WOTD “not yet” edition. Presently vs. Currently. “Presently” does not mean the same thing as “at present.” This confuses a lot of people, and rightly so. Nonetheless, if it’s happening right now, the word you want is “currently.”

“Comprised of” is both redundant and bad construction. (I realize I have already lost this battle, but I will metaphorically die on this metaphoric hill.) 2/2

WOTD “not up for debate” edition. Home in vs. Hone. You cannot “hone in” in something. Fun fact: “Home in” comes from homing pigeons. If you’re trying to find and/or move toward something, you are “homing in.” “Honing” is sharpening, not seeking.

WOTD “back to school for the big kids” edition. Matriculate. Somehow, a number of our readers seem to have children who are starting college this year. We’re not sure how that happened, but we wish them - and their parents - all the best!

WOTD “so close!” edition. Apart vs. A Part. One little space makes a huge difference. If somebody writes that they’re “apart of the group,” they’re wrong and/or alone.

Behind the scenes at WOTD. When drawing the board uses All The Colors, this is the result. (Yes, that is a chopstick. I use it as an eraser.) Please send help. And more markers.

WOTD “back to the grind” edition. Pedagogy. Back-to-school is a rolling situation, and some of my readers’ kiddos won’t be headed back for several weeks, but in Nashville today’s the day! Best of luck, kids AND teachers!

WOTD “opinions vary, but grammar doesn’t” edition. “Biased.” “Now, I may be bias, but…..” Nope. You are not. If you have strong opinions on a particular topic, you may be “biased.” “Bias” as an adjective is reserved strictly for the textile arts.

WOTD “haven’t peaked yet” edition. Peaked. As a verb, it’s great! As an adjective, you should take a nap and maybe call your doctor. I hope Peak Week has piqued your linguistic interest!

WOTD “make a choice” edition. Caucus. It’s primary election season everywhere, and in Tennessee, today’s the day. (The sticks didn’t want to miss out, so they’re voting people off the mountain. No offense, @kmaustinyoung.bsky.social. That’s just how the votes turned out….)

WOTD “piquing your interest” edition. Pique. Because I didn’t cover ALL of its connotations yesterday. @kmaustinyoung.bsky.social suggested “snique pique” as another wrong way to write “sneak peek,” so we’re considering tossing her off a mountain. Tune in tomorrow….

WOTD “have I piqued your interest?” edition. Peek vs. Peak vs. Pique. If you’re in a fit of pique, go peek at a peak. (Yes, we’ll get into other meanings of “pique” tomorrow.)

You guys? I have hit the big time! Come on, @merriam-webster.com - you're next!

WOTD “head for the hills” edition. Sneak Peek. A “peak” is the height of something. A “peek” is a look at something. A “sneak peak” is a surreptitious mountain. If you’re looking at something before you’re supposed to, that’s a “sneak peek.”

You never use an apostrophe to create a plural. You just don’t. Mrs. Smith and Mr. Smith are, collectively, the Smiths. They are NOT “the Smith’s.” Thanks to @txmere.bsky.social for the great suggestion!

WOTD “bumper crop” edition. Foist vs. Hoist. If all this rain has made your garden go berserk and you’re looking to offload your surplus produce, this one’s for you. Remember to lift from your knees when you’re hoisting. Thanks to @mollybrooks.bsky.social for the excellent suggestion!

I also don’t want to hear about “Catherine and I’s anniversary.” Not because I don’t care about your milestone, but because the grammar is abysmal. Practice proper pronouns, people. 2/2

Hello, new friend!

WOTD “You Are So Sticklandia If….” edition. Chic vs. Sheikh. If you observed any WOTD-able offenses in today’s YASNI edition of the @nashvillescene.com, you are my people. (The person responsible for this one was probably punning, but it’s still worth a whiteboard appearance.)

WOTD “did you miss us?” Edition. Impromptu. Your humble scribe, aka “the giant hand,” was unanticipatedly away from whiteboard for a few days. The sticks were very happy to see me, and we’re ready for all your linguistic needs!

Who in my universe understands how delighted I am by this turn of events?

WOTD “it happened again” edition. Incident vs. Incidence. The first is a discrete event. The second involves recurrence. The pigs are there because I like drawing pigs.

WOTD “cool it” edition. Sherbet vs. Sorbet. Both will help you cool off, but only one contains milk. (Also, it’s “sherbet,” not “sherbert.”) I’ll take a scoop of raspberry in a cup, please!

WOTD “flamin’ red” edition. Festival. Whether it’s a Firecracker Fun Run or a food fest, there are lots of options for pre-fireworks fun on the Fourth. Wherever you are and however you’re celebrating, please be safe, have fun and hydrate!

WOTD “just stay inside” edition. Sudoriferous. This heat is not for the faint of heart. Please be careful if you have to be out and about and in it.

WOTD “it’s the heat AND the humidity” edition. Calefaction. Summer is hitting hard for much of the country this week. Stay inside. Hydrate. Wear sunscreen. You got this!

I use this one a lot, but seldom in reference to appearance. In my world, a piece of writing or a piece of pizza is much more likely to be “gorgeous” than a person is. 2/2

A restaurant meal isn’t just good, it’s world-class. It’s transcendent. “If I died right now, it would be OK.”Please consider this my belated Father’s Day tribute to the superb Dennis W.! 2/2

WOTD “abstract arguments” edition. Abstruse. Welcome to Words I Love Week! I’ll be spotlighting a handful of my personal favorite words. “Abstruse” makes the list because I like the way it sounds. Also, it’s a word that is the thing it describes - it’s an esoteric word for “esoteric.”

WOTD “the reign in Spain” edition. Reign/Rein/Rain. If you’ve ever been tempted to “take the reigns,” “reign in” a project or “rein on somebody’s parade,” this one’s for you.