Mufasa, Simba, Fercho and Dylan
One man's quest to dub Disney's "The Lion King" into the indigenous Quechuan language; an interview with filmmaker Augusto Zegarra, director of the documentary "Runa Simi." Visit Lexicon Valley. A Booksmart Studios Production. Episode 318: "Mufasa, Simba, Fercho and Dylan." With Bob Garfield. Edited and produced by Mike Vuolo. Produced by Livia Bloom Ingram. All rights reserved.
Mufasa, Simba, Fercho and Dylan
One man's quest to dub Disney's "The Lion King" into the indigenous Quechuan language; an interview with filmmaker Augusto Zegarra, director of the documentary "Runa Simi." Visit Lexicon Valley. A Booksmart Studios Production. Episode 318: "Mufasa, Simba, Fercho and Dylan." With Bob Garfield. Edited and produced by Mike Vuolo. Produced by Livia Bloom Ingram. All rights reserved. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
How to Kill a Language, Part II
In Part II of our interview with author Sophia Smith Galer, "shared language erosion" — when members of an immigrant family can no longer communicate fluently with each other — and the true cost of letting a language die. Visit Lexicon Valley. A Booksmart Studios Production. Episode 317: "How to Kill a Language, Part II." With Bob Garfield. Edited and produced by Mike Vuolo. Produced by Livia Bloom Ingram. All rights reserved. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
How to Kill a Language, Part II
In Part II of our interview with author Sophia Smith Galer, "shared language erosion" — when members of an immigrant family can no longer communicate fluently with each other — and the true cost of letting a language die. Visit Lexicon Valley. A Booksmart Studios Production. Episode 317: "How to Kill a Language, Part II." With Bob Garfield. Edited and produced by Mike Vuolo. Produced by Livia Bloom Ingram. All rights reserved.
How to Kill a Language, Part I
From Ukraine to Maori to Emilian, a conversation with author Sophia Smith Galer about language suppression, revitalization and death. Visit Lexicon Valley. A Booksmart Studios Production. Episode 316: "How to Kill a Language, Part I." With Bob Garfield. Edited and produced by Mike Vuolo. Produced by Livia Bloom Ingram. All rights reserved.
How to Kill a Language, Part I
From Ukraine to Maori to Emilian, a conversation with author Sophia Smith Galer about language suppression, revitalization and death. Visit Lexicon Valley. A Booksmart Studios Production. Episode 316: "How to Kill a Language, Part I." With Bob Garfield. Edited and produced by Mike Vuolo. Produced by Livia Bloom Ingram. All rights reserved. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Bang for the Buck
An investigation into the nuclear origins of "bang for the buck." Plus, we get buck-naked! Visit Lexicon Valley. A Booksmart Studios Production. Episode 315: "Bang for the Buck." With Bob Garfield and Mike Vuolo. Edited and produced by Mike Vuolo. Produced by Livia Bloom Ingram. All rights reserved.
Bang for the Buck
An investigation into the nuclear origins of "bang for the buck." Plus, we get buck-naked! Visit Lexicon Valley. A Booksmart Studios Production. Episode 315: "Bang for the Buck." With Bob Garfield and Mike Vuolo. Edited and produced by Mike Vuolo. Produced by Livia Bloom Ingram. All rights reserved. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
The Language of Liars
An interview with science-fiction author S.L. Huang, whose experience learning languages informed their most recent novella, The Language of Liars. Visit Lexicon Valley. A Booksmart Studios Production. Episode 314: "The Language of Liars." With Mike Vuolo. Edited and produced by Mike Vuolo. Produced by Livia Bloom Ingram. All rights reserved.
The Language of Liars
An interview with science-fiction author S.L. Huang, whose experience learning languages informed their most recent novella, The Language of Liars. Visit Lexicon Valley. A Booksmart Studios Production. Episode 314: "The Language of Liars." With Mike Vuolo. Edited and produced by Mike Vuolo. Produced by Livia Bloom Ingram. All rights reserved. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
No More Mr. Nice Guy
Was Perry Como the original Mr. Nice Guy? And who again was Perry Como? Mike Vuolo and Bob Garfield explain. Visit Lexicon Valley. A Booksmart Studios Production. Episode 313: "No More Mr. Nice Guy." With Bob Garfield and Mike Vuolo. Edited and produced by Mike Vuolo. Produced by Livia Bloom Ingram. All rights reserved. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
No More Mr. Nice Guy
Was Perry Como the original Mr. Nice Guy? And who again was Perry Como? Mike Vuolo and Bob Garfield explain. Visit Lexicon Valley. A Booksmart Studios Production. Episode 313: "No More Mr. Nice Guy." With Bob Garfield and Mike Vuolo. Edited and produced by Mike Vuolo. Produced by Livia Bloom Ingram. All rights reserved.
Nice Guys Finish Last
What does a cement mixer and a 1948 Cosmopolitan article have to do with the phrase "nice guys finish last"? Mike Vuolo and Bob Garfield explain. Visit Lexicon Valley. A Booksmart Studios Production. Episode 312: "Nice Guys Finish Last." With Bob Garfield and Mike Vuolo. Edited and produced by Mike Vuolo. Produced by Livia Bloom Ingram. All rights reserved.
Nice Guys Finish Last
What does a cement mixer and a 1948 Cosmopolitan magazine article have to do with the phrase Nice Guys Finish Last? Mike Vuolo and Bob Garfield explain. Visit Lexicon Valley. A Booksmart Studios Production. Episode 312: "Nice Guys Finish Last." With Bob Garfield and Mike Vuolo. Edited and produced by Mike Vuolo. Produced by Livia Bloom Ingram. All rights reserved. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Happily Ever Arter
In a bonus segment for all listeners, John McWhorter talks about "arter," a word from Jim's dialect in Twain's Adventures of Huckleberry Finn. Visit Lexicon Valley. A Booksmart Studios Production. Episode 311: "Happily Ever Arter." With John McWhorter. Edited and produced by Mike Vuolo. Produced by Livia Bloom Ingram. All rights reserved.
Happily Ever Arter
In a bonus segment for all listeners, John McWhorter talks about "arter," a word from Jim's dialect in Twain's Adventures of Huckleberry Finn. Visit Lexicon Valley. A Booksmart Studios Production. Episode 311: "Happily Ever Arter." With John McWhorter. Edited and produced by Mike Vuolo. Produced by Livia Bloom Ingram. All rights reserved. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Grand Am
John McWhorter on the truth behind "am" in Black English. Visit Lexicon Valley. A Booksmart Studios Production. Episode 310: "Grand Am." With John McWhorter. Edited and produced by Mike Vuolo. Produced by Livia Bloom Ingram. All rights reserved.
Grand Am
John McWhorter on the truth behind "am" in Black English. Visit Lexicon Valley. A Booksmart Studios Production. Episode 310: "Grand Am." With John McWhorter. Edited and produced by Mike Vuolo. Produced by Livia Bloom Ingram. All rights reserved. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Haut Corn!
John McWhorter asks: What did Black New Yorkers sound like in the 1800s? Find out in this first of a two-part episode. Visit Lexicon Valley. A Booksmart Studios Production. Episode 309: "Haut Corn!" With John McWhorter. Edited and produced by Mike Vuolo. Produced by Livia Bloom Ingram. All rights reserved.
Haut Corn!
John McWhorter asks: What did Black New Yorkers sound like in the 1800s? Find out in this first of a two-part episode. Visit Lexicon Valley. A Booksmart Studios Production. Episode 309: "Haut Corn!" With John McWhorter. Edited and produced by Mike Vuolo. Produced by Livia Bloom Ingram. All rights reserved. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
A Quick Buck
A buck is a male deer. Or a dollar bill. Or a strapping lad. Or an old poker term. Are they related? Visit Lexicon Valley. A Booksmart Studios Production. Episode 308: "A Quick Buck." With Bob Garfield and Mike Vuolo. Edited and produced by Mike Vuolo. Produced by Livia Bloom Ingram. All rights reserved.
A Quick Buck
A buck is a male deer. Or a dollar bill. Or a strapping lad. Or an old poker term. Are they related? Visit Lexicon Valley. A Booksmart Studios Production. Episode 308: "A Quick Buck." With Bob Garfield and Mike Vuolo. Edited and produced by Mike Vuolo. Produced by Livia Bloom Ingram. All rights reserved. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
BONUS: Nice Work If You Can Get It
The Gershwin brothers wrote the hit song "Nice Work If You Can Get It" for a musical in the 1930s. Where did the phrase come from? Visit Lexicon Valley. A Booksmart Studios Production. Bonus: "Nice Work If You Can Get It." With Bob Garfield and Mike Vuolo. Edited and produced by Mike Vuolo. Produced by Livia Bloom Ingram. All rights reserved.
Nice of You to Join Us
What does a Jane Austen novel have in common with a George Carlin routine? Biting commentary on the word nice! Visit Lexicon Valley. A Booksmart Studios Production. Episode 307: "Nice of You to Join Us." With Bob Garfield and Mike Vuolo. Edited and produced by Mike Vuolo. Produced by Livia Bloom Ingram. All rights reserved.
Nice of You to Join Us
What does a Jane Austen novel have in common with a George Carlin routine? Biting commentary on the word nice! Visit Lexicon Valley. A Booksmart Studios Production. Episode 307: "Nice of You to Join Us." With Bob Garfield and Mike Vuolo. Edited and produced by Mike Vuolo. Produced by Livia Bloom Ingram. All rights reserved. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
The Dating Game, Great White Edition
Play along and guess the correct chronological order of the following phrases: Great White Hope, Great White Shark and Great White Way. And check out our other *great* episodes: The Amazing Great: Good is no longer good enough. Everyone is awesome, superlative or great. The G.O.A.T.: An aggrandizing acronym that was seeded in the 1960s and born decades later. Visit Lexicon Valley. A Booksmart Studios Production. Episode 306: "The Dating Game, Great White Edition." With Bob Garfield and Mike Vuolo. Edited and produced by Mike Vuolo. Produced by Livia Bloom Ingram. All rights reserved.
The Dating Game, Great White Edition
Play along and guess the correct chronological order of the following phrases: Great White Hope, Great White Shark and Great White Way. And check out our other *great* episodes: The Amazing Great: Good is no longer good enough. Everyone is awesome, superlative or great. The G.O.A.T.: An aggrandizing acronym that was seeded in the 1960s and born decades later. Visit Lexicon Valley. A Booksmart Studios Production. Episode 306: "The Dating Game, Great White Edition." With Bob Garfield and Mike Vuolo. Edited and produced by Mike Vuolo. Produced by Livia Bloom Ingram. All rights reserved. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
The Original Maverick
Legend has it that Samuel Maverick was a 19th-century rancher who refused to brand his cattle — but was he really such a maverick? Visit Lexicon Valley. A Booksmart Studios Production. Episode 305: "The Original Maverick." With Bob Garfield and Mike Vuolo. Edited and produced by Mike Vuolo. Produced by Livia Bloom Ingram. All rights reserved.
