, Between You and Me, Confessions of a Comma Queen. She reveals her rejections throughout her career and why it's important to keep on keeping on. An informative and fun interaction with two women who love words and repel rejection.

“You're too tall, you're too short, you're too pretty, you're too ugly, you're too young, you're too old, your hair is too blonde, your hair isn't blonde enough, your eyes are too blue, your eyes need to be brown, you have too much experience, you're not experienced enough.” No matter who you are, you will face rejection in life so it's time to embrace it and move forward. Asya Gonzalex hosts the program beginning with chapter, The Gift of Rejection” by Cynthia Brian from the book Be the Star You Are!® for Teens followed by a lively conversation with The New Yorker copy editor, Mary Norris. Norris expertly guides readers through the most common and confusing grammatical issues in her book, Between You and Me, Confessions of a Comma Queen. She reveals her rejections throughout her career and why it's important to keep on keeping on. An informative and fun interaction with two women who love words and repel rejection.

Mary Norris tells me she prefers to be called a Prose Goddess.  But Comma Queen has stuck.  Norris, a copy editor at The New Yorker for more than 30 years, is author of Between You & Me: Confessions of a Comma Queen – just out in paperback.  Mary Norris -- with her wonderful sense of humor – helps make us feel more secure in our use of language.  She demystifies fine points of grammar and punctuation.  She liberates us to break rules that were never really rules to begin with.  Her journey -- from a teenager hired to check swimmers for foot-fungus at a public pool in Cleveland -- to published author -- is worth sharing.  So is her experience, recounted 23:30 into our conversation, of learning that her brother was becoming her sister (a singer/songwriter known by many New Yorkers) – which leads us back to grammar and the debate over the correct pronoun for transgendered individuals.  

Mary Norris tells me she prefers to be called a Prose Goddess.  But Comma Queen has stuck.  Norris, a copy editor at The New Yorker for more than 30 years, is author of Between You & Me: Confessions of a Comma Queen – just out in paperback.  Mary Norris -- with her wonderful sense of humor – helps make us feel more secure in our use of language.  She demystifies fine points of grammar and punctuation.  She liberates us to break rules that were never really rules to begin with.  Her journey -- from a teenager hired to check swimmers for foot-fungus at a public pool in Cleveland -- to published author -- is worth sharing.  So is her experience, recounted 23:30 into our conversation, of learning that her brother was becoming her sister (a singer/songwriter known by many New Yorkers) – which leads us back to grammar and the debate over the correct pronoun for transgendered individuals.  

"Copy editing for The New Yorker is like playing shortstop for a Major League Baseball team -- every little movement gets picked over by the critics," says Mary Norris, who has played the position for more than thirty years. In that time, she's gotten a reputation for sternness and for being a "comma maniac," but this is unfounded, she says. Above all, her work is aimed at one thing: making authors look good. Explore The New Yorker's distinctive style with the person who knows it best in this charming talk.

“뉴요커의 카피 에디터는 메이저리그 야구의 유격수와 같은 역할을 합니다. 조금만 움직여도 비평가들이 가만두지 않죠.” 30년 이상 뉴요커 지(The New Yorker) 의 카피 에디터 일을 해 온 메리 노리스의 이야기 입니다. 이 기간 동안 쉼표에 미쳤다는 소리를 들을 정도로 엄격하다는 평판을 얻었지만, 메리는 근거 없는 이야기라고 합니다. 무엇보다도 메리의 일이 중점을 두는 것은 하나입니다. 글쓴이들을 돋보이게 하는 것이죠. 뉴요커의 독특한 스타일을 가장 잘 아는 사람과 함께 이 매력적인 이야기를 탐험 해 볼까요.

To plot or not to plot, self-publishing and the difference between mentors and coaches. Advice for blogging authors including how to blog about your book without giving too much away and why blogging is important. Plus, the book "Between You & Me, Confessions of a Comma Queen" by Mary Norris. We chat with Graeme Simsion on his success since writing “The Rosie Project”. Also: the Ulysses writing app for iPhone and more! Read the show notes.  Connect with Valerie, Allison and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | AllisonTait.com | ValerieKhoo.com

Weekly JourneywithJesus.net postings, read by Dan Clendenin. Essay by Dan Clendenin: *Called By a New Name* for Sunday, 17 January 2016; book review by Dan Clendenin: *Between You and Me; Confessions of a Comma Queen* by Mary Norris (2015); film review by Dan Clendenin: *Timbuktu* (2014, Mauritania); poem selected by Dan Clendenin: *Dreams* by Langston Hughes.

Our guest on Tuesday's AU is Mary Norris, who has spent more than three decades in The New Yorker's copy department. She's out with a new book "Between You & Me: Confessions of a Comma Queen" in which she addresses some of the most common and vexing problems in spelling, punctuation, and usage―comma faults, danglers, "who" vs. "whom," "that" vs. "which," compound words, gender-neutral language―and explains how to handle them.

