Gretchen McCulloch
@gretchenmcculloch.com
Internet linguist. Wrote Because Internet, NYT bestseller about internet language. Co-hosts @lingthusiasm.com, 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
Update, now have my handle as my domain (and @lingthusiasm.com's at the same time) and can report the official instructions were easy and worked great!
(and hopefully submitting a request to relink my badge isn't too annoying)
(and hopefully submitting a request to relink my badge isn't too annoying)
January 16, 2026 at 8:13 PM
Update, now have my handle as my domain (and @lingthusiasm.com's at the same time) and can report the official instructions were easy and worked great!
(and hopefully submitting a request to relink my badge isn't too annoying)
(and hopefully submitting a request to relink my badge isn't too annoying)
Reposted by Gretchen McCulloch
I'm excited about this!
A lot of things are bad and we keep building joy in the cracks between. buttondown.com/signs+wonder...
New Year, New Book
Announcing MOTHER TONGUE, 5 totally free things you can do to support a new book, and mutual aid for MN
buttondown.com
January 16, 2026 at 4:20 PM
I'm excited about this!
Hey bluesky, does anyone know how resetting your account to use your own domain interacts with verification badges?
(As this is a tech support question, a reminder to please check replies before replying to avoid duplication!)
(As this is a tech support question, a reminder to please check replies before replying to avoid duplication!)
January 16, 2026 at 3:01 PM
Hey bluesky, does anyone know how resetting your account to use your own domain interacts with verification badges?
(As this is a tech support question, a reminder to please check replies before replying to avoid duplication!)
(As this is a tech support question, a reminder to please check replies before replying to avoid duplication!)
Reposted by Gretchen McCulloch
Language is all around us. This sentence right here, is language! But between someone saying something and a linguistic analysis of it, there are certain steps that make it easier for that analysis to happen.
In our latest episode we get enthusiastic about how language becomes linguistic data!
In our latest episode we get enthusiastic about how language becomes linguistic data!
112: When language become-s(3SG) linguistic example-s(PL)
Language is all around us. This sentence right here, is language! But between the raw experience of someone saying something and a linguistic analysis of what they've said, there are certain steps tha
soundcloud.com
January 16, 2026 at 12:22 AM
Language is all around us. This sentence right here, is language! But between someone saying something and a linguistic analysis of it, there are certain steps that make it easier for that analysis to happen.
In our latest episode we get enthusiastic about how language becomes linguistic data!
In our latest episode we get enthusiastic about how language becomes linguistic data!
New favourite example of an eggcorn!
Heard a lad earlier talking about ‘Belgian whistles’
“A basic website costs 10k or 25k upwards if you want all the Belgian whistles”
BELGIAN WHISTLES
“A basic website costs 10k or 25k upwards if you want all the Belgian whistles”
BELGIAN WHISTLES
January 16, 2026 at 3:18 AM
New favourite example of an eggcorn!
Reposted by Gretchen McCulloch
An acoustic bicycle is when I am breathing so hard from going up this steep hill that you can hear me from across the street
Whence my favourite retronym: acoustic bicycle.
Acoustic guitars used to just be called ‘guitars.’
Then, we invented electric guitars. Oh no.
Which meant saying ‘guitar’ wasn’t clear enough.
So 'guitars' became 'acoustic guitars.'
‘Acoustic guitar’ is an example of a ‘retronym.’
🧵⬇️
Then, we invented electric guitars. Oh no.
Which meant saying ‘guitar’ wasn’t clear enough.
So 'guitars' became 'acoustic guitars.'
‘Acoustic guitar’ is an example of a ‘retronym.’
🧵⬇️
January 14, 2026 at 2:21 AM
An acoustic bicycle is when I am breathing so hard from going up this steep hill that you can hear me from across the street
Reposted by Gretchen McCulloch
this is also my favorite retronym, and deeply intuitive to use.
I currently own an acoustic bicycle and am thinking of getting an electric one in addition.
I currently own an acoustic bicycle and am thinking of getting an electric one in addition.
Whence my favourite retronym: acoustic bicycle.
Acoustic guitars used to just be called ‘guitars.’
Then, we invented electric guitars. Oh no.
Which meant saying ‘guitar’ wasn’t clear enough.
So 'guitars' became 'acoustic guitars.'
‘Acoustic guitar’ is an example of a ‘retronym.’
🧵⬇️
Then, we invented electric guitars. Oh no.
Which meant saying ‘guitar’ wasn’t clear enough.
So 'guitars' became 'acoustic guitars.'
‘Acoustic guitar’ is an example of a ‘retronym.’
🧵⬇️
January 14, 2026 at 1:15 AM
this is also my favorite retronym, and deeply intuitive to use.
I currently own an acoustic bicycle and am thinking of getting an electric one in addition.
I currently own an acoustic bicycle and am thinking of getting an electric one in addition.
Reposted by Gretchen McCulloch
my kid (4;11) has fully generalized this and will call any non-electric thing “acoustic”
Whence my favourite retronym: acoustic bicycle.
Acoustic guitars used to just be called ‘guitars.’
Then, we invented electric guitars. Oh no.
Which meant saying ‘guitar’ wasn’t clear enough.
So 'guitars' became 'acoustic guitars.'
‘Acoustic guitar’ is an example of a ‘retronym.’
🧵⬇️
Then, we invented electric guitars. Oh no.
Which meant saying ‘guitar’ wasn’t clear enough.
So 'guitars' became 'acoustic guitars.'
‘Acoustic guitar’ is an example of a ‘retronym.’
🧵⬇️
January 14, 2026 at 1:34 AM
my kid (4;11) has fully generalized this and will call any non-electric thing “acoustic”
Whence my favourite retronym: acoustic bicycle.
Acoustic guitars used to just be called ‘guitars.’
