From 17th-century England to modern-day gratuities, the evolution of "tip" is a story of linguistic twists and turns that ultimately lead to a surprising conclusion: it's not what you think it stands for.

That's What They Say

TWTS: Here's a tip: "Tip" isn't an acronym

When we get schooled at something, we may feel humbled by the experience; but when we win something, we may also say we feel humbled by the experience.

TWTS: Humbled in victory, humbled in defeat

When terror rains down, we suddenly have a spelling question.

TWTS: When a reign becomes rain

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

TWTS: The Declaration of ... Independency?

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

TWTS: Bereft or just lacking?

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"

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

TWTS: Not all sounds resonate

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

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

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

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

Apprentissage des langues

Culture et société

Éducation

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!