The Original Maverick
Legend has it that Samuel Maverick was a 19th-century rancher who refused to brand his cattle — but was he really such a maverick? Visit Lexicon Valley. A Booksmart Studios Production. Episode 305: "The Original Maverick." With Bob Garfield and Mike Vuolo. Edited and produced by Mike Vuolo. Produced by Livia Bloom Ingram. All rights reserved. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Get One's Goat
On the possible origins of a provocative — and thoroughly caprine — phrase, featuring lexicographer Ben Zimmer. Visit Lexicon Valley. A Booksmart Studios Production. Episode 47: "Get One's Goat." With Bob Garfield, Mike Vuolo and Ben Zimmer. Edited and produced by Mike Vuolo. Produced by Livia Bloom Ingram. All rights reserved.
Get One's Goat
On the possible origins of a provocative — and thoroughly caprine — phrase, featuring lexicographer Ben Zimmer. Visit Lexicon Valley. A Booksmart Studios Production. Episode 47: "Get One's Goat." With Bob Garfield, Mike Vuolo and Ben Zimmer. Edited and produced by Mike Vuolo. Produced by Livia Bloom Ingram. All rights reserved. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
The G.O.A.T.
The aggrandizing acronym that was seeded in the 1960s and born decades later. Visit Lexicon Valley. A Booksmart Studios Production. Episode 304: "The G.O.A.T." With Bob Garfield and Mike Vuolo. Edited and produced by Mike Vuolo. Produced by Livia Bloom Ingram. All rights reserved.
The G.O.A.T.
The aggrandizing acronym that was seeded in the 1960s and born decades later. Visit Lexicon Valley. A Booksmart Studios Production. Episode 304: "The G.O.A.T." With Bob Garfield and Mike Vuolo. Edited and produced by Mike Vuolo. Produced by Livia Bloom Ingram. All rights reserved. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
The Amazing Great
Good is no longer good enough. Everyone is awesome, superlative or great. Visit Lexicon Valley. A Booksmart Studios Production. Episode 280: "The Amazing Great." With Bob Garfield and Mike Vuolo. Edited and produced by Mike Vuolo. Produced by Livia Bloom Ingram. All rights reserved.
The Amazing Great
Good is no longer good enough. Everyone is awesome, superlative or great. Visit Lexicon Valley. A Booksmart Studios Production. Episode 280: "The Amazing Great." With Bob Garfield and Mike Vuolo. Edited and produced by Mike Vuolo. Produced by Livia Bloom Ingram. All rights reserved. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
The Ethereal Omelet
A double dose of beautiful words, including the pleasant-sounding mellifluous — which happens to mean pleasant-sounding! Visit Lexicon Valley. A Booksmart Studios Production. Episode 303: "The Ethereal Omelet." With Bob Garfield and Mike Vuolo. Edited and produced by Mike Vuolo. Produced by Livia Bloom Ingram. All rights reserved.
The Ethereal Omelet
A double dose of beautiful words, including the pleasant-sounding mellifluous — which happens to mean pleasant-sounding! Visit Lexicon Valley. A Booksmart Studios Production. Episode 303: "The Ethereal Omelet." With Bob Garfield and Mike Vuolo. Edited and produced by Mike Vuolo. Produced by Livia Bloom Ingram. All rights reserved. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
The Most Beautiful Word
Poetry Society of America members have chosen the most beautiful word in the English language. Any guesses? Visit Lexicon Valley. A Booksmart Studios Production. Episode 302: "The Most Beautiful Word." With Bob Garfield and Mike Vuolo. Edited and produced by Mike Vuolo. Produced by Livia Bloom Ingram. All rights reserved.
The Most Beautiful Word
Poetry Society of America members have chosen the most beautiful word in the English language. Any guesses? Visit Lexicon Valley. A Booksmart Studios Production. Episode 302: "The Most Beautiful Word." With Bob Garfield and Mike Vuolo. Edited and produced by Mike Vuolo. Produced by Livia Bloom Ingram. All rights reserved. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
BONUS: Stuff and Nonsense
Inspired by our last show, listeners have asked about the origin of two more para words: paranoid and paraphernalia. In this bonus episode, Mike Vuolo has answers. Visit Lexicon Valley. A Booksmart Studios Production. Bonus: "Stuff and Nonsense." With Mike Vuolo. Edited and produced by Mike Vuolo. Produced by Livia Bloom Ingram. All rights reserved.
The Dating Game, Paranormal Edition
Guess the chronological order of these early 20th-century words: paramilitary, paranormal and (drug-related) paraphernalia. Visit Lexicon Valley. A Booksmart Studios Production. Episode 301: "The Dating Game, Paranormal Edition." With Bob Garfield and Mike Vuolo. Edited and produced by Mike Vuolo. Produced by Livia Bloom Ingram. All rights reserved.
The Dating Game, Paranormal Edition
Guess the chronological order of these early 20th-century words: paramilitary, paranormal and (drug-related) paraphernalia. Visit Lexicon Valley. A Booksmart Studios Production. Episode 301: "The Dating Game, Paranormal Edition." With Bob Garfield and Mike Vuolo. Edited and produced by Mike Vuolo. Produced by Livia Bloom Ingram. All rights reserved. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Parasocial Climbing
In our age of AI, the word "parasocial" has gained new relevance. Mike Vuolo and Bob Garfield trace its rise and discuss other "para" words like paragraph and parachute. Visit Lexicon Valley. A Booksmart Studios Production. Episode 300: "Parasocial Climbing." With Bob Garfield and Mike Vuolo. Edited and produced by Mike Vuolo. Produced by Livia Bloom Ingram. All rights reserved.
Parasocial Climbing
In our age of AI, the word "parasocial" has gained new relevance. Mike Vuolo and Bob Garfield trace its rise and discuss other "para" words like paragraph and parachute. Visit Lexicon Valley. A Booksmart Studios Production. Episode 300: "Parasocial Climbing." With Bob Garfield and Mike Vuolo. Edited and produced by Mike Vuolo. Produced by Livia Bloom Ingram. All rights reserved. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
BONUS: Bet!
John McWhorter stakes a wager on the word "bet." Visit Lexicon Valley. A Booksmart Studios Production. Bonus: "Bet!" With John McWhorter. Edited and produced by Mike Vuolo. All rights reserved.
The Lowdown on Lowkey
John McWhorter on the hidden logic of "lowkey." Plus, where did all those terms of venery come from? A flamboyance of flamingos? Visit Lexicon Valley. A Booksmart Studios Production. Episode 299: "The Lowdown on Lowkey." With John McWhorter. Edited and produced by Mike Vuolo. Produced by Livia Bloom Ingram. All rights reserved.
The Lowdown on Lowkey
John McWhorter on the hidden logic of "lowkey." Plus, where did all those terms of venery come from? A flamboyance of flamingos? Visit Lexicon Valley. A Booksmart Studios Production. Episode 299: "The Lowdown on Lowkey." With John McWhorter. Edited and produced by Mike Vuolo. Produced by Livia Bloom Ingram. All rights reserved. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
The Dating Game, Perfect Edition
Play along with our new game and guess the correct chronological order of the following phrases: perfect crime, perfect fit, perfect storm and perfect stranger. Visit Lexicon Valley. A Booksmart Studios Production. Episode 298: "The Dating Game, Perfect Edition." With Bob Garfield and Mike Vuolo. Edited and produced by Mike Vuolo. Produced by Livia Bloom Ingram. All rights reserved.
The Dating Game, Perfect Edition
Play along with our new game and guess the correct chronological order of the following phrases: perfect crime, perfect fit, perfect storm and perfect stranger. Visit Lexicon Valley. A Booksmart Studios Production. Episode 298: "The Dating Game, Perfect Edition." With Bob Garfield and Mike Vuolo. Edited and produced by Mike Vuolo. Produced by Livia Bloom Ingram. All rights reserved. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
A Perfect Episode
"Perfect!" is everywhere. On the evolution and ubiquity of a flawless word. Visit Lexicon Valley. A Booksmart Studios Production. Episode 297: "A Perfect Episode." With Bob Garfield and Mike Vuolo. Edited and produced by Mike Vuolo. Produced by Livia Bloom Ingram. All rights reserved.
A Perfect Episode
"Perfect!" is everywhere. On the evolution and ubiquity of a flawless word. Visit Lexicon Valley. A Booksmart Studios Production. Episode 297: "A Perfect Episode." With Bob Garfield and Mike Vuolo. Edited and produced by Mike Vuolo. Produced by Livia Bloom Ingram. All rights reserved. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
BONUS: To Catch a Swindler
The word "swindle" found its way into English twice, with two very different meanings. Visit Lexicon Valley. A Booksmart Studios Production. Bonus: "To Catch a Swindler." With Mike Vuolo. Edited and produced by Mike Vuolo. Produced by Livia Bloom Ingram. All rights reserved.
I've Been Hornswoggled!
Listener Steven wrote: "I’ve been hornswoggled! So, what exactly has happened to me and when did people start getting hornswoggled? Is it painful?" We have answers. Visit Lexicon Valley. A Booksmart Studios Production. Episode 296: "I've Been Hornswoggled!" With Bob Garfield and Mike Vuolo. Edited and produced by Mike Vuolo. Produced by Livia Bloom Ingram. All rights reserved.
I've Been Hornswoggled!
Listener Steven wrote: "I’ve been hornswoggled! So, what exactly has happened to me and when did people start getting hornswoggled? Is it painful?" We have answers. Visit Lexicon Valley. A Booksmart Studios Production. Episode 296: "I've Been Hornswoggled!" With Bob Garfield and Mike Vuolo. Edited and produced by Mike Vuolo. Produced by Livia Bloom Ingram. All rights reserved. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
BONUS: Flipping the Bird
We've been giving each other the middle finger for millennia, but when did we start "flipping the bird"? Visit Lexicon Valley. A Booksmart Studios Production. Bonus: "Flipping the Bird." With Bob Garfield and Mike Vuolo. Edited and produced by Mike Vuolo. Produced by Livia Bloom Ingram. All rights reserved.
Loose as a Goose
Is there anything particularly loose about a goose — or does that idiom exist only because it rhymes? Bob Garfield and Mike Vuolo investigate. Visit Lexicon Valley. A Booksmart Studios Production. Episode 295: "Loose as a Goose." With Bob Garfield and Mike Vuolo. Edited and produced by Mike Vuolo. Produced by Livia Bloom Ingram. All rights reserved.
Loose as a Goose
Is there anything particularly loose about a goose — or does that idiom exist only because it rhymes? Bob Garfield and Mike Vuolo investigate. Visit Lexicon Valley. A Booksmart Studios Production. Episode 295: "Loose as a Goose." With Bob Garfield and Mike Vuolo. Edited and produced by Mike Vuolo. Produced by Livia Bloom Ingram. All rights reserved. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
BONUS: Whys and Wherefores
"Why did you do it?" As John McWhorter explains, there are several ways to ask that question — and they all mean something slightly different. Visit Lexicon Valley. A Booksmart Studios Production. Bonus: "Whys and Wherefores." With John McWhorter. Edited and produced by Mike Vuolo. Produced by Livia Bloom Ingram. All rights reserved.
