This week we talk about usage stories of the year. What was the word of the year according to Webster’s and others? What usage did Australia’s Plain English Foundation object to the most? Don’t just click the links below—listen to us discuss these weighty matters!
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Plain English Foundation announces worst word of 2016
What is the 2016 Word of the Year?
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? Listen to find out.
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Opening music (Paul Brians’ favorite recording of “We Three Kings”)
“The Gift of the Magi,” by O. Henry
Zoroastrianism (Zarathustrianism)
Google search: The Slaughter of the Innocents
Google search: The Miracle of Christmas
Google search: The Magic of Christmas
Seasons change, but the podcast this week remains the same as we rebroadcast a timely episode from the archives.
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revolve/rotate
astrology/astronomy
center around/center on
epigram/epigraph/epitaph/epithet
earth, moon
satellite
Also note this celestial event, mentioned in verse in the comic strip Frazz.
This week we continue our discussion of photography as Paul Brians offers some great tips on how to get good images.
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Through the end of the year, get the book for $15
Send an e-mail message to Paul for a free oval matte cutter
This week we continue our discussion of photography as Paul Brians offers some great tips on how to get good images.
Subscribe on iTunes
Download mp3
On Stitcher
Links:
Through the end of the year, get the book for $15
Send an e-mail message to Paul for a free oval matte cutter
The photography of Jerry Uelsmann
Finding Vivian Maier
Paul’s manipulation of an image using Photoshop Elements:
The Common Errors in English Usage Podcast 