linguistics
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Please Stop Using This Confusing Workplace Jargon
There are phrases that are commonly used, but often misunderstood in a workplace. Here are 10 examples of confusing jargon to avoid.
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Why Do Some People Lose Their Accents While Others Don’t?
The way a person speaks is an intrinsic part of their identity. It’s tribal, marking a speaker as being from one social group or another. Accents are a sign of belonging as much as something that separates communities. Yet we can probably all think of examples of people who seem to have “lost” their regional…
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Use These Canned Responses to Answer Nosy or Inappropriate Questions
No matter where it happens — whether it’s at a family holiday gathering, the office, or among friends — being on the receiving end of a highly personal question can be jarring. Sure, the person asking the question could be well-intentioned, but their request for information that you’d prefer not to share can catch you…
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7 Ways We Use Euphemisms to Speak About the Unspeakable
According to a recent survey from Preply.com, 94% of Americans surveyed use euphemisms, mostly to politely describe bodily functions or sex. We don’t say “I just farted,” we say “I just broke wind.” (I don’t, but some people do. Maybe your grandma?)