Kristin Whittlesey
@kawhittlesey.bsky.social
Nashville's grammar cartoonist. When in doubt, trust Merriam-Webster. I like live music, baking cookies, and armadillos. And pretty much anything sparkly.
WOTD “decisions, decisions” edition. Options vs. Choices. If you are picking among several items, you do not have multiple choices. You have multiple options, from which you will make one choice. (“Multiple choice test” is correct because each discrete question requires making a choice.)
December 3, 2025 at 2:23 PM
WOTD “decisions, decisions” edition. Options vs. Choices. If you are picking among several items, you do not have multiple choices. You have multiple options, from which you will make one choice. (“Multiple choice test” is correct because each discrete question requires making a choice.)
Reposted by Kristin Whittlesey
“Have Yourself A Merriam Little Christmas”
Merriam, a career-oriented lexicographer from the city, returns to her small town for the holidays and meets Webster, a ruggedly handsome librarian, who shows her the true DEFINITION of Christmas.
Merriam, a career-oriented lexicographer from the city, returns to her small town for the holidays and meets Webster, a ruggedly handsome librarian, who shows her the true DEFINITION of Christmas.
December 2, 2025 at 7:18 PM
“Have Yourself A Merriam Little Christmas”
Merriam, a career-oriented lexicographer from the city, returns to her small town for the holidays and meets Webster, a ruggedly handsome librarian, who shows her the true DEFINITION of Christmas.
Merriam, a career-oriented lexicographer from the city, returns to her small town for the holidays and meets Webster, a ruggedly handsome librarian, who shows her the true DEFINITION of Christmas.
Not a bad Bonnaroo lineup. Well done, kids. (I recognize 43 names on the poster this time.)
December 2, 2025 at 4:33 PM
Not a bad Bonnaroo lineup. Well done, kids. (I recognize 43 names on the poster this time.)
Reposted by Kristin Whittlesey
'Restaurant' comes from the same French word that gave us 'restore.' This is the reason why there is no 'n' in 'restaurateur.'
December 2, 2025 at 4:01 PM
'Restaurant' comes from the same French word that gave us 'restore.' This is the reason why there is no 'n' in 'restaurateur.'
WOTD “Tennessee Tuesday” edition. Plebiscite. It’s a different kind of “Tennessee Tuesday,” as eyes nationwide are on our congressional special election. If you live in TN-07, today’s the day! Vote, vote, vote!
December 2, 2025 at 2:24 PM
WOTD “Tennessee Tuesday” edition. Plebiscite. It’s a different kind of “Tennessee Tuesday,” as eyes nationwide are on our congressional special election. If you live in TN-07, today’s the day! Vote, vote, vote!
Time for airport roulette. Plane is already 4+ hours delayed and getting worse every time I refresh the app. Will it go? Will it be even later? Will I spend the night at the DC airport? Who knows!
November 29, 2025 at 5:47 PM
Time for airport roulette. Plane is already 4+ hours delayed and getting worse every time I refresh the app. Will it go? Will it be even later? Will I spend the night at the DC airport? Who knows!
Reposted by Kristin Whittlesey
The Grand Ole Opry is turning 100. As the country music institution celebrates a century of its radio broadcast, listen to how the show defined the culture — and was reshaped by it — decade by decade.
The Grand Ole Opry at 100
As the country music institution celebrates a century of its radio broadcast, listen to how the show defined the culture — and was reshaped by it — decade by decade.
nyti.ms
November 20, 2025 at 9:20 PM
The Grand Ole Opry is turning 100. As the country music institution celebrates a century of its radio broadcast, listen to how the show defined the culture — and was reshaped by it — decade by decade.
WOTD “get in sync” edition. Gibe vs. Jibe vs. Jive. These are tricky, so bear with me. The first is a dig at somebody. The second may also be a taunt, but more generally means to be in agreement. The last is a manner of speech. If you have a mnemonic for any of them, help a pedant out and share!
November 19, 2025 at 3:00 PM
WOTD “get in sync” edition. Gibe vs. Jibe vs. Jive. These are tricky, so bear with me. The first is a dig at somebody. The second may also be a taunt, but more generally means to be in agreement. The last is a manner of speech. If you have a mnemonic for any of them, help a pedant out and share!
