Says Who?: A Kinder, Funner Usage Guide for Everyone Who Cares About Words

Curzan has a way of making linguistic history feel like a chat over coffee. I’ve always considered myself a bit of a grammar stickler, but this book gave me permission to finally relax my grip on the red pen. The concept of the 'Grammando' versus the 'Wordie' is a stroke of genius that perfectly captures our internal struggle with language change. It’s a spirited defense of why we shouldn’t panic when a new usage pops up in a text or email. The chapters are organized neatly, making it easy to dip in and out during my morning commute. Frankly, it’s a relief to know that even Ben Franklin was a bit of a language rebel. If you’ve ever felt a pang of annoyance at 'singular they,' this masterclass will help you see the beauty in how we speak now. It’s scholarly yet surprisingly funny and accessible to any reader.

This book is an absolute delight for anyone who finds themselves getting heated over 'literally' or 'who vs. whom.' Curzan manages to balance rigorous scholarship with a warm, life-and-let-live attitude that is incredibly refreshing. I loved the deep dives into Shakespeare's 'hot mess' of pronouns—it really puts our modern complaints into perspective. The way she describes punctuation as a supporting character rather than the star of the show changed how I view my own editing process. It’s more than just a usage guide; it’s an invitation to be curious instead of judgmental. I found the chapter on collective nouns particularly helpful for my day-to-day writing at work. Look, if you want to understand the 'why' behind the 'what' of English, this is the book for you. It’s accessible, witty, and deeply human in its approach to communication.

After hearing Curzan on the radio, I knew I had to check out her written work. She has this incredible ability to make grammar feel like an adventure rather than a chore. The distinction between 'good advice' for clarity and 'rules' that have no basis in reality is something every student should be taught. I especially enjoyed the section on the em dash—it's the utility player of punctuation that I use way too often! The book is thought-provoking and encourages a level of empathy that you don't usually find in a grammar guide. It’s a masterclass in how to observe language change without losing your mind. The historical anecdotes about Mark Twain and Benjamin Franklin add a wonderful layer of depth to the discussion. Truly a must-read for any self-proclaimed wordie.

Wow. I never thought I would describe a book about usage as a page-turner, but here we are. Anne Curzan’s exploration of how we judge one another’s speech is both enlightening and incredibly timely. She tackles the 'singular they' and 'who/whom' debates with a level of grace and humor that is rarely seen in linguistic circles. The 'bird-watcher' analogy is one I’ll be using for years to come. It’s an accessible masterclass that manages to be deeply researched without ever feeling inaccessible to the average reader. I loved learning about the prosodic factors behind split infinitives—it makes so much sense now! This book has genuinely changed how I listen to the people around me. It’s a brilliant reminder that language is a tool for connection, not a weapon for correction. Five stars all the way.

Ever wonder why some grammar rules feel like they were invented just to make us feel stupid? Anne Curzan peels back the curtain on the arbitrary nature of 'correctness' in a way that is both academic and accessible. I particularly loved the section on the Oxford comma, which managed to be both informative and genuinely entertaining. While the scholarship is undeniable, there are moments where the prose feels a bit dense for a casual reader. Not gonna lie, I had to reread a few paragraphs about subject and object pronouns to really grasp the historical shift. However, the overall message of being more 'chill' about language is something every writer needs to hear. It’s a thought-provoking look at the tools we use to communicate every single day. Definitely worth a spot on your shelf if you're a word nerd.

Finally got around to reading this after hearing so much buzz in my writing group. As a translator, I spend my life obsessing over nuances, so the idea of being a 'skilled bird-watcher' of language really resonated with me. Curzan provides a much-needed masterclass on why we shouldn't let our inner Grammando bully everyone around us. The discussion on 'singular they' was particularly well-handled and provided historical receipts that are hard to argue with. Sometimes the humor felt a little forced, but the insights into how usage varies across communities were eye-opening. It’s a great reminder that language is a living, breathing thing rather than a static set of laws. I’ll definitely be keeping this nearby for those moments when I’m tempted to leave a snarky comment on a split infinitive. It’s a spirited and necessary contribution to the field that most writers will appreciate.

Picked this up on a whim and found myself surprisingly sucked into the history of the word 'hopefully.' Anne Curzan has a gift for taking specific, often annoying language issues and turning them into fascinating stories about human nature. The scholarship is evident on every page, but she keeps things grounded with relatable examples from modern life. I appreciated the nuance she brings to the 'unattended this' debate, showing that clarity matters more than rigid adherence to old-school rules. Some of the later chapters felt a bit like they were retreading the same ground, but the information was still valuable. It’s the kind of book that makes you want to stop people on the street to tell them about the origin of the capital 'I.' A solid four stars for anyone who wants to feel more empowered by their language choices.

As someone who struggles with my inner grammarian, this was a very cathartic read. Curzan doesn't just tell you to stop being a 'Grammando'; she explains the historical context that makes being a 'Wordie' so much more rewarding. The chapters are short and focused, which makes the academic bent much more digestible for a busy professional. I found her take on 'try and' versus 'try to' to be particularly enlightening and it has already changed how I proofread my emails. There were a couple of sections that felt a bit redundant, but the overall quality of the grammar guidance is excellent. It’s a spirited defense of English in all its messy, evolving glory. I’d recommend it to anyone who wants to sharpen their writing without becoming a total snob about it. A really solid look at how usage shifts.

To be fair, the research in this book is top-notch and Curzan clearly knows her stuff. I picked this up hoping for a lighthearted romp through English quirks, but it leaned much more toward an academic textbook than I anticipated. The chapter-by-chapter structure provides good grammar guidance, but it starts to feel repetitive after the first few examples. Each section follows a similar roadmap: state the rule, explain the history, and then tell us to be more inclusive. While I appreciate the 'wordie' perspective, the delivery felt a bit numbing by the halfway point. It’s a solid resource for reference, but perhaps not the best choice for a straight-through cover-to-cover read. I found myself skimming the later parts about semicolons because the tone just wasn't engaging enough for me. It is informative, just a bit dry for my taste.

Not what I expected when I bought this based on the 'humorous' marketing blurbs. While I respect the author's credentials, the writing style felt incredibly pedantic and weighed down by academic jargon. I was looking for pithy insights into language, but instead, I got long-winded explanations that seemed to circle the same point repeatedly. The constant push to 'relax' about grammar felt less like helpful advice and more like a lecture on why my standards are wrong. To be honest, the structure of the book is quite monotonous, making it a struggle to stay engaged for more than ten pages at a time. I didn't find the 'Grammando' jokes particularly funny after the third or fourth mention. It might work for a linguistics student, but for a general reader, it's a bit of a slog. It just wasn't my cup of tea.