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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The Bird Is the Word? Jan 14, 2026

The bird feeder in my backyard has been aflutter this winter with birds and words. First to arrive e... Read More

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Shrewdly, These Words Have Improved Their Meanings Jan 07, 2026

Five hundred years ago, if I had called one of my students "a shrewd lad with dogged ambition," he m... Read More

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Then and Now, Money Talks Dec 31, 2025

Some words are on the money. When the word "farm" entered English during the 1200s, for instance, it... Read More

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Origin of 1920s Term Triggers Flapdoodle Dec 24, 2025

As 2025, the centennial year of "The Great Gatsby" by F. Scott Fitzgerald, comes to a close, let's e... Read More