Ever try to write a well-known passage in limerick form? It's harder than you think. How about this one:  "There once was a lady who's sure / All that glitters is golden and pure/ There's a stairway that heads up to heaven, it's said / And the cost of the thing she'll incur." Plus, the diacritical mark that readers of The New Yorker magazine find most annoying. And how do you really pronounce the name of that big city in Southern California--the one also known as the "City of Angels"? Also, clopening, Z vs. Zed, seeding a tournament, the wee man and Old Scratch, and a word game based on the novels of Charles Dickens.FULL DETAILSWhat do readers of The New Yorker complain about most when they write letters to the editor? Those two dots above vowels in words like cooperate and reelect. The diaeresis, as those marks are known, has remained in use at the magazine ever since the copy editor who planned on nixing it died in 1978, and the whole saga is chronicled in fellow New Yorker copy editor Mary Norris's new memoir, Between You & Me: Confessions of a Comma Queen.March Madness is over, but the confusion lingers as to why teams are seeded in tournament brackets. The best theory is that brackets resemble sideways trees, and the teams are spread out evenly so the best can prosper—just like a in a garden.A Southernism we love: You might as well go out and let the moon shine down your throat. It means you're taking medicine that won't be effective or eating something flavorless. Not to be confused with pouring moonshine down your throat, which would be both flavorful and 4Americans pronounce the letter Z like "zee," while those in other English-speaking countries say "zed." That's because Noah Webster proposed lots of Americanized pronunciations and this is one of the few that stuck. David Sacks' book Letter Perfect is a great resource for more on our alphabet.Baristas and retail workers are all too familiar with the dreaded clopen shift. You're assigned to close the shop one night, then turn around and work the opening shift early the next morning.Quiz Guy John Chaneski has a game about Dirkens novels—that is, Dickens novels with one letter in the title changed. For example, what's the Dirkens novel about a domicile where tired orphans can take some time off work, or a shorter Dirkens novel that's just a listing of garnishes in cocktails?A longstanding injunction against mentioning the devil by name is the reason why terms like Old Ned, Old Billy, and Old Scratch have come to be euphemisms for his unholiness.Bonspiel is a word for a curling match, and derives from the Dutch term spiel, meaning "game."Saying I feel, instead of saying I think or I suppose, is both prevalent and controversial, particularly among women. A Stanford study found that prefacing a sentence with I feel, instead of I think, is more likely to get others to really listen.A favorite quotation from highly quotable Terry Pratchett: Fantasy is an exercise bicycle for the mind. It might not take you anywhere, but it tones up the muscles that can. Of course, I could be wrong.If you're looking for an alternative version of Hamlet's soliloquies, a member of our Facebook group has been turning famous passages from literature into limerick form with entertaining results.Los Angeles, though founded by Spanish speakers, was very, very Anglo by the early 20th century. The "original" pronunciation of Los Angeles has been muddied for a long time.Our lord of the literary limerick on our Facebook group doesn't stop with plays and novels. He also remixed song lyrics, like in this rendition of Stairway to Heaven.When Scots use the term wee man, they're referring to the devil. The Dictionary of the Scots Language is a fantastic and free resource for all terms Scottish, including blethering skite or bladderskate, which is a great thing to call a chatty rascal.The German idiom, Ich bin fast im Dreieck gesprungen! is a way of indicating that you're outraged. Literally, though, it means "I almost jumped in triangles." One listener's term, tee-ella-berta, is among hundreds of euphemisms for the derriere, including tee-hiney, tee-hineyboo, and tee-hinder.This episode was hosted by Martha Barnette and Grant Barrett.--A Way with Words is funded by its listeners: http://waywordradio.org/donateGet your language question answered on the air! Call or write with your questions at any time:Email: words@waywordradio.orgPhone: United States and Canada toll-free (877) WAY-WORD/(877) 929-9673London +44 20 7193 2113Mexico City +52 55 8421 9771Donate: http://waywordradio.org/donateSite: http://waywordradio.org/Podcast: http://waywordradio.org/podcast/Forums: http://waywordradio.org/discussion/Newsletter: http://waywordradio.org/newsletter/Twitter: http://twitter.com/wayword/Skype: skype://waywordradio Copyright 2015, Wayword LLC.

Mary Norris has been a copy editor for the New Yorker since 1978. In her new book, Between You & Me: Confessions of a Comma Queen, she offers clear and understandable grammar lessons for some of the most common conundrums faced by English speakers. Along the way, she also lifts the veil on the editorial process for the famed magazine, and describes the meandering career path that led her to the New Yorker. In this episode of the Modern Law Library, Norris and the ABA Journal's Lee Rawles discuss lawyers' affinity for language, and the behind-the-scenes challenges involved in magazine editing.

Follow along on the website: Smitten http://j.mp/1aLWFyC Between You and Me (Excerpt) http://j.mp/1H6eg0b Spick and Span http://j.mp/1a7LdMr Try my iOS game, Grammar Pop http://j.mp/1H5YiSj