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This Slogan Had Grammarians Smoking Feb. 08, 2023
"Winston tastes good like a cigarette should." That famous advertising slogan, created by the Willia... Read More
Some Pronunciations Are Rotten Tomatoes Nov. 02, 2022
You say, "tah-MAY-toe." I say, "tah-MAH-toe." That's what many debates over pronunciation boil down ... Read More
Our Terms for Ukraine Reflect Its Identity Mar. 16, 2022
Is it "Ukraine" or "the Ukraine"? Is the name of the capital city of Ukraine spelled "Kyiv" or "Kiev... Read More
Finding the Seventh Planet Oct. 28, 2021
Week of October 31 — November 6, 2021 Many years ago, I was interviewed by a couple of morning... Read More
Pronunciation of 'Kiln' Reveals Wacky History Apr. 21, 2021
Q. A friend recently told me that her pottery pieces were being fired in a "kiln," a word she pronou... Read More
August 4, 2020 Aug. 04, 2020
Dear Annie: My wife and I have been married for seven years. She has a son from a previous marriage ... Read More
Words, Words, Words Jul. 31, 2020
Dear Annie: What is the protocol when a dear friend repeatedly uses an incorrect word or incorrectly... Read More
March 8, 2020 Mar. 08, 2020
Dear Annie: At a recent family party, after not eating all day, I drank too much alcohol. At some po... Read More
Repartee in the Rathskeller? You Don't Say! Dec. 25, 2019
Here's your chance to test your mastery of frequently mispronounced words. I'll even throw in some l... Read More
Experts Have Pronounced Differences Over 'Ukraine' Dec. 04, 2019
Today, some random dispatches from the Word Front ... — Scratching Our U-craniums Recent test... Read More
November 26, 2019 Nov. 26, 2019
Dear Annie: My boyfriend, "Darrin," and I have been seeing each other for five years. I love him and... Read More
A Letter of Caution to Teens Jun. 10, 2019
DR. WALLACE: I'm 18, and I enjoy the taste of a cold beer. I usually drink one a day during the week... Read More
There's a Lot in a Name Jun. 20, 2018
Dear Annie: Seventy-one years ago, my father decided to honor his kid brother and heritage by naming... Read More
When Pronunciation Becomes Instrumental May. 02, 2018
Pity the poor viola. Not only does this charming instrument have to play second fiddle to the violin... Read More
'An Hotel' Draws Many Reservations Apr. 09, 2014
Q: I notice that the word "hotel" is often preceded with the word "an," as in "We searched for an ho... Read More
Giving Letters the Silent Treatment Feb. 05, 2014
Should you pronounce the "t" in "often"? The "l" in "almond"? Though "often" was pronounced with a "... Read More
Peevish Readers Grow 'Pet'ulant Jan. 22, 2014
Every once in a while, I ask my readers to unleash their pet peeves — a snarling collection of... Read More
Navigating the Pronunciation Maze Dec. 25, 2013
Here's a convoluted question: Do you pronounce "labyrinthine" (meaning "maze-like, i... Read More
