June Casagrande

1 week ago | theworldlink.com | June Casagrande

Not long ago in this column, I talked a bit about the expression “step foot,” as in “I wouldn’t step foot in that store.” The first time I heard it, I was embarrassed for the speaker who, I was sure, meant “set foot.” The second, third and fourth times I heard it, I sensed a change was underway — and I’m not a fan of change (that’s an understatement). Eventually, I looked it up and learned that “step foot” is slowly gaining on “set foot,” whether I like it or not.

2 weeks ago | polkio.com | June Casagrande

Not long ago in this column, I talked a bit about the expression “step foot,” as in “I wouldn’t step foot in that store.” The first time I heard it, I was embarrassed for the speaker who, I was sure, meant “set foot.” The second, third and fourth times I heard it, I sensed a change was underway — and I’m not a fan of change (that’s an understatement). Eventually, I looked it up and learned that “step foot” is slowly gaining on “set foot,” whether I like it or not.

2 weeks ago | theworldlink.com | June Casagrande

You probably don’t read a lot of books written in the 1820s. But if you did, you’d see the word “belie” a lot more. According to Google Ngram Viewer, in the early 1800s, “belie” appeared in books about four times as often as it does now. Maybe that’s why I find the word a little intimidating. I never use it, partly because its definition is confusing, but mostly because its past tense is terrifying. Today I belie, yesterday I belay? Belaid? Belied? And what about in its -ing form? Beling? Belieing?

3 weeks ago | latimes.com | June Casagrande

The dictionary is gaslighting me. I know I sound crazy, but that’s just proof of gaslighting, right? Let me explain. For years I’ve been telling people that they never have to agonize over whether to use “swam” or “swum,” “laid” or “lain,” “drank” or “drunk,” or “dreamed” or “dreamt” because the answers are in the dictionary. But only if you know how to find them. Most dictionaries contain instructions on how to use the dictionary.

1 month ago | polkio.com | June Casagrande

The dictionary is gaslighting me. I know I sound crazy, but that’s just proof of gaslighting, right? Let me explain. For years I’ve been telling people that they never have to agonize over whether to use “swam” or “swum,” “laid” or “lain,” “drank” or “drunk,” or “dreamed” or “dreamt” because the answers are in the dictionary. But only if you know how to find them. Most dictionaries contain instructions on how to use the dictionary.