935. Ever been puzzled by the difference between "slow down" and "slow up"? Curious about how they can possibly mean the same thing (or do they)? We answer a burning listener question about why prepositions can be so darn tricky in English. Join us also as we delve into the fascinating world of minced oaths, examining intriguing words like "zounds" and "gadzooks."

| Transcript: https://grammar-girl.simplecast.com/episodes/slow-up-slow-down/transcript

The "slow down" segment was written by Susan Herman, a former U.S. government multidisciplined language analyst, analytic editor, and instructor.

The "minced oath" segment was by Kirk Hazen, a professor of linguistics at West Virginia University. It was originally published on The Conversation and appears here under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.

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Phrasal verb mysteries and minced oath origins. Night water.

Grammar Girl: For Writers and Language Lovers.

Phrasal verb mysteries and minced oath origins. Night water.