TWTS: When your ancestors are the descendants of your ancestors

8/1/2025

That's What They Say

0:00

5:13

When you have a language podcast, you come across a lot of usages that make you think, “I would never say that.” A little research and a few contextual examples later, you might just change your mind.

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TWTS: Some would just as soon say "just assume"
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If you’d just as soon not learn about an eggcorn that some language pundits really dislike, then you might want to stop reading now.
TWTS: Fit to be furious
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We can be angry or infuriated or outraged or furious or livid or incensed, all of which make us fit to be tied.
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TWTS: When you're wary of confusing "weary" and "wary"
8/31/2025
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Usage guide writers, seeing some confusion afoot, tell us to be wary about the distinction between "wary” and “weary.”
TWTS: The many faces of "mug"
8/25/2025
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Even though "mug shots" do not involve drinking or "mugs" in that sense, we can draw a historical connection between these two mugs.
TWTS: Campfire up the lightning round
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From campfire wood to troubleshooting, English usage provides plenty of curiosities for another lightning round.
TWTS: Double the modals, double the nuance
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Only some English speakers have grammars that allow them to say “We might could make that better” or “We might should eat before the movie.”
TWTS: When your ancestors are the descendants of your ancestors
8/1/2025
5:13
When you have a language podcast, you come across a lot of usages that make you think, “I would never say that.” A little research and a few contextual examples later, you might just change your mind.
TWTS: "Peak" felt fine until it was "peaked"
7/28/2025
5:23
Mountains may be peaked, collars may be peaked, but when we’re sick, we’re not “peaked” but “peak-ed.”
TWTS: Speaking of "bespoke"
7/21/2025
5:22
This is a bespoke segment of That’s What They Say that focuses on “bespoke.”
TWTS: Why "peeves" make great pets
7/14/2025
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Listeners write to us regularly with their language peeves, which we love. Sometimes they call these peeves their "pet peeves."

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TWTS: When your ancestors are the descendants of your ancestors

That's What They Say

More episodes from "That's What They Say"

TWTS: Some would just as soon say "just assume"

TWTS: Fit to be furious

TWTS: When you're wary of confusing "weary" and "wary"

TWTS: The many faces of "mug"

TWTS: Campfire up the lightning round

TWTS: Double the modals, double the nuance

TWTS: When your ancestors are the descendants of your ancestors

TWTS: "Peak" felt fine until it was "peaked"

TWTS: Speaking of "bespoke"

TWTS: Why "peeves" make great pets