Language Rules!

Language, especially English, has a lot of rules. We tackle how and why those rules apply to English with Copy Chief at Random House Benjamin Dreyer, who reminds us that while rules are important, we have to change our minds about some rules. We hear from a few callers, including Allyson who wants to know why the classic "i before e" rule barely applies. Plus, two of this year's Scripps National Spelling Bee "Octochamps" tell us how they made it twenty rounds without one misspelling.

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This episode is sponsored by Progressive Insurance (www.progressive.com), Honeybook (www.honeybook.com code: SCIENCERULES), and MagellanTV (www.magellantv.com/sciencerules).