Gretchen McCulloch
@gretchenmcc.bsky.social
Internet linguist. Wrote Because Internet, NYT bestseller about internet language. Co-hosts @lingthusiasm.bsky.social, a podcast that's enthusiastic about linguistics.
she/her 🌈
Montreal en/fr 🇨🇦
gretchenmcculloch.com
she/her 🌈
Montreal en/fr 🇨🇦
gretchenmcculloch.com
Pinned
Hello! I'm an internet linguist!
I wrote a book called Because Internet about how we use language online gretchenmcculloch.com/book
I make @lingthusiasm.bsky.social, a podcast that's enthusiastic about linguistics
And I maintain a linguistics starter pack here: go.bsky.app/UUM7Gcx
I wrote a book called Because Internet about how we use language online gretchenmcculloch.com/book
I make @lingthusiasm.bsky.social, a podcast that's enthusiastic about linguistics
And I maintain a linguistics starter pack here: go.bsky.app/UUM7Gcx
Reposted by Gretchen McCulloch
People have been asking us for Lingthusiasm bloopers for a LONG time, so we've finally found mustered up a few that are actually reasonably funny
The unique communication styles of Swifites on tiktok, a cute Spanish internet meme, and some Lingthusiasm lore - plus bloopers!
It's a new bonus episode with deleted scenes from our interviews with @etymologynerd.bsky.social and @parasynthetic.bsky.social, and our second advice episode
It's a new bonus episode with deleted scenes from our interviews with @etymologynerd.bsky.social and @parasynthetic.bsky.social, and our second advice episode
Bonus 107: Swifties, amorch, Melbin, and bloopers! - Deleted Scenes from Adam Aleksic, Miguel Sánchez Ibáñez, and the advice episode | Lingthusiasm
Get more from Lingthusiasm on Patreon
www.patreon.com
January 2, 2026 at 12:28 AM
People have been asking us for Lingthusiasm bloopers for a LONG time, so we've finally found mustered up a few that are actually reasonably funny
The bloopers reel has people asking about the linguistics of bloopers and we've done that too!
You're in luck! We have a bonus episode about linguistic mix-ups which have been studied under various names
Bonus 88: Linguistic mixups - spoonerisms, mondegreens, and eggcorns | Lingthusiasm
Get more from Lingthusiasm on Patreon
www.patreon.com
January 2, 2026 at 2:53 PM
The bloopers reel has people asking about the linguistics of bloopers and we've done that too!
I often try to read more books I already own, but now I'm contemplating owning more books I've already read
Thinking about buying physical copies of books I particularly liked as ebooks or library books or borrowed from friends more often
Idk, it supports the author and then I can lend them out!
Thinking about buying physical copies of books I particularly liked as ebooks or library books or borrowed from friends more often
Idk, it supports the author and then I can lend them out!
January 2, 2026 at 3:23 AM
I often try to read more books I already own, but now I'm contemplating owning more books I've already read
Thinking about buying physical copies of books I particularly liked as ebooks or library books or borrowed from friends more often
Idk, it supports the author and then I can lend them out!
Thinking about buying physical copies of books I particularly liked as ebooks or library books or borrowed from friends more often
Idk, it supports the author and then I can lend them out!
doing a tarot reading but using an apples to apples deck, is this anything
January 2, 2026 at 12:29 AM
doing a tarot reading but using an apples to apples deck, is this anything
People have been asking us for Lingthusiasm bloopers for a LONG time, so we've finally found mustered up a few that are actually reasonably funny
The unique communication styles of Swifites on tiktok, a cute Spanish internet meme, and some Lingthusiasm lore - plus bloopers!
It's a new bonus episode with deleted scenes from our interviews with @etymologynerd.bsky.social and @parasynthetic.bsky.social, and our second advice episode
It's a new bonus episode with deleted scenes from our interviews with @etymologynerd.bsky.social and @parasynthetic.bsky.social, and our second advice episode
Bonus 107: Swifties, amorch, Melbin, and bloopers! - Deleted Scenes from Adam Aleksic, Miguel Sánchez Ibáñez, and the advice episode | Lingthusiasm
Get more from Lingthusiasm on Patreon
www.patreon.com
January 2, 2026 at 12:28 AM
People have been asking us for Lingthusiasm bloopers for a LONG time, so we've finally found mustered up a few that are actually reasonably funny
If you know a high school student interested in language and/or puzzles, tell 'em about the linguistics olympiads, there are lots of national versions in many countries plus an international competition!
The International Linguistics Olympiad (IOL) is an annual international competition that brings together secondary school students and experts from various fields of linguistics.
January 1, 2026 at 8:39 PM
If you know a high school student interested in language and/or puzzles, tell 'em about the linguistics olympiads, there are lots of national versions in many countries plus an international competition!
Reposted by Gretchen McCulloch
Did you know that Patreon now supports free following?
