How many people is a 'troop'? Why spelling bees are called 'bees.'

About this episode

This episode explores the ambiguity of the term 'troops' and the origins of the term 'spelling bees' along with related phrases.

1186. This week, we look at why the word "troops" is surprisingly ambiguous and what style guides say about using it to refer to individual service members. Then, we look at why spelling bees are called "bees" and explore fun bee-related phrases like "a bee in your bonnet," "make a beeline," and "put the bee on someone."  🔗  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:  Castria Communications 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 . | Grammar Girl Social Media:  YouTube .  TikTok .  Facebook .  Threads .  Instagram .  LinkedIn .  Mastodon .&nbsp…

People in this episode

Host: Mignon Fogarty

Topics covered

• ambiguity of troops
• spelling bees
• bee-related phrases
• style guides
• language

Keywords

• troops
• spelling bees
• language
• style guides
• bee phrases

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Quick and Dirty Tips, Castria Communications, LinkedIn Learning, Grammar Girl

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