About Wordpecker
Why Wordpecker?
If you’re weary of doomscrolling, like learning new things, and could use more humor in your inbox, you’ve come to the right place.
Who created this, and how did it get started?
I’m Toni McLellan, a marketing strategist and humorist—one pays the bills, the other keeps me sane. In 2018, I started collecting new-to-me words and phrases in what became a 50-plus-page Google Doc that froze up so often that I had to start another one. And then another one. I think I’m on the fifth one at this point. In 2021, I decided to start sharing the fun things I come across, and it turns out that other people enjoyed reading about them as much as I liked researching and sharing them.
“I don’t like phrases. Or new things. Or swear words. Or gross stuff. Or sexual innuendos. I’m also fun at parties.”
If you don’t like silly word mashups, the occasional swear word, or sex references, this definitely isn’t the newsletter for you. And that’s okay! There are eleventy billion other newsletters out there. Fly! Be free!
Read what subscribers think of Wordpecker
“A weekly boost in my inbox.”
“Absolutely LOVE reading your newsletter every week! In addition, I get to add new insults like “fucksticks” to my vocab. :)”
“Thank you for this newsletter! Brightens my day when I get it.”
“I truly love it. I look forward to it every week. Your voice just makes me happy.”
“Can’t wait for the next installment!”
“This is such a fun roundup of things I haven’t seen ‘round the internet.”
“As usual, I laugh out loud (really loud 🤣) every time I read this fantastic newsletter! Thank you for putting more laughter in my life.”
“Your newsletter is a fucking delight!”
“Toni’s newsletter is a joyful delight bomb in my inbox every Sunday. Toni puts a lot of work into this thoughtful, funny roundup, and every week I learn something(s) new, giggle-snort, and throw my hand in the air to high-five her in Illinois from my cozy house in Ohio. Seriously, there’s something for everyone in this wonderful newsletter. Get you some!” - Kelly Hambly, who writes Both Things Can Be True.
“You’re amazing/annoying. Where else can I find/hate follow you?”
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Website: heywordpecker.com
Help feather the Wordpecker nest!
This project is a labor of love and I hope you enjoy reading it as much as I love writing it. It takes time to gather and research phrases and place them within our cultural context, and it requires thought and care to write about them. There are no LLM shortcuts happening over here; just good old-fashioned curiosity, research and writing skills, and the occasional ability to land a good punchline.
Please consider either subscribing or making a one-time contribution to support Wordpecker:
🐦⬛Logo and header designs by the incomparable Charlie Trotter.
