
Scarecrows and other 'cutthroat' compounds. Reading versus listening. Squirrel Hill Tunnel.
About this episode
1154. This week, we look at "headless" nouns like "scarecrow," "pickpocket," and "breakfast." We look at why these "cutthroat compounds" break the normal rules of English grammar. Then, we look at the science of reading versus listening, including how our brains process text differently from audio and why multitasking can affect your comprehension.
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