Free members on Patreon get:
💚 our list of 12 pop linguistics books we recommend, fiction and nonfiction
💚 a free bonus episode (on swearing!)
💚 an email once a month when new episodes drop!
patreon.com/lingthusiasm
Free members on Patreon get:
💚 our list of 12 pop linguistics books we recommend, fiction and nonfiction
💚 a free bonus episode (on swearing!)
💚 an email once a month when new episodes drop!
patreon.com/lingthusiasm
Lingthusiasm | Patreon
creating a podcast that's enthusiastic about linguistics!
patreon.com
January 1, 2026 at 6:47 PM
Did you know that Patreon now supports free following?
Free members on Patreon get:
💚 our list of 12 pop linguistics books we recommend, fiction and nonfiction
💚 a free bonus episode (on swearing!)
💚 an email once a month when new episodes drop!
patreon.com/lingthusiasm
Free members on Patreon get:
💚 our list of 12 pop linguistics books we recommend, fiction and nonfiction
💚 a free bonus episode (on swearing!)
💚 an email once a month when new episodes drop!
patreon.com/lingthusiasm
Looking forward to seeing people in the online part!
Happy New Year! We’re kicking off the New Year in New Orleans – and we’re just ONE WEEK away from celebrating with so many of you! There’s still time to register and be part of the excitement, connection, and community.
Join us and start the year off right! web.cvent.com/event/d45318...
Join us and start the year off right! web.cvent.com/event/d45318...
January 1, 2026 at 4:09 PM
Looking forward to seeing people in the online part!
Reposted by Gretchen McCulloch
great news, everyone! turning a 5 into a 6 because you forgot the year is one of the easiest ones to fudge! turning a 6 into a 7 won't be so simple
January 1, 2026 at 5:08 AM
great news, everyone! turning a 5 into a 6 because you forgot the year is one of the easiest ones to fudge! turning a 6 into a 7 won't be so simple
Reposted by Gretchen McCulloch
Finally got to finishingGesture: A Slim Guide by @superlinguo.bsky.social
Nonverbal communication (esp signed languages) has always fascinated me, and this is a great intro w/ lots to dig deeper into!
First learned about this on their podcast @lingthusiasm.bsky.socialw/ @gretchenmcc.bsky.social
Nonverbal communication (esp signed languages) has always fascinated me, and this is a great intro w/ lots to dig deeper into!
First learned about this on their podcast @lingthusiasm.bsky.socialw/ @gretchenmcc.bsky.social
January 1, 2026 at 12:58 AM
Finally got to finishingGesture: A Slim Guide by @superlinguo.bsky.social
Nonverbal communication (esp signed languages) has always fascinated me, and this is a great intro w/ lots to dig deeper into!
First learned about this on their podcast @lingthusiasm.bsky.socialw/ @gretchenmcc.bsky.social
Nonverbal communication (esp signed languages) has always fascinated me, and this is a great intro w/ lots to dig deeper into!
First learned about this on their podcast @lingthusiasm.bsky.socialw/ @gretchenmcc.bsky.social
why do we say in the new year but not in the new week send tweet
December 31, 2025 at 10:00 PM
why do we say in the new year but not in the new week send tweet
Reposted by Gretchen McCulloch
If you ask me, for “the day before yesterday” you can’t beat Classical Latin’s “nudius tertius” (which is literally “nunc dies tertius,” meaning “now [it is] the third day [since this happened]”)
December 31, 2025 at 7:30 PM
If you ask me, for “the day before yesterday” you can’t beat Classical Latin’s “nudius tertius” (which is literally “nunc dies tertius,” meaning “now [it is] the third day [since this happened]”)
Reposted by Gretchen McCulloch
Academics, who typically teach on nonadjacent days, could help push this movement!
“Following up from what we started ereyesterday…”
“Don’t forget the quiz at the end of class overmorrow!”
“Following up from what we started ereyesterday…”
“Don’t forget the quiz at the end of class overmorrow!”
all the other germanic languages in my replies being like yeah we're still using this 😙🎶
english, we could bring overmorrow back, it used to exist and it could come back!
en.wiktionary.org/wiki/overmor...
english, we could bring overmorrow back, it used to exist and it could come back!
en.wiktionary.org/wiki/overmor...
December 31, 2025 at 7:56 PM
Academics, who typically teach on nonadjacent days, could help push this movement!
“Following up from what we started ereyesterday…”
“Don’t forget the quiz at the end of class overmorrow!”
“Following up from what we started ereyesterday…”
“Don’t forget the quiz at the end of class overmorrow!”
Reposted by Gretchen McCulloch
The Czech pozítří (after tomorrow) allows popozítří, the day after the day after tomorrow. A word that always makes me smile.
December 31, 2025 at 6:59 PM
The Czech pozítří (after tomorrow) allows popozítří, the day after the day after tomorrow. A word that always makes me smile.