The Sound of a Car Backshifting
John McWhorter on language change — from the meaning of wit to the pronunciation of automobile. Plus, a defense of redundancy! Visit Lexicon Valley. A Booksmart Studios production. Episode 294: "The Sound of a Car Backshifting." With John McWhorter. Produced and edited by Mike Vuolo. All rights reserved.
The Sound of a Car Backshifting
John McWhorter on language change — from the meaning of wit to the pronunciation of automobile. Plus, a defense of redundancy! Visit Lexicon Valley. A Booksmart Studios production. Episode 294: "The Sound of a Car Backshifting." With John McWhorter. Produced and edited by Mike Vuolo. All rights reserved. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
BONUS: Going Dutch
In coining phrases like 'Dutch bargain,' 'in Dutch with' and 'Dutch comfort,' someone had it in for the Dutch. Visit Lexicon Valley. A Booksmart Studios production. Bonus: "Going Dutch." With Bob Garfield, Mike Vuolo and Stefan Fatsis. Produced by Livia Bloom Ingram. All rights reserved.
How Do Words Get into the Dictionary?
Getting new words into the dictionary is a rigorous, time consuming process — with no guarantee of success. Visit Lexicon Valley. A Booksmart Studios production. Episode 293: "How Do Words Get in the Dictionary." With Stefan Fatsis and Bob Garfield. Edited and produced by Mike Vuolo. Produced by Livia Bloom Ingram. All rights reserved.
How Do Words Get into the Dictionary?
Getting new words into the dictionary is a rigorous, time consuming process — with no guarantee of success. Visit Lexicon Valley. A Booksmart Studios production. Episode 293: "How Do Words Get into the Dictionary?" With Stefan Fatsis and Bob Garfield. Edited and produced by Mike Vuolo. Produced by Livia Bloom Ingram. All rights reserved. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Look It Up! The Story of the Dictionary.
Unabridged author Stefan Fatsis on the fastidious practice of lexicography and the woman who amassed the single largest collection of dictionaries in history. Visit Lexicon Valley. A Booksmart Studios production. Episode 292: "Look It Up! The Story of the Dictionary." With Stefan Fatsis and Bob Garfield. Edited and produced by Mike Vuolo. Produced by Livia Bloom Ingram. All rights reserved.
Look It Up! The Story of the Dictionary.
"Unabridged" author Stefan Fatsis on the fastidious practice of lexicography and the heiress who amassed the largest collection of dictionaries in history. Visit Lexicon Valley. A Booksmart Studios production. Episode 292: "Look It Up! The Story of the Dictionary." With Stefan Fatsis and Bob Garfield. Edited and produced by Mike Vuolo. Produced by Livia Bloom Ingram. All rights reserved. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Open Season for Racists
Like 'analog watch' and 'snail mail,' 'openly racist' is a retronym — John McWhorter and Mike Vuolo explain. Visit Lexicon Valley. A Booksmart Studios production. Episode 291: "Open Season for Racists." With John McWhorter and Mike Vuolo. Produced by Mike Vuolo. All rights reserved.
Open Season for Racists
Like 'analog watch' and 'snail mail,' 'openly racist' is a retronym — John McWhorter and Mike Vuolo explain. Visit Lexicon Valley. A Booksmart Studios production. Episode 291: "Open Season for Racists." With John McWhorter and Mike Vuolo. Edited and produced by Mike Vuolo. All rights reserved. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
BONUS: Sleeping with the Fishes
A loyal soldier in the fictional Corleone crime family, Luca Brasi now sleeps with the fishes. Was he the first or does that phrase predate The Godfather? Visit Lexicon Valley. A Booksmart Studios production. Bonus: "Sleeping with the Fishes." With Bob Garfield and Mike Vuolo. Produced by Livia Bloom Ingram. All rights reserved.
Playing the Angles
What does St. John the Apostle have in common with Bernie Bernbaum, the sniveling grifter from Miller's Crossing? Angling! Visit Lexicon Valley. A Booksmart Studios production. Episode 290: "Playing the Angles." With Bob Garfield and Mike Vuolo. Produced by Livia Bloom Ingram. All rights reserved.
Playing the Angles
What does St. John the Apostle have in common with Bernie Bernbaum, the sniveling grifter from Miller's Crossing? Angling! Visit Lexicon Valley. A Booksmart Studios production. Episode 290: "Playing the Angles." With Bob Garfield and Mike Vuolo. Edited and produced by Mike Vuolo. Produced by Livia Bloom Ingram. All rights reserved. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
You Get the Gist
During an appearance on The Gist with Mike Pesca, we discussed the curious backstory of, you guessed it, the word gist. Visit Lexicon Valley. A Booksmart Studios production. Episode 289: "You Get the Gist." With Bob Garfield, Mike Pesca, and Mike Vuolo. Produced by Livia Bloom Ingram. Special thanks to Michelle Hunter Pesca. All rights reserved.
You Get the Gist
During an appearance on The Gist with Mike Pesca, we discussed the curious backstory of, you guessed it, the word "gist." Visit Lexicon Valley. A Booksmart Studios production. Episode 289: "You Get the Gist." With Bob Garfield, Mike Pesca, and Mike Vuolo. Edited by Mike Vuolo. Produced by Livia Bloom Ingram. Special thanks to Michelle Hunter Pesca. All rights reserved. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
BONUS: What Is a Blazer?
Derek Guy, the writer behind "Die, Workwear," on the style of sport coat associated with prep schools and date nights. Visit Lexicon Valley. A Booksmart Studios production. Bonus: "What is a Blazer?" With Derek Guy and Mike Vuolo. Produced by Livia Bloom Ingram. All rights reserved.
Derek Guy on the Language of Clothing
A prolific writer on men's fashion, Guy discusses the vocabulary of outerwear and why dress is a form of social language. Visit Lexicon Valley. A Booksmart Studios production. Episode 288: "Derek Guy on the Language of Clothing." With Derek Guy and Mike Vuolo. Produced by Livia Bloom Ingram. All rights reserved.
Derek Guy on the Language of Clothing
A prolific writer on men's fashion, Guy discusses the vocabulary of outerwear and why dress is a form of social language. Visit Lexicon Valley. A Booksmart Studios production. Episode 288: "Derek Guy on the Language of Clothing." With Derek Guy and Mike Vuolo. Edited by Mike Vuolo. Produced by Livia Bloom Ingram. All rights reserved. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
BONUS: Why We Don't Say "the" Ukraine
In addition to its singular and plural forms for nouns, Slovenian has a "dual" — for when there is not one, not many, but precisely two of something. Visit Lexicon Valley. A Booksmart Studios production. Bonus: "Why We Don't Say 'the' Ukraine." With John McWhorter. Produced by Mike Vuolo. All rights reserved.
McWhorter vs. McWhorter
The world was shocked by a controversial article published by "John McWhorter." Here, he sets the record straight. Visit Lexicon Valley. A Booksmart Studios production. Episode 287: "McWhorter vs. McWhorter." With John McWhorter. Produced by Mike Vuolo. All rights reserved.
McWhorter vs. McWhorter
The world was shocked by a controversial article published by "John McWhorter." Here, he sets the record straight. Visit Lexicon Valley. A Booksmart Studios production. Episode 287: "McWhorter vs. McWhorter." With John McWhorter. Edited and produced by Mike Vuolo. All rights reserved. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
A Toast to Toast
Raise a glass to browned bread ... now you're toast! Visit Lexicon Valley. A Booksmart Studios production. Episode 286: "A Toast to Toast." With Bob Garfield and Mike Vuolo. Produced by Livia Bloom Ingram. All rights reserved.
A Toast to Toast
Raise a glass to browned bread ... now you're toast! Visit Lexicon Valley. A Booksmart Studios production. Episode 286: "A Toast to Toast." With Bob Garfield and Mike Vuolo. Edited by Mike Vuolo. Produced by Livia Bloom Ingram. All rights reserved. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
All the Rage Bait
Oxford English Dictionary editor Fiona McPherson talks to Mike Vuolo about the terms that caught her attention in 2025. Visit Lexicon Valley. A Booksmart Studios production. Episode 285: "All the Rage Bait." With Fiona McPherson and Mike Vuolo. Produced by Mike Vuolo. All rights reserved.
All the Rage Bait
Oxford English Dictionary editor Fiona McPherson talks to Mike Vuolo about the terms that caught her attention in 2025. Visit Lexicon Valley. A Booksmart Studios production. Episode 285: "All the Rage Bait." With Fiona McPherson and Mike Vuolo. Edited by Mike Vuolo. All rights reserved. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
BONUS: From Onism to Perdickety
John Koenig weighs in on a few of Mike Vuolo's obscure sorrows — what are yours? Visit Lexicon Valley. A Booksmart Studios production. Bonus: "From Onism to Perdickety." With Bob Garfield, John Koenig, and Mike Vuolo. Produced by Livia Bloom Ingram. All rights reserved.
The Dictionary of Obscure Sorrows
Author John Koenig talks about inventing words for those subtle emotions that hitherto had no name. Visit Lexicon Valley. A Booksmart Studios production. Episode 284: "The Dictionary of Obscure Sorrows." With Bob Garfield, John Koenig, and Mike Vuolo. Produced by Livia Bloom Ingram. All rights reserved.
The Dictionary of Obscure Sorrows
Author John Koenig talks about inventing words for those subtle emotions that hitherto had no name. Visit Lexicon Valley. A Booksmart Studios production. Episode 284: "The Dictionary of Obscure Sorrows." With Bob Garfield, John Koenig, and Mike Vuolo. Edited by Mike Vuolo. Produced by Livia Bloom Ingram. All rights reserved. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
6 7: Everything You Don't Know About the Word of the Year
Mike Vuolo and Bob Garfield join Mike Pesca of The Gist to talk about the long, strange journey of 6 7, from rapper Skrilla to the basketball court, from the classroom to the Word of the Year. Visit Lexicon Valley. A Booksmart Studios production. Episode 283: "6 7: Everything You Don't Know About the Word of the Year." With Bob Garfield, Mike Pesca, and Mike Vuolo. Produced by Livia Bloom Ingram. Special thanks to Michelle Hunter Pesca. All rights reserved.
6 7: Everything You Don't Know About the Word of the Year
Mike Vuolo and Bob Garfield join Mike Pesca of The Gist to talk about the long, strange journey of 6 7, from rapper Skrilla to the basketball court, from the classroom to the Word of the Year. Visit Lexicon Valley. A Booksmart Studios production. Episode 283: "6 7: Everything You Don't Know About the Word of the Year." With Bob Garfield, Mike Pesca, and Mike Vuolo. Edited by Mike Vuolo. Produced by Livia Bloom Ingram. Special thanks to Michelle Hunter Pesca. All rights reserved. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
BONUS: The Original Maverick
Legend has it that Samuel Maverick was a 19th-century rancher who refused to brand his cattle — but was he really such a maverick? Visit Lexicon Valley. A Booksmart Studios production. Bonus: "The Original Maverick." With Bob Garfield and Mike Vuolo. Produced by Livia Bloom Ingram. All rights reserved.
