
Building a beloved resource for word lovers, with Doug Harper
From Grammar Girl by QuickAndDirtyTips.com
July 2, 2026 · 27 min · Episode 1199
About this episode
Doug Harper discusses his journey in creating Etymonline and the mysteries of language.
1199. In this bonus episode first released to Grammarpaloozians in January, we look at what it means to turn a "channeled obsession" into a resource used by millions of language fans. Doug Harper shares how he built Etymonline as a solo act, fueled by late-night shifts and "ink in his blood." We also look at the "Nimrod" mystery — from a biblical king to a Bugs Bunny insult — and the obsessive sidequests that Doug and his team take to find the truth behind words. Find Doug at Etymonline.com . 🔗 Join the Grammar Girl Patreon. 🔗 Share your familect recording in Speakpipe or by leaving a voicemail at 833-214-GIRL (833-214-4475) 🔗 Watch my LinkedIn Learning writing courses . 🔗 Subscribe to the newsletter . 🔗 Find an edited transcript . 🔗 Get Grammar Girl books . | HOST: Mignon Fogarty | Grammar Girl is part of the Quick and Dirty Tips podcast network . Audio Engineer: Dan Feierabend Director of Podcast: Holly Hutchings Advertising Operations Specialist: Morgan Christianson Marketing and Video: Nat Hoopes, Rebekah Sebastian Podcast Associate: Maram Elnagheeb | Theme music by Catherine Rannus…
People in this episode
Host: Mignon Fogarty
Guest: Doug Harper
Topics covered
- language resources
- etymology
- obsession with words
- Nimrod mystery
- solo entrepreneurship
Keywords
- Etymonline
- language fans
- Nimrod
- obsessive sidequests
- word lovers
Mentioned in this episode
Organizations: Etymonline, QuickAndDirtyTips.com, Grammar Girl, Acast
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