Patricia T. O'Conner on the Language of the Holidays

The Leonard Lopate Show | Dec 20, 2011

Our word maven Patricia T. O'Conner talks about the many euphemisms we have for death—pushing up daisies, bought the farm, kicked the bucket—and she answers questions about English language and grammar. An updated and expanded third edition of her book, Woe is I: The Grammarphobe's Guide to Better English in Plain English, is now out in paperback, along with Origins of the Specious, written with Stewart Kellerman.

Be alert for scams. WNYC never asks for nor accepts money for coverage or interviews. Anyone making such a request does not represent WNYC.

Top Stories

The Classroom/Technology Pipeline

Advice for Appreciating Music

30 Issues in 30 Days: Trump Family Profiteering

New Jazz History Book on the Legendary Village Vanguard; NYC's Most Haunted Areas

YOU ARE ONLINE