Gobbledygook Explained
Gobbledygook sounds like one of those words that somebody just made up — so is it? Visit Lexicon Valley. A Booksmart Studios production. Episode 282: "Gobbledygook Explained." With Bob Garfield and Mike Vuolo. Produced by Livia Bloom Ingram. All rights reserved.
Gobbledygook Explained
Gobbledygook sounds like one of those words that somebody just made up — so is it? Visit Lexicon Valley. A Booksmart Studios production. Episode 282: "Gobbledygook Explained." With Bob Garfield and Mike Vuolo. Edited by Mike Vuolo. Produced by Livia Bloom Ingram. All rights reserved. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
BONUS: The Fuss Over Nonplussed
Are you nonplussed over the misuse of nonplussed? You're not the only one. Visit Lexicon Valley. A Booksmart Studios production. Bonus: "The Fuss Over Nonplussed." With Bob Garfield and Mike Vuolo. Produced by Livia Bloom Ingram. All rights reserved.
BONUS: Laugh Till You Cringe
Modern-day Cringe Comedy was born in the 1990s — but it didn't get that name until later. Visit Lexicon Valley. A Booksmart Studios production. Bonus: "Laugh Till You Cringe." With Bob Garfield and Mike Vuolo. Produced by Mike Vuolo. All rights reserved.
Gen Alpha Thinks You're Cringe
Our parents were cringe-inducing but we're just cringe. Visit Lexicon Valley. A Booksmart Studios production. Episode 281: "Gen Alpha Thinks You're Cringe." With Bob Garfield and Mike Vuolo. Produced by Livia Bloom Ingram. All rights reserved.
Gen Alpha Thinks You're Cringe
Our parents were cringe-inducing but we're just cringe. Visit Lexicon Valley. A Booksmart Studios production. Episode 281: "Gen Alpha Thinks You're Cringe." With Bob Garfield and Mike Vuolo. Edited by Mike Vuolo. Produced by Livia Bloom Ingram. All rights reserved. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
BONUS: Ghost Town
Von Glitschka, aka @vonster, is cited by the Oxford English Dictionary for his early use of *ghosted* on Twitter. Mike Vuolo tracks him down. Visit Lexicon Valley. A Booksmart Studios production. With Von Glitschka and Mike Vuolo. Produced by Livia Bloom Ingram. All rights reserved.
BONUS: Grate Beyond
First we shredded ginger root and stale bread and then a harsh sound landed on the ear. Visit Lexicon Valley. A Booksmart Studios production. Bonus: "Grate Beyond." With Bob Garfield and Mike Vuolo. Produced by Livia Bloom Ingram. All rights reserved.
The Amazing Great
Good is no longer good enough. Everyone is awesome, superlative or just great. Visit Lexicon Valley. A Booksmart Studios production. Episode 280: "The Amazing Great." With Bob Garfield and Mike Vuolo. Produced by Livia Bloom Ingram. All rights reserved.
The Amazing Great
Good is no longer good enough. Everyone is awesome, superlative or just great. Visit Lexicon Valley. A Booksmart Studios production. Episode 280: "The Amazing Great." With Bob Garfield and Mike Vuolo. Edited by Mike Vuolo. Produced by Livia Bloom Ingram. All rights reserved. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
BONUS: Is Unique Still One of a Kind?
Over started out as a comparative, meaning "more up," but then it changed. Likewise, unique no longer means unique. Visit Lexicon Valley. A Booksmart Studios production. Bonus: "Is Unique Still One of a Kind?" With Bob Garfield and Mike Vuolo. Produced by Livia Bloom Ingram. All rights reserved.
BONUS: In a Hot Minute
John muses more about expressions involving the word minute. Visit Lexicon Valley. A Booksmart Studios production. Bonus: "In a Hot Minute." With John McWhorter. Produced by Mike Vuolo. All rights reserved.
It's Been a Minute
Returning as the primary hosts of Lexicon Valley, Mike Vuolo and Bob Garfield speak to John McWhorter about understatement and hyperbole in Black English. Visit Lexicon Valley. A Booksmart Studios production. Episode 279: "It's Been a Minute." With Bob Garfield, John McWhorter, and Mike Vuolo. Produced by Livia Bloom Ingram. All rights reserved.
It's Been a Minute
Returning as the primary hosts of Lexicon Valley, Mike Vuolo and Bob Garfield speak to John McWhorter about understatement and hyperbole in Black English. Visit Lexicon Valley. A Booksmart Studios production. Episode 279: "It's Been a Minute." With Bob Garfield, John McWhorter, and Mike Vuolo. Edited by Mike Vuolo. Produced by Livia Bloom Ingram. All rights reserved. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Ask Not?
Richard Tofel, author of Sound the Trumpet: The Making of John F. Kennedy’s Inaugural Address, reveals the startling authorship behind JFK’s most famous words. Visit Lexicon Valley. A Booksmart Studios production. Episode 34: "Ask Not?" With Bob Garfield, Richard Tofel, and Mike Vuolo. All rights reserved.
Ask Not?
Richard Tofel, author of Sound the Trumpet: The Making of John F. Kennedy’s Inaugural Address, reveals the startling authorship behind JFK’s most famous words. Visit Lexicon Valley. A Booksmart Studios production. Episode 34: "Ask Not?" With Bob Garfield, Richard Tofel, and Mike Vuolo. Edited by Mike Vuolo. All rights reserved. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
The American Accent Came First
How did people speak during the Revolutionary War? John has a number of fascinating observations about the way English was used back then — including the accents! Visit Lexicon Valley. A Booksmart Studios production. Episode 278: "The American Accent Came First." With John McWhorter. Produced and edited by Mike Vuolo. All rights reserved.
The American Accent Came First
What did English sound like during the Revolutionary War? John has a number of fascinating observations about the way the language was spoken back then — including the accents! Visit Lexicon Valley. A Booksmart Studios production. Episode 278: "The American Accent Came First." With John McWhorter. Produced and edited by Mike Vuolo. All rights reserved. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
BONUS: Before Ain't, There Was Ben't
As John McWhorter explains, pure chance plays a big role in the way many parts of our language evolve. Visit Lexicon Valley. A Booksmart Studios production. Bonus: "Before Ain't, There Was Ben't." With John McWhorter. Produced and edited by Mike Vuolo. All rights reserved.
Oversleeping at the Sleepover
'Over' isn’t just the opposite of 'under' and 'off' is not necessarily the opposite of 'on.' Visit Lexicon Valley. A Booksmart Studios production. Episode 277: "Oversleeping at the Sleepover." With John McWhorter. Produced and edited by Mike Vuolo. All rights reserved. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Oversleeping at the Sleepover
Over isn’t just the opposite of under and off is not necessarily the opposite of on. Visit Lexicon Valley. A Booksmart Studios production. Episode 277: "Oversleeping at the Sleepover." With John McWhorter. Produced and edited by Mike Vuolo. All rights reserved.
The Story of Us
John talks about the subject of his new book from Avery Publishing — Pronoun Trouble: The Story of Us in Seven Little Words. Visit Lexicon Valley. A Booksmart Studios production. Episode 276: "The Story of Us." With John McWhorter. Produced and edited by Mike Vuolo. All rights reserved.
The Story of Us
John talks about the subject of his new book from Avery Publishing — Pronoun Trouble: The Story of Us in Seven Little Words. Visit Lexicon Valley. A Booksmart Studios production. Episode 276: "The Story of Us." With John McWhorter. Produced and edited by Mike Vuolo. All rights reserved. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
BONUS: A Last Word on Thai
The origins of Thai were a bit fuzzy until the discovery in the 1990s of a language called Buyang. Visit Lexicon Valley. A Booksmart Studios production. Bonus: "A Last Word on Thai." With John McWhorter. Produced and edited by Mike Vuolo. All rights reserved.
Fire, Die, Rim
The Thai words for fire, die and rim sound an awful lot like the English words fire, die and rim. How could that be? Visit Lexicon Valley. A Booksmart Studios production. Episode 275: "Fire, Die, Rim." With John McWhorter. Produced and edited by Mike Vuolo. All rights reserved. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Fire, Die, Rim
The Thai words for fire, die and rim sound an awful lot like the English words fire, die and rim. How could that be? Visit Lexicon Valley. A Booksmart Studios production. Episode 275: "Fire, Die, Rim." With John McWhorter. Produced and edited by Mike Vuolo. All rights reserved.
BONUS: THis, THat and THe OTHer THing
Have there always been multiple "th" sounds in English — than vs. thank, for example — or did one of them likely come first. John explains. Visit Lexicon Valley. A Booksmart Studios production. Bonus: "THis, THat and THe OTHer THing." With John McWhorter. Produced and edited by Mike Vuolo. All rights reserved.
BONUS: This Little Piggy
As a follow-up to his recent episode about rabbits and bunnies, John talks pigs and piggies! Visit Lexicon Valley. A Booksmart Studios production. Bonus: "This Little Piggy." With John McWhorter. Produced and edited by Mike Vuolo. All rights reserved.
Hither and Yon
Words like thence and thither are all but obsolete in English, but they were actually quite useful! Visit Lexicon Valley. A Booksmart Studios production. Episode 274: "Hither and Yon." With John McWhorter. Produced and edited by Mike Vuolo. All rights reserved.
Hither and Yon
Words like thence and thither are all but obsolete in English, but they were actually quite useful!The Thai words for fire, die and rim sound an awful lot like the English words 'fire,' 'die' and 'rim.' How could that be? Visit Lexicon Valley. A Booksmart Studios production. Episode 274: "Hither and Yon." With John McWhorter. Produced and edited by Mike Vuolo. All rights reserved. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Down the Rabbit Hole
Do you know the difference between a rabbit and a hare? And what then is a bunny? Follow John through the etymological warrens of these furry creatures. Visit Lexicon Valley. A Booksmart Studios production. Episode 273: "Down the Rabbit Hole." With John McWhorter. Produced and edited by Mike Vuolo. All rights reserved.
Down the Rabbit Hole
Do you know the difference between a rabbit and a hare? And what then is a bunny? Follow John through the etymological warrens of these furry creatures. Visit Lexicon Valley. A Booksmart Studios production. Episode 273: "Down the Rabbit Hole." With John McWhorter. Produced and edited by Mike Vuolo. All rights reserved. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
BONUS: Occupy!
Occupied, like the word busy we discussed in the previous episode, has an interesting — and at times sordid — past. John explains. Visit Lexicon Valley. A Booksmart Studios production. Bonus: "Occupy!" With John McWhorter. Produced and edited by Mike Vuolo. All rights reserved.
Giving You the Business
It may seem apparent how we got from busyness to business, but the origins of the word “busy” itself are shrouded in mystery. Visit Lexicon Valley. A Booksmart Studios production. Episode 272: "Giving You the Business." With John McWhorter. Produced and edited by Mike Vuolo. All rights reserved.