It’s an East Nashville deep cut, but I so hope that on opening night of the 5 Points Party Fowl somebody posts “Sex Chair 4 Sex” signs in all the bathroom stalls.
November 18, 2025 at 4:08 PM
It’s an East Nashville deep cut, but I so hope that on opening night of the 5 Points Party Fowl somebody posts “Sex Chair 4 Sex” signs in all the bathroom stalls.
WOTD - Tennessee Tuesday. “Give Me Some Sugar.” Next week is Thanksgiving, so this phrase is gonna get a workout. It doesn’t mean you prepared poorly and need an ingredient for your pumpkin pie. It means “Kiss me!” In a grandma way, not a Hallmark holiday movie way. Safe travels and happy holidays!
November 18, 2025 at 3:05 PM
WOTD - Tennessee Tuesday. “Give Me Some Sugar.” Next week is Thanksgiving, so this phrase is gonna get a workout. It doesn’t mean you prepared poorly and need an ingredient for your pumpkin pie. It means “Kiss me!” In a grandma way, not a Hallmark holiday movie way. Safe travels and happy holidays!
This one is just for @kmaustinyoung.bsky.social. Bridal looks inspired by biblically accurate angels. www.instagram.com/reel/DRKkt-D...
undefined on Instagram: "alysiacolestylingAs I’m putting together niche wedding dress inspo from all of the amazing holiday suggestions yall gave, I kept se…"
alysiacolestylingAs I’m putting together niche wedding dress inspo from all of the amazing holiday suggestions yall gave, I kept seeing the angel theme reoccurring and thought this biblically accurate angel styling deserved another post! Especially since so many of you have sent @irisvanherpen latest collection my way (yes, it’s stunning and yes, all those dresses would also be perfect bridal looks for this theme). Be not afraid!! But make it bridal 👁️🪽👰♀️
www.instagram.com
November 17, 2025 at 5:09 PM
This one is just for @kmaustinyoung.bsky.social. Bridal looks inspired by biblically accurate angels. www.instagram.com/reel/DRKkt-D...
WOTD “do they have railroads in heaven?” edition. Locomotive. I didn’t know Todd Snider. Not the way many of my friends did, anyway. So, no stories from me. Just, go listen to a train song today, and maybe sip on a whiskey while you’re doing it.
November 17, 2025 at 2:56 PM
WOTD “do they have railroads in heaven?” edition. Locomotive. I didn’t know Todd Snider. Not the way many of my friends did, anyway. So, no stories from me. Just, go listen to a train song today, and maybe sip on a whiskey while you’re doing it.
WOTD “last call” edition. Restaurateur. We were gutted to learn that Margot McCormack will be closing her iconic East Nashville restaurant next year. There would be no independent restaurant scene in Nashville without Margot, and that’s not hyperbole. (Also, there is no N in “restaurateur.”)
November 12, 2025 at 2:54 PM
WOTD “last call” edition. Restaurateur. We were gutted to learn that Margot McCormack will be closing her iconic East Nashville restaurant next year. There would be no independent restaurant scene in Nashville without Margot, and that’s not hyperbole. (Also, there is no N in “restaurateur.”)
This one hurts. Once upon a time, Five Points was Slow Bar and Margot and that was it. And it was delightful. www.nashvillescene.com/food_drink/f...
Margot Café & Bar Prepares to Say Au Revoir in 2026
Margot McCormack explains her decision to close her acclaimed East Nashville restaurant after 25 years
www.nashvillescene.com
November 12, 2025 at 1:01 PM
This one hurts. Once upon a time, Five Points was Slow Bar and Margot and that was it. And it was delightful. www.nashvillescene.com/food_drink/f...
Y'all. Just when I thought I couldn't love them any more, they go and do this. Y'all'll've. Marry me, @merriam-webster.com.
November 10, 2025 at 5:19 PM
Y'all. Just when I thought I couldn't love them any more, they go and do this. Y'all'll've. Marry me, @merriam-webster.com.
WOTD “oorah” edition. Semper Fidelis. Happy 250th anniversary to the U.S. Marine Corps! (I tried to draw Chesty the Bulldog, the Marines mascot, but he is far beyond my whiteboarding skills.)