Reposted by Gretchen McCulloch
Japanese takes it out further: kyō 'today' -> ashita -> asatte -> shi-asatte '4 days out, counting today' -> ya-no-asatte. There are regional debates/dialect differences concerning whether the last two refer to the same thing.
December 31, 2025 at 6:23 PM
Japanese takes it out further: kyō 'today' -> ashita -> asatte -> shi-asatte '4 days out, counting today' -> ya-no-asatte. There are regional debates/dialect differences concerning whether the last two refer to the same thing.
Reposted by Gretchen McCulloch
In Polish its "pojutrze", literally "after tomorrow". It's shortened from the original phrase "dzień po jutrze" ("the day after tomorrow").
December 31, 2025 at 6:13 PM
In Polish its "pojutrze", literally "after tomorrow". It's shortened from the original phrase "dzień po jutrze" ("the day after tomorrow").
I want to print YOU DON'T GET GOOD AT A THING BY NOT DOING IT onto little cards and just hand them out in conversation sometimes
D1) again, this is difficult to pull off at longer lengths. But you don't get good at a thing by not doing it.
E) YOU DON'T GET GOOD AT A THING BY NOT DOING IT done is better than perfect. Don't worry so much about "practicing right" just practice. You can adjust as you need as you go on.
E) YOU DON'T GET GOOD AT A THING BY NOT DOING IT done is better than perfect. Don't worry so much about "practicing right" just practice. You can adjust as you need as you go on.
December 31, 2025 at 6:11 PM
I want to print YOU DON'T GET GOOD AT A THING BY NOT DOING IT onto little cards and just hand them out in conversation sometimes
Reposted by Gretchen McCulloch
On it! I’ll start using it at work overmorrow, I promise!
all the other germanic languages in my replies being like yeah we're still using this 😙🎶
english, we could bring overmorrow back, it used to exist and it could come back!
en.wiktionary.org/wiki/overmor...
english, we could bring overmorrow back, it used to exist and it could come back!
en.wiktionary.org/wiki/overmor...
December 31, 2025 at 6:07 PM
On it! I’ll start using it at work overmorrow, I promise!
Reposted by Gretchen McCulloch
Sold, I'm using it. We're resurrecting overmorrow.
But due to the holiday we're starting overmorrow.
But due to the holiday we're starting overmorrow.
December 31, 2025 at 5:44 PM
Sold, I'm using it. We're resurrecting overmorrow.
But due to the holiday we're starting overmorrow.
But due to the holiday we're starting overmorrow.
Reposted by Gretchen McCulloch
I'm trying to use 'sennight' more
December 31, 2025 at 5:57 PM
I'm trying to use 'sennight' more
Reposted by Gretchen McCulloch
On a related note, "antepenultimate" was a surprisingly useful word in my last choir, three pages is a pretty common amount of score for the last chunk of a piece you're rehearsing.
all the other germanic languages in my replies being like yeah we're still using this 😙🎶
english, we could bring overmorrow back, it used to exist and it could come back!
en.wiktionary.org/wiki/overmor...
english, we could bring overmorrow back, it used to exist and it could come back!
en.wiktionary.org/wiki/overmor...
December 31, 2025 at 5:56 PM
On a related note, "antepenultimate" was a surprisingly useful word in my last choir, three pages is a pretty common amount of score for the last chunk of a piece you're rehearsing.
Reposted by Gretchen McCulloch
My children (when they were children) adopted the Georgian word zeg (meaning overmorrow) when they heard it from youtubers.
When I told them about overmorrow a few years back (after they had become adults) they rejected it because it "has too many syllables".
When I told them about overmorrow a few years back (after they had become adults) they rejected it because it "has too many syllables".
December 31, 2025 at 5:56 PM
My children (when they were children) adopted the Georgian word zeg (meaning overmorrow) when they heard it from youtubers.
When I told them about overmorrow a few years back (after they had become adults) they rejected it because it "has too many syllables".
When I told them about overmorrow a few years back (after they had become adults) they rejected it because it "has too many syllables".
Reposted by Gretchen McCulloch
oh, look, the new year's resolution I did not realize I was about to make
Exactly, you can just say stuff! Enweird your language a bit! Maybe people will pick it up from you, but you won't know until you try!
My German-speaking partner also bemoans the absence of "forenoon" in English (vormittag in German). It's gotten to a point where he'll just say it. Be the language change you wish to see in the world, I guess?
December 31, 2025 at 5:34 PM
oh, look, the new year's resolution I did not realize I was about to make
Reposted by Gretchen McCulloch
Gonna speak like a pirate all the time
Exactly, you can just say stuff! Enweird your language a bit! Maybe people will pick it up from you, but you won't know until you try!
My German-speaking partner also bemoans the absence of "forenoon" in English (vormittag in German). It's gotten to a point where he'll just say it. Be the language change you wish to see in the world, I guess?
December 31, 2025 at 5:35 PM
Gonna speak like a pirate all the time