Giving You the Business
It may seem apparent how we got from busyness to business, but the origins of the word “busy” itself are shrouded in mystery. Visit Lexicon Valley. A Booksmart Studios production. Episode 272: "Giving You the Business." With John McWhorter. Produced and edited by Mike Vuolo. All rights reserved. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
BONUS: The Key to Romance
The single word "key" illustrates the sheer variety of spelling and pronunciation among the many Romance languages. John McWhorter explains. Visit Lexicon Valley. A Booksmart Studios production. Bonus: "The Key to Romance." With John McWhorter. Produced and edited by Mike Vuolo. All rights reserved. Visit www.BooksmartStudios.com if you're not already a subscriber!
When Is Code-Switching Inappropriate?
As a daily listener to WNYC Public Radio in New York City, John has noticed that a certain announcer frequently mispronounces words on air. He has thoughts. Visit Lexicon Valley. A Booksmart Studios production. Episode 271: "When Is Code-Switching Inappropriate?" With John McWhorter. Produced and edited by Mike Vuolo. All rights reserved.Website: booksmartstudios.com/LexiconValley
When Is Code-Switching Inappropriate?
As a daily listener to WNYC Public Radio in New York City, John has noticed that a certain announcer frequently mispronounces words on air. He has thoughts. Visit Lexicon Valley. A Booksmart Studios production. Episode 271: "When Is Code-Switching Inappropriate?" With John McWhorter. Produced and edited by Mike Vuolo. All rights reserved. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
BONUS: What Proto-Indo-European Sounded Like
The Sheep and the Horse is an old fable that has been translated by linguists into Proto-Indo-European. John reads a few lines — and tells us what they mean — so we can hear the language for ourselves. Visit Lexicon Valley. A Booksmart Studios production. Bonus: "What Proto-Indo-European Sounded Like." With John McWhorter. Produced and edited by Mike Vuolo. All rights reserved.
The World's Largest Family
Working backwards from existing languages, linguists have had great success reconstructing Proto-Indo-European. Does that mean we can do the same for all language families? Visit Lexicon Valley. A Booksmart Studios production. Episode 270: "The World's Largest Family." With John McWhorter. Produced and edited by Mike Vuolo. All rights reserved. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
The World's Largest Family
Working backwards from existing languages, linguists have had great success reconstructing Proto-Indo-European. Does that mean we can do the same for all language families? Visit Lexicon Valley. A Booksmart Studios production. Episode 270: "The World's Largest Family." With John McWhorter. Produced and edited by Mike Vuolo. All rights reserved.
English Is Practically Naked
A cyclone came through and blew off most of English’s clothes, says John, in Part II of his discussion of Indo-European. Visit Lexicon Valley. A Booksmart Studios production. Episode 269: "English is Practically Naked." With John McWhorter. Produced and edited by Mike Vuolo. All rights reserved.
English Is Practically Naked
A cyclone came through and blew off most of English’s clothes, says John, in Part II of his discussion of Indo-European. Visit Lexicon Valley. A Booksmart Studios production. Episode 269: "English is Practically Naked." With John McWhorter. Produced and edited by Mike Vuolo. All rights reserved. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
BONUS: Is the Bird Named for the Country?
An ancillary question arose during the episode about Indo-European. Why is Turkey called Turkey anyway, both the country and the bird? Visit Lexicon Valley. A Booksmart Studios production. Bonus: "Is the Bird Named for the Country?" With John McWhorter. Produced and edited by Mike Vuolo. All rights reserved.
Family Ties
There are at least five defining features among hundreds of related languages from English to Hindi to Russian. And what does any of that have to do with the Hittites? Visit Lexicon Valley. A Booksmart Studios production. Episode 268: "Family Ties." With John McWhorter. Produced and edited by Mike Vuolo. All rights reserved. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Family Ties
There are at least five defining features among hundreds of related languages from English to Hindi to Russian. And what does any of that have to do with the Hittites? Visit Lexicon Valley. A Booksmart Studios production. Episode 268: "Family Ties" With John McWhorter. Produced and edited by Mike Vuolo. All rights reserved.
BONUS: More to Go
In some languages, the word go can take on meanings that don’t seem to have anything at all to do with moving from one place to another. Visit Lexicon Valley. A Booksmart Studios production. Bonus: "More to Go." With John McWhorter. Produced and edited by Mike Vuolo. All rights reserved.
Going Deep
The simple verb to go quickly gets complex in just about any language and English is no exception. Visit Lexicon Valley. A Booksmart Studios production. Episode 267: "Going Deep." With John McWhorter. Produced and edited by Mike Vuolo.
BONUS: Come Again
The path that come (or cum as it’s often spelled) took to reach orgasm may very well have gone through beer. Visit Lexicon Valley. A Booksmart Studios production. Bonus: "Come Again." With John McWhorter. Produced and edited by Mike Vuolo. All rights reserved.Website: booksmartstudios.com/LexiconValley
Come Under Scrutiny
What does the bat in “acrobat” have to do with the word come? Visit Lexicon Valley. A Booksmart Studios production. Episode 266: "Come Under Scrutiny." With John McWhorter. Produced and edited by Mike Vuolo. All rights reserved.
BONUS: Our Bodies, Ourselves, Our Buttocks
In English, we say “myself” when referring to our “self” — but some languages use the equivalent of “myskin” or “mybody.” Visit Lexicon Valley. A Booksmart Studios production. Bonus: "Our Bodies, Ourselves, Our Buttocks." With John McWhorter. Produced and edited by Mike Vuolo. All rights reserved.
Have Your Own Damn Self a Merry Little Christmas
Reflexive pronouns are redundant in a way, sure, but they’re also quite common in many languages. Visit Lexicon Valley. A Booksmart Studios production. Episode 265: "Have Your Own Damn Self a Merry Little Christmas." With John McWhorter. Produced and edited by Mike Vuolo. All rights reserved.com/LexiconValley
BONUS: From Grunts to Special Grunts
One word seems as likely as any other, and more likely than most, to have been the very first. Visit Lexicon Valley. A Booksmart Studios production. Bonus: "From Grunts to Special Grunts." With John McWhorter. Produced and edited by Mike Vuolo. All rights reserved.
BONUS: From Bethune to Rascoe
For Mary McLeod Bethune to be taken seriously in the early 20th century, she had to learn to speak like Eleanor Roosevelt. Visit Lexicon Valley. A Booksmart Studios production. Bonus: "From Bethune to Rascoe." With John McWhorter. Produced and edited by Mike Vuolo. All rights reserved.
When Did People Start Talking?
There’s good reason to believe that sophisticated speech began long before homo sapiens hit the scene. Visit Lexicon Valley. A Booksmart Studios production. Episode 264: "When Did People Start Talking?" With John McWhorter. Produced and edited by Mike Vuolo. All rights reserved.
Who's Afraid of Ayesha Rascoe?
Does Ayesha Rascoe have a good radio voice? Not according to many NPR listeners, who find her loud, high-pitched and generally grating. Visit Lexicon Valley. A Booksmart Studios production. Episode 263: "Who's Afraid of Ayesha Rascoe?" With John McWhorter. Produced and edited by Mike Vuolo. All rights reserved.
BONUS: What Is Yiddish?
Yiddish, Ladino, Bukharian and other languages of the Jewish diaspora are not unlike what is happening with Miami English — only much further along. Visit Lexicon Valley. A Booksmart Studios production. Bonus: "What Is Yiddish?" With John McWhorter. Produced and edited by Mike Vuolo. All rights reserved.
What Is Miami English?
A recent study suggests that a new dialect is emerging in the southern part of Florida. Visit Lexicon Valley. A Booksmart Studios production. Episode 262: "What Is Miami English?" With John McWhorter. Produced and edited by Mike Vuolo. All rights reserved.
BONUS: I Lighted Them Downstairs
Additional thoughts on the transcript of a 200-year-old murder trial. Visit Lexicon Valley. A Booksmart Studios production. Bonus: "I Lighted Them Downstairs." With John McWhorter. Produced and edited by Mike Vuolo. All rights reserved.
Report of the Trial of Levi Weeks
The trial transcript of a 225-year-old murder is filled with fascinating evidence of the way we used to talk. Visit Lexicon Valley. A Booksmart Studios production. Episode 261: "Report of the Trial of Levi Weeks." With John McWhorter. Produced and edited by Mike Vuolo. All rights reserved.
BONUS: I Got Beat
More on the collapse of English verbs. Visit Lexicon Valley. A Booksmart Studios production. Bonus: "I Got Beat." With John McWhorter. Produced and edited by Mike Vuolo. All rights reserved.
I Got My Nails Did!
Many English verbs have three forms — sing, sang and sung, for example. The problem is that speakers seem to want only two. Visit Lexicon Valley. A Booksmart Studios production. Episode 260: "I Got My Nails Did!" With John McWhorter. Produced and edited by Mike Vuolo. All rights reserved.
BONUS: Frame Job
Is the word fro just “from” without the m? Visit Lexicon Valley. A Booksmart Studios production. Bonus: "Frame Job" With John McWhorter. Produced and edited by Mike Vuolo. All rights reserved.
To v. Too
Too — whether about excess, addition or contradiction — evolved from to. Visit Lexicon Valley. A Booksmart Studios production. Episode 259: "To vs. Too." With John McWhorter. Produced and edited by Mike Vuolo. All rights reserved.
BONUS: When Want Ousted Will
Vacuous and vanity are, believe it or not, related to want. Visit Lexicon Valley. A Booksmart Studios production. Bonus: "When Want Ousted Will." With John McWhorter. Produced and edited by Mike Vuolo. All rights reserved.
Picture of Health
Some languages adopt their “health” word from the concept of wholeness — a metaphor that makes perfect sense. Other languages, however, adopt their “health” word from trees. Visit Lexicon Valley. A Booksmart Studios production. Episode 258: "Picture of Health." With John McWhorter. Produced and edited by Mike Vuolo. All rights reserved.
BONUS: Playwright. Ghostwrite. Yeah, Right.
What exactly is “wrought” iron and what does it have to do with the word wright? Visit Lexicon Valley. A Booksmart Studios production. Bonus: "Playwright. Ghostwrite. Yeah, Right." With John McWhorter. Produced and edited by Mike Vuolo. All rights reserved.
The Right Stuff
Like the French word droit, English’s right has taken on a number of useful metaphorical meanings. Visit Lexicon Valley. A Booksmart Studios production. Episode 257: "The Right Stuff." With John McWhorter. Produced and edited by Mike Vuolo. All rights reserved.
Age, Color, Origin, Material
In this favorite from the archives, John discusses some unwritten rules of English that can be remarkably difficult for a learner of English to master. Visit Lexicon Valley. A Booksmart Studios production. Episode 95: "Age, Color, Origin, Material." With John McWhorter. Produced and edited by Mike Vuolo. All rights reserved.
