The Word Guy

The Word Guy

The Word Guy

Teacher, writer, editor and language columnist Rob Kyff is an expert with words. Through his weekly columns in several publications, a multitude of published books, as well as in his classrooms, he shares his language and grammar tips and provides fun facts about the evolution of the English language.

Recently Published

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A 'Rig'orous Examination of 'Jury' and 'Jerry' Nov 11, 2026

Q: What's the difference, if any, between the meanings of the terms "jury-rigged" and "jerry-rigged"... Read More

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By What Name, Dr. Franklin, Shall We Call Ourselves? Nov 04, 2026

In observing the 250th anniversary of our nation's founding this year, we're also celebrating the de... Read More

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Why Are Apartment Tenants Up in Arms? Oct 28, 2026

Who's the Word Guy's word guy — the person I turn to when I can't find the origin of a word an... Read More

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In English, There's No Penalty for Clipping Oct 21, 2026

Most of us know that "Halloween" is short for "All Hallow Even," which in turn is an abbreviation fo... Read More