Longtime editor, originator of @bostonglobe’s The Word column, occasional blogger, recovering nitpicker. Now janfreeman at the sky blue site.
Boston area
Joined December 2008
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Jan Freeman retweeted
I would present this slightly differently:
Grammar is grammar. A set of linguistic facts about language.
Usage is social--like manners. A set of cultural facts about language.
Jan Freeman retweeted
Three years ago unemployment was 11%, a post-war high. Today it's 3.7%, near a post-war low.
Three years ago real GDP per capita (=average inflation-adjusted income) was $52,400. Today it's $60,600.
This quoted post is unavailable.
Jan Freeman retweeted
I love this passage from Boswell's Journal of a Tour. Johnson, b 1709, is still thinking of the older meaning (he defines enthusiasm as "A vain belief of private revelation; a vain confidence of divine favour or communication"); Boswell, b 1740, is thinking of the modern meaning.
Jan Freeman retweeted
On the eve of National Grammar Day, a new Grammar Noir episode.
tinyurl.com/3wbdywsa
Jan Freeman retweeted
Last week's story on eggflation is up to 819k YouTube views, but slowing. I have bet the over on 900k with a colleague -- for literally 100 trillion dollars. Please help me, & BTW: how can the dollar number be true? youtu.be/WAwEXycDhzY
Jan Freeman retweeted
On the clock ivacheung.com/2023/02/on-the… Iva gets it so perfectly. I believe I have experienced every one of these scenarios as well as gardening. #amediting
Jan Freeman retweeted
Well, somehow my first official Washington Post byline is about FAFO, which clearly should have been the word of the year 2022. HELLO, everyone. And thanks to my colleagues for allowing me to publish this insane thing washingtonpost.com/opinions/…
Jan Freeman retweeted
‘A bit like the green M&M, the late monarch had apparently been a “strong, empowered female” who “paved the way for other women to dedicate themselves fully to their careers”.’ Do read @wordspinster’s superb, pithy round up of feminism in language in 2022. Happy New Year Debbie!
New on Language: a feminist guide: a look back at 2022--the highs, the lows and the same-old-same-old debuk.wordpress.com/2023/01/…
Jan Freeman retweeted
I explained why GOP claims about people overdosing from touching fentanyl pills are bunk here aaronrupar.substack.com/p/ke…
Jan Freeman retweeted
I see some people (and newspapers) are having a 'was the Queen a feminist' debate. So, here's what I have to say about that. No, of course she wasn't. debuk.wordpress.com/2021/04/…
Jan Freeman retweeted
This is astonishing, yet not surprising. If it feels like you're far less safe in NYC than ever before, it's not bc shootings are up. It's because the media (fueled by lies & fearmongering by NYC Mayor Eric Adams) is up. Look at this chart. Red line is shootings. Grey is media.
Jan Freeman retweeted
This could also be done for "kids today don't care about language," back to Cicero.