BONUS: In Flagrante Delicto
Relic, derelict and delict all contain the root lic, but where does lic come from? Visit Lexicon Valley. A Booksmart Studios production. Bonus: "In Flagrante Delicto." With John McWhorter. Produced and edited by Mike Vuolo. All rights reserved.
One for the Record Books
The word “record” can be broken down into two parts, the re and the cord. But what do those parts even mean? Visit Lexicon Valley. A Booksmart Studios production. Episode 256: "One for the Record Books." With John McWhorter. Produced and edited by Mike Vuolo. All rights reserved.
Why Do People in Old Movies Talk Like That?
An encore presentation of a much loved episode about the speech patterns of Bette Davis, George Gershwin, Louis Armstrong and countless other Americans of the 1930s. Why do they all sound like that? Visit Lexicon Valley. A Booksmart Studios production. Episode 96: "Why Do People in Old Movies Talk Like That?" With John McWhorter. Produced and edited by Mike Vuolo. All rights reserved.
BONUS: Master of Our Domain
It used to be that “yesterday” could mean either the day before or the day after today. Context was king … just like with master. Visit Lexicon Valley. A Booksmart Studios production. Bonus: "Master of Our Domain." With John McWhorter. Produced and edited by Mike Vuolo. All rights reserved.
Past Master
So many of our words have ugly associations that are particular to a historical time or event. Should we expunge them entirely from our vocabulary? Can we? Visit Lexicon Valley. A Booksmart Studios production. Episode 255: "Past Master." With John McWhorter. Produced and edited by Mike Vuolo. All rights reserved.
BONUS: Jane Austen Used Wont. Why Don't We?
Wish, wont and win are all children of the same word. Visit Lexicon Valley. A Booksmart Studios production. Bonus: "Jane Austen Used Wont. Why Don't We?" With John McWhorter. Produced and edited by Mike Vuolo. All rights reserved.
Are You Tryna Hear This?
Words that come to mean “want” often start out meaning something else. Take “want,” for example. Visit Lexicon Valley. A Booksmart Studios production. Episode 254: "Are You Tryna Hear This?" With John McWhorter. Produced and edited by Mike Vuolo. All rights reserved.
BONUS: Intelligence = Understanding
Turn to any page in the Henry James novel The Ambassadors — any random page at all — and you will find evidence of the English language having evolved. Visit Lexicon Valley. A Booksmart Studios production. Bonus: "Intelligence = Understanding" With John McWhorter. Produced and edited by Mike Vuolo. All rights reserved.
The Ambassadors
Henry James wrote his final novels just over a century ago — and yet somehow they are far less accessible than works written much earlier. Visit Lexicon Valley. A Booksmart Studios production. Episode 253: "The Ambassadors." With John McWhorter. Produced and edited by Mike Vuolo. All rights reserved.
BONUS: You Had Better!
What do behave, receipt and a cop have in common? Visit Lexicon Valley. A Booksmart Studios production. Bonus: "You Had Better!" With John McWhorter. Produced and edited by Mike Vuolo. All rights reserved.
Apostrophe S
Possession is more or less about ownership, and we denote that in English by adding ’s to the end of a word. But of course there’s far more to the story than just that. X: @lexiconvalley Facebook: facebook.com/LexiconValley Website: booksmartstudios.com/LexiconValley
BONUS: Why Do We "Bear" Children?
Bear, born and birth all evolved from the same root. Visit Lexicon Valley. A Booksmart Studios production. Bonus: "Why Do We 'Bear' Children?" With John McWhorter. Produced and edited by Mike Vuolo. All rights reserved.
Is "Knocked Up" Racist?
There’s a rumor going around social networks that “knocked up” traces back to American slave trading. Is there any evidence for that etymology? Visit Lexicon Valley. A Booksmart Studios production. Episode 251: "Is 'Knocked Up' Racist?" With John McWhorter. Produced and edited by Mike Vuolo. All rights reserved.
BONUS: From Y'all to Yo?
Does Pervis Jackson say “y’all” or “yo” during the 1976 song “Toni My Love” by The Spinners? It’s hard to tell — which may be the point. Visit Lexicon Valley. A Booksmart Studios production. Bonus: "From Y'all to Yo?" With John McWhorter. Produced and edited by Mike Vuolo. All rights reserved.
BONUS: What Are You Gonna Do with This Place?
Lahu — spoken in China, Thailand and other parts of Southeast Asia — beautifully illustrates how learning a new language is never so simple as merely learning vocabulary. Visit Lexicon Valley. A Booksmart Studios production. Bonus: "What Are You Gonna Do with This Place?" With John McWhorter. Produced and edited by Mike Vuolo. All rights reserved.
What a Young Brain Can Do
It’s tempting to imagine that a sentence will translate rather neatly, word by word, from one language to another. It’s also naive. Visit Lexicon Valley. A Booksmart Studios production. Episode 250: "What a Young Brain Can Do." With John McWhorter. Produced and edited by Mike Vuolo. All rights reserved.
BONUS: Apples Please Me
English speakers might say that they “like apples” — however, in other languages, that sentiment is expressed more accurately as something like “apples please me.” Are we all thinking the same thing? Visit Lexicon Valley. A Booksmart Studios production. Bonus: "Apples Please Me." With John McWhorter. Produced and edited by Mike Vuolo. All rights reserved.
What Do You Talk?
The book and lyrics of The Music Man are replete with everyday, ordinary dialogue that, nevertheless, demonstrates how English often works. Visit Lexicon Valley. A Booksmart Studios production. Bonus: "What Do You Talk?" With John McWhorter. Produced and edited by Mike Vuolo. All rights reserved.
BONUS: Yo!
The word “yo” — as in “Yo Adrian, I did it!” — is thought to have originated sometime in the 1940s or so among Italians in Philadelphia. But there’s a case to be made that it traces back to Old English. Visit Lexicon Valley. A Booksmart Studios production. Bonus: "Yo!" With John McWhorter. Produced and edited by Mike Vuolo. All rights reserved.
The Problem With You
English used to have a more or less typical array of second person pronouns, with thou and thee for the singular — subject and object cases, respectively — and ye and you for the plural. So what happened? X: @lexiconvalley Facebook: facebook.com/LexiconValley Website: booksmartstudios.com/LexiconValley
BONUS: Rodney Dangerfield Redux
The South American creole Sranan contains a perfect example of how the “Rodney Dangerfield pronoun” — as we have taken to calling it — can cement its way into the grammar of a language. Visit Lexicon Valley. A Booksmart Studios production. Bonus: "Rodney Dangerfield Redux." With John McWhorter. Produced and edited by Mike Vuolo. All rights reserved.
The Rodney Dangerfield Pronoun
Comedian Rodney Dangerfield was fond of introducing jokes with a kind of redundancy, for example: “My wife, she told me I was one in a million. I found out she was right.” But those seemingly superfluous pronouns are filled with promise. Visit Lexicon Valley. A Booksmart Studios production. Episode 247: "The Rodney Dangerfield Pronoun." With John McWhorter. Produced and edited by Mike Vuolo. All rights reserved.
BONUS: The Luck of the Pot
It’s often assumed that potluck is derived from the Chinook Jargon word potlatch, a Pacific Northwest ceremony at which gifts are exchanged. Sort of makes sense, only it’s not true. Plus, high muckety-muck and the purported racist origin of the word picnic. Visit Lexicon Valley. A Booksmart Studios production. Bonus: "The Luck of the Pot." With John McWhorter. Produced and edited by Mike Vuolo. All rights reserved.
Is Negro a Slur or Just Antiquated?
The racial reckoning of the past several years has altered the way we think about and use language, often for better but occasionally for worse. Sometimes, what we tend to believe is at odds with what is most likely true. Visit Lexicon Valley. A Booksmart Studios production. Episode 246: "Is Negro a Slur or Just Antiquated?" With John McWhorter. Produced and edited by Mike Vuolo. All rights reserved.
BONUS: Sullen, Secure & Sober
Self, solo and even those idio- words — like idiosyncratic and idiolect — all derive from the same ancient root. Oh, and words like ethnic and ethic too. Visit Lexicon Valley. A Booksmart Studios production. Bonus: "Sullen, Secure & Sober." With John McWhorter. Produced and edited by Mike Vuolo. All rights reserved.
One Is the Loneliest Number
'Only,' 'lonely,' 'alone' and even 'atone' all derive from the number 'one,' which, by the way, wasn’t always pronounced as if it began with the letter w. Visit Lexicon Valley. A Booksmart Studios production. Episode 245: "One Is the Loneliest Number." With John McWhorter. Produced and edited by Mike Vuolo. All rights reserved.
BONUS: From Disrespect to Disaster
The prefix dis- shows up rather conspicuously in words like disavow and disallow. But it’s also embedded more cryptically in other places, like different. Visit Lexicon Valley. A Booksmart Studios production. Bonus: "From Disrespect to Disaster." With John McWhorter. Produced and edited by Mike Vuolo. All rights reserved.
Throw Up, Turn Out & Believe
Words like chit-chat, pitter-patter and wishy-washy are formed that way for a reason beyond the pleasing way that they sound. The vowel change actually signifies something more meaningful to our human way of thinking. Visit Lexicon Valley. A Booksmart Studios production. 244: "Throw Up, Turn Out & Believe." With John McWhorter. Produced and edited by Mike Vuolo. All rights reserved.Website: booksmartstudios.com/LexiconValley
BONUS: Oversight Committee Overlooks
English speakers like to complain about the liberal use of literally, meaning something akin to figuratively. But our language is replete with words carrying two connotations that are more or less opposite. Visit Lexicon Valley. A Booksmart Studios production. Bonus: "Oversight Committee Overlooks." With John McWhorter. Produced and edited by Mike Vuolo. All rights reserved.
Why Fidget Poppers Are "Satisfying"
What does the proliferation of so-called ASMR (autonomous sensory meridian response) videos say about the nuanced use of the word satisfying? Visit Lexicon Valley. A Booksmart Studios production. 243: "Why Fidget Poppers Are 'Satisfying.'" With John McWhorter. Produced and edited by Mike Vuolo. All rights reserved.
BONUS: How Do You Say Intersection?
To reCOUNT is to tell a story, often in great detail. A REcount, however, is what happens when an election is too close to call. The word intersection, likewise, has similar subtleties. Visit Lexicon Valley. A Booksmart Studios production. Bonus: "How Do You Say Intersection?" With John McWhorter. Produced and edited by Mike Vuolo. All rights reserved.
Why Do We Dot Our i's?
As a guest on The Late Show, John told Stephen Colbert that there was nothing especially interesting to say about the word "I." Well, he takes that back — there is, it turns out, much to say. Visit Lexicon Valley. A Booksmart Studios production. 242: "Why Do We Dot Our i's?" With John McWhorter. Produced and edited by Mike Vuolo. All rights reserved.
BONUS: The Anointed One
What does ointment have in common with grime? Visit Lexicon Valley. A Booksmart Studios production. Bonus: "The Anointed One." With John McWhorter. Produced and edited by Mike Vuolo. All rights reserved.
You Are SO Articulate. Really.