Then, we invented electric guitars. Oh no.
Which meant saying ‘guitar’ wasn’t clear enough.
So 'guitars' became 'acoustic guitars.'
‘Acoustic guitar’ is an example of a ‘retronym.’
🧵⬇️
Then, we invented electric guitars. Oh no.
Which meant saying ‘guitar’ wasn’t clear enough.
So 'guitars' became 'acoustic guitars.'
‘Acoustic guitar’ is an example of a ‘retronym.’
🧵⬇️
January 14, 2026 at 12:35 AM
Whence my favourite retronym: acoustic bicycle.
Reposted by Gretchen McCulloch
If you like books about linguistics and languages (perhaps you'd like to write your own?), here's a free talk for you!
On the 27/1, I'll be putting questions to four fabulous authors over Zoom, getting their experience of writing linguistically for the public. Link:
us06web.zoom.us/meeting/regi...
On the 27/1, I'll be putting questions to four fabulous authors over Zoom, getting their experience of writing linguistically for the public. Link:
us06web.zoom.us/meeting/regi...
January 12, 2026 at 3:31 PM
If you like books about linguistics and languages (perhaps you'd like to write your own?), here's a free talk for you!
On the 27/1, I'll be putting questions to four fabulous authors over Zoom, getting their experience of writing linguistically for the public. Link:
us06web.zoom.us/meeting/regi...
On the 27/1, I'll be putting questions to four fabulous authors over Zoom, getting their experience of writing linguistically for the public. Link:
us06web.zoom.us/meeting/regi...
Reposted by Gretchen McCulloch
Years ago, 957 people from Twitter contributed to my research on 'because X' and I promised I'd share the results with them. I can't, because twitter, but please share it with people here anyway: www.degruyterbrill.com/document/doi...
Non-paywalled pre-print: kar.kent.ac.uk/105654/
#linguistics
Non-paywalled pre-print: kar.kent.ac.uk/105654/
#linguistics
8 A snapshot of the emerging because-X construction
8 A snapshot of the emerging because-X construction was published in English Sociosyntax on page 227.
www.degruyterbrill.com
January 12, 2026 at 12:27 PM
Years ago, 957 people from Twitter contributed to my research on 'because X' and I promised I'd share the results with them. I can't, because twitter, but please share it with people here anyway: www.degruyterbrill.com/document/doi...
Non-paywalled pre-print: kar.kent.ac.uk/105654/
#linguistics
Non-paywalled pre-print: kar.kent.ac.uk/105654/
#linguistics
Watching the #lsa2026 awards ceremony and thinking about how linguists are really great at pronouncing people's names
(I assume because the presenters have checked with awardees in advance and made annotations in IPA where needed)
(I assume because the presenters have checked with awardees in advance and made annotations in IPA where needed)
January 11, 2026 at 12:29 AM
Watching the #lsa2026 awards ceremony and thinking about how linguists are really great at pronouncing people's names
(I assume because the presenters have checked with awardees in advance and made annotations in IPA where needed)
(I assume because the presenters have checked with awardees in advance and made annotations in IPA where needed)
The nice thing about watching #LSA2026 talks online is that I can eat my breakfast while watching the first session and I'm not distracting any of the speakers!
We’re excited to welcome you to New Orleans when registration opens today at 12 PM CT.
We look forward to launching #LSA2026 and connecting with our vibrant linguistic community both in-person and virtually! #LSA2026 #NewOrleans #Welcome #AnnualMeeting web.cvent.com/event/d45318...
We look forward to launching #LSA2026 and connecting with our vibrant linguistic community both in-person and virtually! #LSA2026 #NewOrleans #Welcome #AnnualMeeting web.cvent.com/event/d45318...
January 9, 2026 at 4:07 PM
The nice thing about watching #LSA2026 talks online is that I can eat my breakfast while watching the first session and I'm not distracting any of the speakers!
Reposted by Gretchen McCulloch
A blast from the past. I wrote about this weird device back in 2010: stancarey.wordpress.com/2010/04/23/u...
January 7, 2026 at 2:09 PM
A blast from the past. I wrote about this weird device back in 2010: stancarey.wordpress.com/2010/04/23/u...
I wanna write this on my phone case
(she says, closing the app to go read a book)
(she says, closing the app to go read a book)
If you have time to doom scroll, you have time to read books!
January 6, 2026 at 10:53 PM
I wanna write this on my phone case
(she says, closing the app to go read a book)
(she says, closing the app to go read a book)
Today in linguists are not kidding when we say your capacity for language includes the ability to understand sentences that have never been produced before in human history
January 5, 2026 at 11:09 PM
Today in linguists are not kidding when we say your capacity for language includes the ability to understand sentences that have never been produced before in human history
Reposted by Gretchen McCulloch
'In reading and writing about research that had nothing to do with my own, I felt curious, enlightened, and empowered... The work fed the side of me that, as my mom would say, was always interested in “way too many things.”'
Exactly why I moved from research to #scicomm too @liuswrites.bsky.social!
Exactly why I moved from research to #scicomm too @liuswrites.bsky.social!
"Why did I act embarrassed about something that had finally given me the passionate spark I had been looking for in science?"
Check out one of our top #ScienceWorkingLife essays of 2025: https://scim.ag/4jr2yok
Check out one of our top #ScienceWorkingLife essays of 2025: https://scim.ag/4jr2yok
January 4, 2026 at 8:43 PM
'In reading and writing about research that had nothing to do with my own, I felt curious, enlightened, and empowered... The work fed the side of me that, as my mom would say, was always interested in “way too many things.”'
Exactly why I moved from research to #scicomm too @liuswrites.bsky.social!
Exactly why I moved from research to #scicomm too @liuswrites.bsky.social!
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