November 10, 2025 at 2:46 PM
WOTD “oorah” edition. Semper Fidelis. Happy 250th anniversary to the U.S. Marine Corps! (I tried to draw Chesty the Bulldog, the Marines mascot, but he is far beyond my whiteboarding skills.)
WOTD “Christmas Creep” edition. Festoon. The coffee chain unveiled its holiday menu today, and the festive holiday to-go cups are coming next week. So, I’m giving in. Forget about Thanksgiving, we’re going straight to holly jolly. Happy holidays, you filthy animals.
November 6, 2025 at 2:59 PM
WOTD “Christmas Creep” edition. Festoon. The coffee chain unveiled its holiday menu today, and the festive holiday to-go cups are coming next week. So, I’m giving in. Forget about Thanksgiving, we’re going straight to holly jolly. Happy holidays, you filthy animals.
Looked at Waylon just now and said, “You’re a good boy. Even though you yell at me all the time at the top of your lungs, I know you’re really a good good boy.” So, um. Am I in an emotionally abusive relationship with my cat?
November 6, 2025 at 12:32 PM
Looked at Waylon just now and said, “You’re a good boy. Even though you yell at me all the time at the top of your lungs, I know you’re really a good good boy.” So, um. Am I in an emotionally abusive relationship with my cat?
WOTD “what ails you” edition. Feel Bad vs. Feel Badly. Too frequently, I see well-meaning people wrongly use “badly” in place of “bad,” thinking it’s the correct thing to do. You wouldn’t say a pie smells “deliciously.” Nor would you say “I feel sadly” if you’re distraught. 1/2
November 5, 2025 at 2:49 PM
WOTD “what ails you” edition. Feel Bad vs. Feel Badly. Too frequently, I see well-meaning people wrongly use “badly” in place of “bad,” thinking it’s the correct thing to do. You wouldn’t say a pie smells “deliciously.” Nor would you say “I feel sadly” if you’re distraught. 1/2
WOTD - Tennessee Tuesday. If It Was A Snake….. A favorite phrase among frustrated parents and spouses who think their loved ones maybe aren’t so very good at looking for things.
November 4, 2025 at 2:47 PM
WOTD - Tennessee Tuesday. If It Was A Snake….. A favorite phrase among frustrated parents and spouses who think their loved ones maybe aren’t so very good at looking for things.
WOTD “movin’ to the country” edition. Superb vs. Suburb. I will charitably assume this was the result of an autocorrect error, but I did see them confused in the wild recently. “Suburb” is a place that you probably have to drive to. “Superb” is an adjective, and high praise. Is your suburb superb?
November 3, 2025 at 2:18 PM
WOTD “movin’ to the country” edition. Superb vs. Suburb. I will charitably assume this was the result of an autocorrect error, but I did see them confused in the wild recently. “Suburb” is a place that you probably have to drive to. “Superb” is an adjective, and high praise. Is your suburb superb?
The Preds made SNL, you say? Oh! (Watches sketch) …….oh.
November 2, 2025 at 1:28 PM
The Preds made SNL, you say? Oh! (Watches sketch) …….oh.
My much-loved @merriam-webster.com has a whole series today about names that are also verbs, and I am KICKING MYSELF for not thinking of it first. Josh. Carol. Ken. Sue. Chip. Mark. Peter.
October 31, 2025 at 3:04 PM
My much-loved @merriam-webster.com has a whole series today about names that are also verbs, and I am KICKING MYSELF for not thinking of it first. Josh. Carol. Ken. Sue. Chip. Mark. Peter.
WOTD “trick or treat” edition. Sweetmeat. Even vegetarian friends can partake of this “meat,” because a sweetmeat is a food rich in sugar - candy or confections. Happy Halloween!
October 31, 2025 at 1:39 PM
WOTD “trick or treat” edition. Sweetmeat. Even vegetarian friends can partake of this “meat,” because a sweetmeat is a food rich in sugar - candy or confections. Happy Halloween!
WOTD “and what are YOU supposed to be?” edition. Vizard. An essential part of many Halloween costumes. Bonus points if you don the vizard of a wizard.
October 30, 2025 at 1:43 PM
WOTD “and what are YOU supposed to be?” edition. Vizard. An essential part of many Halloween costumes. Bonus points if you don the vizard of a wizard.