Do you remember learning — in grade school most likely — the difference between a count noun and a mass noun? Probably not, and yet chances are that you use them correctly. That’s because you’ve mastered your native language. Visit Lexicon Valley. A Booksmart Studios production. 241: "You Are SO Articulate. Really." With John McWhorter. Produced and edited by Mike Vuolo. All rights reserved.
BONUS: June, Jejune and Dinner
The month of June is named after the Roman goddess Juno, whose own name is derived from the Latin word iuventas, meaning youth. How, though, did those Roman i’s become English j’s? Plus, jejune! Visit Lexicon Valley. A Booksmart Studios production. Bonus: "June, Jejune and Dinner." With John McWhorter. Produced and edited by Mike Vuolo. All rights reserved.
When Words Collide
We are frequently asked — often by young listeners who are fascinated by language — how English could possibly accumulate the many thousands of words that make up its vast vocabulary. It’s a topic that’s just too fun not to revisit now and again. Visit Lexicon Valley. A Booksmart Studios production. 154: "When Words Collide." With John McWhorter. Produced and edited by Mike Vuolo. All rights reserved.Website: booksmartstudios.com/LexiconValley
BONUS: Why Is K Shaped Like That?
To the Phoenicians, the letter K represented a human hand that was reaching out to the left. Eventually, however, a few fingers got lopped off and the hand was rotated 180 degrees. Visit Lexicon Valley. A Booksmart Studios production. Bonus: "Why Is K Shaped Like That?" With John McWhorter. Produced and edited by Mike Vuolo. All rights reserved.
The Haphazard History of C
The letters C and K can both represent what we might call a Hard C — as in Cosmo Kramer or Calvin Klein. Not to mention Q, which usually indicates that same sound. Why does the English alphabet have this confusing redundancy? Visit Lexicon Valley. A Booksmart Studios production. 240: "The Haphazard History of C." With John McWhorter. Produced and edited by Mike Vuolo. All rights reserved.Website: booksmartstudios.com/LexiconValley
BONUS: Apology and Privilege
An ancient root meaning to choose or gather is sprinkled across the English language in words from 'legislation' to select to 'apologia.' Visit Lexicon Valley. A Booksmart Studios production. Bonus: "Apology and Privilege." With John McWhorter. Produced and edited by Mike Vuolo. All rights reserved.
JFK's Most Famous Sentence
On Jan. 20, 1961, President John F. Kennedy delivered — to an audience seated both outside at the U.S. Capitol and at home in front of their televisions — his inaugural address. Millions were stirred that afternoon by the rousing line: And so, my fellow Americans — ask not what your country can do for you; ask what you can do for your country. Every part of that exhortation is a fascinating linguistic lesson. Visit Lexicon Valley. A Booksmart Studios production. 239: "JFK's Most Famous Sentence." With John McWhorter. Produced and edited by Mike Vuolo. All rights reserved.
The Evolution of Woke
What does it mean to be woke? Has the word problematic become problematic? John McWhorter talks with Banished host Amna Khalid about the fraught vocabulary of modern censorship. Visit Lexicon Valley. A Booksmart Studios production. 238: "The Evolution of Woke." With Amna Khalid and John McWhorter. Produced and edited by Mike Vuolo. All rights reserved.
BONUS: Bunch, Elder and Goose
Does an elderberry have siblings of which it is the oldest? Probably not. Is a gooseberry especially anserine? Not really. So where do those names come from? Visit Lexicon Valley. A Booksmart Studios production. Bonus: "Bunch, Elder and Goose." With John McWhorter. Produced and edited by Mike Vuolo. All rights reserved.
Reviving Dead Languages
More than half the world’s approximately 7,000 languages will have no speakers left in the coming decades. Some are working feverishly to preserve or maintain them. Others are asking: Why bother? Visit Lexicon Valley. A Booksmart Studios production. 237: "Reviving Dead Languages." With John McWhorter. Produced and edited by Mike Vuolo. All rights reserved.
BONUS: English Is Hard Enough Without Antiquated Distinctions
Native speakers of English can discern the nuances that distinguish words like “help,” “assist” and “aid,” yet we’ve always had trouble with certain textbook grammar rules. For the love of language, it’s time to let “lie” and “lay” go. Civilization will not collapse, we promise you. Visit Lexicon Valley. A Booksmart Studios production. Bonus: "English Is Hard Enough Without Antiquated Distinctions." With John McWhorter. Produced and edited by Mike Vuolo. All rights reserved.
Let Sleeping Dogs Lay
Did you know that the past participle of the intransitive verb lie is lain and that its past tense is lay, not to be confused with the present tense of the transitive verb lay? Oh, and did you know that no one really cares if you use them all correctly? Visit Lexicon Valley. A Booksmart Studios production. 236: "Let Sleeping Dogs Lay." With John McWhorter. Produced and edited by Mike Vuolo. All rights reserved.
BONUS: How Did Nigeria Get Its Name?
You might guess that Nigeria and Niger derive their names from the Latin word for “black,” especially since both countries were formerly colonized by Europeans. Guess again. Visit Lexicon Valley. A Booksmart Studios production. Bonus: "How Did Nigeria Get Its Name?" With John McWhorter. Produced and edited by Mike Vuolo. All rights reserved.
Where Is the Name Ketanji From?
President Biden’s Supreme Court nominee has said that her parents picked “Ketanji” from a list of West African names supplied by a relative. West Africans speak hundreds of languages spread out across many hundreds of miles. Can we get more specific? Visit Lexicon Valley. A Booksmart Studios production. 235: "Where Is the Name Ketanji From?" With John McWhorter. Produced and edited by Mike Vuolo. All rights reserved.
BONUS: A Year of Russian
The Latin verb mittere — meaning “to send” — forms English words from transmit to remittance to submission. Other languages have similarly ubiquitous roots lurking throughout their vocabulary. Take Russian, for example. Visit Lexicon Valley. A Booksmart Studios production. Bonus: "A Year of Russian." With John McWhorter. Produced and edited by Mike Vuolo. All rights reserved.
A Linguistic Love Letter to Ukraine
As John likes to say, Proto-Indo-European — the original ancestor of many European and Asian languages — began on the steppes of Ukraine. This is his linguistic love letter to a region and a people under siege. Visit Lexicon Valley. A Booksmart Studios production. 234: "A Linguistic Love Letter to Ukraine." With John McWhorter. Produced and edited by Mike Vuolo. All rights reserved.
BONUS: A Playwright and a Fishmonger Walk into a Haberdashery
Ever wonder what the wright of wheelwright means? How about the monger of warmonger? Visit Lexicon Valley. A Booksmart Studios production. Bonus: "A Playwright and a Fishmonger Walk into a Haberdashery." With John McWhorter. Produced and edited by Mike Vuolo. All rights reserved.
How About This Weather?
To describe inclement weather in English, we might say that “it” is raining, which seems natural to a native speaker. But does “it” refer to the sky, the outdoors, the god of precipitation? Maybe it’s not so natural after all. Visit Lexicon Valley. A Booksmart Studios production. 233: "How About This Weather?" With John McWhorter. Produced and edited by Mike Vuolo. All rights reserved.
BONUS: Say Uncle
Is the 'unculus' in 'homunculus' somehow related to 'uncle'? You bet. Visit Lexicon Valley. A Booksmart Studios production. Bonus: "Say Uncle." With John McWhorter. Produced and edited by Mike Vuolo. All rights reserved.
Joe Rogan and the N-Word, by Way of Kyiv
You may have noticed, among widespread coverage of looming Russian aggression, an unfamiliar pronunciation of the Ukrainian capital Kyiv. What does that have to do with Joe Rogan’s use of the N-word? Listen to find out. Visit Lexicon Valley. A Booksmart Studios production. 232: "Joe Rogan and the N-Word, by Way of Kyiv." With John McWhorter. Produced and edited by Mike Vuolo. All rights reserved.
BONUS: Canny, Cunning and Uncouth Are All Cousins
In this brief fantasia on “can,” John shows how a single ancient root meaning “to know” has spread across many different words in lots of languages over hundreds of years. Visit Lexicon Valley. A Booksmart Studios production. Bonus: "Canny, Cunning and Uncouth Are All Cousins." With John McWhorter. Produced and edited by Mike Vuolo. All rights reserved.
Son of a B*tch on a Hot Mic
A hot mic caught President Biden using the epithet to describe a Fox News reporter. Where did “son of a bitch” come from, and why are modern speakers increasingly choosing other insults? Visit Lexicon Valley. A Booksmart Studios production. 231: "Son of a B*tch on a Hot Mic." With John McWhorter. Produced and edited by Mike Vuolo. All rights reserved.
BONUS: English Is Very French in the Kitchen
To get more specific in the oven and on the stove, English borrowed sauté, roast, blanch, boil and others. Leave it to the French to have a handy array of nuanced kitchen words. Visit Lexicon Valley. A Booksmart Studios production. Bonus: "English Is Very French in the Kitchen." With John McWhorter. Produced and edited by Mike Vuolo. All rights reserved.
RIP: Sidney Poitier, Lani Guinier, Max Julien
Actors Sidney Poitier and Max Julien and law professor Lani Guinier — all of whom died this month — have last names that reveal fascinating stories about pronunciation, etymology and language change. X: @lexiconvalley Facebook: facebook.com/LexiconValley Website: booksmartstudios.com/LexiconValley
BONUS: Why HAVE a Look When You Can Simply Look?
Language scolds of old wondered why in the world you would “take” a walk when you intended simply to walk. And don't get them started on “was being built.” Such constructions were considered vulgar and, heaven forbid, feminine. X: @lexiconvalley Facebook: facebook.com/LexiconValley Website: booksmartstudios.com/LexiconValley
300 Years of Language Peevery
Self-styled language experts have lamented the decline of English for centuries. From shifting pronunciations to newfangled words to evolving grammar, everyone from Jonathan Swift to John McWhorter has a pet peeve or two. X: @lexiconvalley Facebook: facebook.com/LexiconValley Website: booksmartstudios.com/LexiconValley
BONUS: Four Calling Birds? Not Exactly.
“The Twelve Days of Christmas” is a slog. It's repetitive, replete with archaic imagery and long — and so one can be forgiven for getting a bit sloppy with the lyrics. That's what happened with the phrase “colly birds,” which eventually mutated to “calling birds.” Wait, what's a colly bird? X: @lexiconvalley Facebook: facebook.com/LexiconValley Website: booksmartstudios.com/LexiconValley
Why Does the Letter A Look That Way?
An alphabet, one of humanity’s greatest innovations, is far from intuitive. Our own English lettering was borrowed from the Romans, of course, but where did they get it from? And where did the concept originate? X: @lexiconvalley Facebook: facebook.com/LexiconValley Website: booksmartstudios.com/LexiconValley
Happy Days Are Here
Bob Garfield and Mike Vuolo discuss what it means to be happy, both lexicographically and philosophically. Visit Lexicon Valley. A Booksmart Studios production. Episode 227: "Happy Days Are Here." With Bob Garfield and Mike Vuolo. Edited by Mike Vuolo. All rights reserved.
