educationJul 2, 202627:10pending

Building a beloved resource for word lovers, with Doug Harper

Grammar Girl Quick and Dirty Tips for Better Writing

About this episode

1199. In this bonus episode first released to Grammarpaloozians in January, we look at what it means to turn a "channeled obsession" into a resource used by millions of language fans. Doug Harper shares how he built Etymonline as a solo act, fueled by late-night shifts and "ink in his blood." We also look at the "Nimrod" mystery — from a biblical king to a Bugs Bunny insult — and the obsessive sidequests that Doug and his team take to find the truth behind words.

Find Doug at Etymonline.com.

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