When Is a Man a Widow? Where Do We Get the Word 'Blurb'? Sci-Fi Versus Fantasy. Bert and Ernie.

<p>895. A listener asked why he's hearing people refer to men as "widows," and we found a surprising history. Also, I recently mentioned a blurb I wrote, and a reader wanted to know where we get that funny word "blurb."</p><p>|<strong> Transcript: </strong><a href="https://grammar-girl.simplecast.com/episodes/when-is-a-man-a-widow">https://grammar-girl.simplecast.com/episodes/when-is-a-man-a-widow</a></p><p>| <a href="https://www.merriam-webster.com/words-at-play/word-history-blurb-publishing">Merriam-Webster "blurb" article</a>.</p><p>| <a href="https://www.quickanddirtytips.com/articles/sci-fi-versus-fantasy/">Grammar Girl sci-fi versus fantasy article</a>.</p><p>| <a href="https://www.quickanddirtytips.com/subscribe">Subscribe to the newsletter for regular updates</a>.</p><p>| <a href="https://j.mp/3oooKmK">Watch my LinkedIn Learning writing courses.</a></p><p>| <a href="https://www.thegamecrafter.com/games/grammar-girl-s-peeve-wars">Peeve Wars card game</a>. </p><p>| <a href="https://bit.ly/GrammarPopBooks">Grammar Girl books</a>. </p><p>| HOST: Mignon Fogarty</p><p>| VOICEMAIL: 833-214-GIRL (833-214-4475) or https://sayhi.chat/grammargirl</p><p>| Grammar Girl is part of <a href="https://www.quickanddirtytips.com/podcasts">the Quick and Dirty Tips podcast network</a>.</p><ul><li>Audio engineer: Nathan Semes</li><li>Editor: Adam Cecil</li><li>Advertising Operations Specialist: Morgan Christianson</li><li>Marketing and Publicity Assistant: Davina Tomlin</li><li>Digital Operations Specialist: Holly Hutchings</li><li>Intern: Kamryn Lacy</li></ul><p>| Theme music by <a href="https://dashboard.simplecast.com/accounts/dd74e7bd-f654-43a6-b249-3f071c897900/shows/e7b2fc84-d82d-4b4d-980c-6414facd80c3/episodes/cfec9501-0b7a-415c-a558-213d584f3fa1/beautifulmusic.co.uk">Catherine Rannus</a>.</p><p>| Grammar Girl Social Media Links: <a href="https://dashboard.simplecast.com/accounts/dd74e7bd-f654-43a6-b249-3f071c897900/shows/e7b2fc84-d82d-4b4d-980c-6414facd80c3/episodes/cfec9501-0b7a-415c-a558-213d584f3fa1/YouTube.com/gramm