The euphoric bliss of words

An amazingly lively defense of the liveliness of English.

Comma chameleon

Following the dictum of "comma for clarity," Oxford University has dumped the "Oxford Comma."

Here’s an explanation from the style guide: “As a general rule, do not use the serial/Oxford comma: so write ‘a, b and c’ not ‘a, b, and c’. But when a comma would assist in the meaning of the sentence or helps to resolve ambiguity, it can be used – especially where one of the items in the list is already joined by ‘and’ [for example]: They had a choice between croissants, bacon and eggs, and muesli.”

A video (with NSFW lyrics) uses the Oxford comma as a metaphor for the small stuff one should not sweat.

Words are nothing without everything they carry

A free-association visual poem that illustrates that words are labels we attach to concepts, which are linked in the video by definitions, synonyms and/or homophones -- from Will Hoffman and Daniel Mercadante to accompany Radiolab's Words episode. With an original score by Keith Kenniff.

Words matter, pick them carefully

"You won't need some of these words for months and months"