contributor

Neal Whitman

Neal Whitman blogs at Literal-Minded, where he writes about linguistics in everyday life from the point of view of a husband and father. He taught English as a second language while earning his degree at Ohio State University; has published articles in Language, Journal of Linguistics, and other publications; and writes occasional scripts for the podcast "Grammar Girl's Quick and Dirty Tips for Better Writing."
5 6 7 8 9 Displaying 50-56 of 57 Articles

Behind the Dictionary

Lexicographers Talk About Language

The Greatest Love of "Awe"
Thu Jun 10 00:00:00 EDT 2010
By Neal Whitman

A recent trip to an amusement park with his sons Doug and Adam got linguist Neal Whitman thinking about the evolution of the word awesome, and how it took such a different historical turn from its sibling awful.  Continue reading...
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Behind the Dictionary

Lexicographers Talk About Language

Prime Time for "Imma"
Mon Apr 26 00:00:00 EDT 2010
By Neal Whitman

Pay attention to the lyrics of the songs at the top of the pop charts these days, and you'll hear one slangy word used with surprising frequency: Imma (spelled in various different ways). Our resident linguist Neal Whitman investigates.  Continue reading...
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Behind the Dictionary

Lexicographers Talk About Language

Why the "Doughnut Hole" Metaphor is Inside Out
Mon Mar 29 00:00:00 EDT 2010
By Neal Whitman

The recent passage of health care legislation in the U.S. Congress has got linguist Neal Whitman ruminating over a reform-related metaphor that doesn't make much sense when you stop to think about it.  Continue reading...
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Behind the Dictionary

Lexicographers Talk About Language

Do's and Don'ts for Singular "They"
Thu Mar 04 00:00:00 EST 2010
By Neal Whitman

For National Grammar Day, linguist Neal Whitman takes a look at a long-standing source of contention among grammar enthusiasts: singular they. (Grammar purists, prepare yourselves for some unconventional rules!)  Continue reading...
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Behind the Dictionary

Lexicographers Talk About Language

"Win-Win" and the Winter Olympics
Fri Feb 12 00:00:00 EST 2010
By Neal Whitman

Just in time for the opening ceremonies of the Winter Olympics, linguist Neal Whitman has been thinking about a phrase that seems to guarantee victory: win-win situation. What does this "no-lose" proposition really mean?  Continue reading...
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Behind the Dictionary

Lexicographers Talk About Language

A Few Choice Words
Wed Dec 30 00:00:00 EST 2009
By Neal Whitman

We welcome back linguist Neal Whitman, who has noticed that many educators are fond of "choice" language, as in "He made good choices." Neal plumbs the history of this usage and talks to teachers and administrators about how the words "choose" and "choice" have shifted in recent years.  Continue reading...
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Behind the Dictionary

Lexicographers Talk About Language

A Troop of One
Wed Nov 11 00:00:00 EST 2009
By Neal Whitman

Today is Veterans Day in the United States, and linguist Neal Whitman has been thinking about a question of military usage: if "50,000 troops" refers to 50,000 people, then does "one troop" refer to one person?  Continue reading...
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5 6 7 8 9 Displaying 50-56 of 57 Articles