But Wait, There's More!
We’re giving John McWhorter a well-deserved day off. But the show must go on, so we’re bringing back a couple of Lexicon Valley legends for a special reunion episode. Twitter: @lexiconvalley Facebook: facebook.com/LexiconValley Website: booksmartstudios.com/LexiconValley
BONUS: In Language, Context Is King
The late philosopher Paul Grice formulated four brief maxims by which conversations are generally governed. Most humans find it relatively easy to observe them. Machines, on the other hand, not as much. X: @lexiconvalley Facebook: facebook.com/LexiconValley Website: booksmartstudios.com/LexiconValley
That's Not What Irony Means, Alanis
Language doesn't often do what you think it should. It’s as messy as almost anything that’s created by natural selection, but that’s what makes it so fun. Visit Lexicon Valley. A Booksmart Studios production. Episode 226: "That's Not What Irony Means, Alanis." With John McWhorter. Produced and edited by Mike Vuolo. All rights reserved.
BONUS: Television’s 'Handicap' Moment
Unlock all of our Bonus content and support Lexicon Valley by upgrading at booksmartstudios.com! X: @lexiconvalley Facebook: facebook.com/LexiconValley Website: booksmartstudios.com/LexiconValley
Can You Play “Jew” in Scrabble?
Scrabble and other similar games have been the subject of an ongoing lexicographic debate in recent years, with some arguing that ethnic slurs have no place in the official dictionary or on the board. Many tournament players, however, decry the banning of words — the game, they say, is merely descriptivist. X: @lexiconvalley Facebook: facebook.com/LexiconValley Website: booksmartstudios.com/LexiconValley
BONUS: On the Difference Between Males and Females
Unlock all of our Bonus content and support Lexicon Valley by upgrading at booksmartstudios.com! X: @lexiconvalley Facebook: facebook.com/LexiconValley Website: booksmartstudios.com/LexiconValley
A*#holes and B%tches
Dividing up nouns as “masculine” and “feminine” has not been a part of English for many centuries. And yet our language remains peppered throughout with gender, often overtly in terms like Mrs. and Mr. Sometimes, however, it’s more subtle. X: @lexiconvalley Facebook: facebook.com/LexiconValley Website: booksmartstudios.com/LexiconValley
BONUS: 23,000 Year Old Footprints Help Solve a Vexing Linguistic Riddle
Unlock all of our Bonus content and support Lexicon Valley by upgrading at booksmartstudios.com! X: @lexiconvalley Facebook: facebook.com/LexiconValley Website: booksmartstudios.com/LexiconValley
On the Singular They and Slippery Slopes
English has been calling out for a gender-neutral pronoun for more than a century, with many failed attempts at invented words and portmanteaus. Singular "they" — once the scourge of schoolhouse grammarians — has now emerged to become the pronoun of choice for many outside the so-called gender binary. X: @lexiconvalley Facebook: facebook.com/LexiconValley Website: booksmartstudios.com/LexiconValley
BONUS: Ridiculing Old People About Sex
Unlock all of our Bonus content and support Lexicon Valley by upgrading at booksmartstudios.com! X: @lexiconvalley Facebook: facebook.com/LexiconValley Website: booksmartstudios.com/LexiconValley
The Pandemic's Effect on Language
Turns out that some languages are less intelligible through a mask than others, and, believe it or not, it all depends on how often you use certain consonants. It’s called the McGurk effect and it’s the closest that linguistics comes to actual magic. X: @lexiconvalley Facebook: facebook.com/LexiconValley Website: booksmartstudios.com/LexiconValley
BONUS: Decoding the First Writing System
Unlock all of our Bonus content and support Lexicon Valley by upgrading at booksmartstudios.com! * Editor’s note: John means Georg Friedrich Grotefend. X: @lexiconvalley Facebook: facebook.com/LexiconValley Website: booksmartstudios.com/LexiconValley
What Do They Speak in Afghanistan?
Dari and Pashto are the two major official languages of Afghanistan. One, says John McWhorter, is “disarmingly approachable” while the other is “deliciously intimidating.” X: @lexiconvalley Facebook: facebook.com/LexiconValley Website: booksmartstudios.com/LexiconValley
BONUS: Popping a 'Tude
A Bonus segment for Premium subscribers — get access to all of our Bonus content and support Lexicon Valley by upgrading at booksmartstudios.com! X: @lexiconvalley Facebook: facebook.com/LexiconValley Website: booksmartstudios.com/LexiconValley
The Morphing of Critical Race Theory
What did CRT originally mean, and what does it mean now? What are our children actually being taught? And why do some terms tend to become so thorny over time? X: @lexiconvalley Facebook: facebook.com/LexiconValley Website: booksmartstudios.com/LexiconValley
BONUS: Is a Hot Dog a Sandwich?
A Bonus segment for Premium subscribers — get access to all of our Bonus content and support Lexicon Valley by upgrading at booksmartstudios.com! X: @lexiconvalley Facebook: facebook.com/LexiconValley Website: booksmartstudios.com/LexiconValley
Mare of Easttown and the Philly Accent
In the 7-part crime drama, Mare of Easttown, Kate Winslet plays a flannel-clad cop with a thirst for Rolling Rock, an appetite for hoagies and a tendency to pronounce water more like wooder. John McWhorter discusses his hometown’s enigmatic accent and Winslet’s courageous attempt at imitating those impossibly difficult vowels. X: @lexiconvalley Facebook: facebook.com/LexiconValley Website: booksmartstudios.com/LexiconValley
English Has a Bee in Its Bonnet
Not all languages lend themselves to spelling competitions. X: @lexiconvalley Facebook: facebook.com/LexiconValley Website: booksmartstudios.com/LexiconValley
Russian Is My Mt. Everest
How the novel Anna Karenina sparked a quest to learn Tolstoy's native tongue. X: @lexiconvalley Facebook: facebook.com/LexiconValley Website: booksmartstudios.com/LexiconValley
Russian Is My Mt. Everest
How the novel Anna Karenina sparked a quest to learn Tolstoy's native tongue. Visit Lexicon Valley. A Booksmart Studios production. Episode 217: "Russian Is My Mt. Everest." With John McWhorter. Produced and edited by Mike Vuolo. All rights reserved. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Languages of Northern Africa
Berber, Somali and other fascinating languages of the region. X: @lexiconvalley Facebook: facebook.com/LexiconValley Website: booksmartstudios.com/LexiconValley
Languages of Northern Africa
Berber, Somali and other fascinating languages of the region. Visit Lexicon Valley. A Booksmart Studios production. Episode 216: "Languages of Northern Africa." With John McWhorter. Produced and edited by Mike Vuolo. All rights reserved. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
You’re Gonna Hafta
Linguistic inspiration from a television series about the Royal Family. X: @lexiconvalley Facebook: facebook.com/LexiconValley Website: booksmartstudios.com/LexiconValley
You’re Gonna Hafta
Linguistic inspiration from a television series about the Royal Family. Visit Lexicon Valley. A Booksmart Studios production. Episode 215: "You’re Gonna Hafta." With John McWhorter. Produced and edited by Mike Vuolo. All rights reserved. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
The Languages of Southeast Asia
Are Vietnamese, Thai and others of that region a lot like Mandarin? X: @lexiconvalley Facebook: facebook.com/LexiconValley Website: booksmartstudios.com/LexiconValley
The Languages of Southeast Asia
Are Vietnamese, Thai and others of that region a lot like Mandarin? Visit Lexicon Valley. A Booksmart Studios production. Episode 214: "The Languages of Southeast Asia." With John McWhorter. Produced and edited by Mike Vuolo. All rights reserved. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Irregardless Make You Cringe?
Some other words that perhaps should bother you but probably don't. X: @lexiconvalley Facebook: facebook.com/LexiconValley Website: booksmartstudios.com/LexiconValley
Irregardless Make You Cringe?
Some other words that perhaps should bother you but probably don't. Visit Lexicon Valley. A Booksmart Studios production. Episode 213: "Irregardless Make You Cringe?" With John McWhorter. Produced and edited by Mike Vuolo. All rights reserved. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Nine Nasty Words
English in the gutter: then, now and forever. X: @lexiconvalley Facebook: facebook.com/LexiconValley Website: booksmartstudios.com/LexiconValley
Nine Nasty Words
English in the gutter: then, now and forever. Visit Lexicon Valley. A Booksmart Studios production. Episode 212: "Nine Nasty Words." With John McWhorter. Produced and edited by Mike Vuolo. All rights reserved. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
The Invisible Complexities of Translation
Examining the nuances of translation through the single word self. X: @lexiconvalley Facebook: facebook.com/LexiconValley Website: booksmartstudios.com/LexiconValley
The Invisible Complexities of Translation
Examining the nuances of translation through the single word "self." Visit Lexicon Valley. A Booksmart Studios production. Episode 247: "The Invisible Complexities of Translation." With John McWhorter. Produced and edited by Mike Vuolo. All rights reserved. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
English Is Plain Weird
There's nothing run-of-the-mill about this language called English. X: @lexiconvalley Facebook: facebook.com/LexiconValley Website: booksmartstudios.com/LexiconValley
English Is Plain Weird
There's nothing run-of-the-mill about this language called English. Visit Lexicon Valley. A Booksmart Studios production. Episode 210: "English Is Plain Weird." With John McWhorter. Produced and edited by Mike Vuolo. All rights reserved. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Subject-Verb-Object, Right?
Our way of putting together sentences is far from universal. X: @lexiconvalley Facebook: facebook.com/LexiconValley Website: booksmartstudios.com/LexiconValley
Subject-Verb-Object, Right?
Our way of putting together sentences is far from universal. Visit Lexicon Valley. A Booksmart Studios production. Episode 209: "Subject-Verb-Object, Right?" With John McWhorter. Produced and edited by Mike Vuolo. All rights reserved. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Parting Company
How did a word that literally means with bread come to sprout it corporate connotations? X: @lexiconvalley Facebook: facebook.com/LexiconValley Website: booksmartstudios.com/LexiconValley
Parting Company
How did a word that literally means with bread come to sprout it corporate connotations? Visit Lexicon Valley. A Booksmart Studios production. Episode 208: "Parting Company." With John McWhorter. Produced and edited by Mike Vuolo. All rights reserved. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Wallowing in Negativity
When a simple no will not suffice. X: @lexiconvalley Facebook: facebook.com/LexiconValley Website: booksmartstudios.com/LexiconValley
Wallowing in Negativity
When a simple no will not suffice. Visit Lexicon Valley. A Booksmart Studios production. Episode 207: "Wallowing in Negativity." With John McWhorter. Produced and edited by Mike Vuolo. All rights reserved. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Fossil Hunting in English
Knowing where to dig is the key to uncovering our linguistic past. X: @lexiconvalley Facebook: facebook.com/LexiconValley Website: booksmartstudios.com/LexiconValley
Fossil Hunting in English
Knowing where to dig is the key to uncovering our linguistic past. Visit Lexicon Valley. A Booksmart Studios production. Episode 206: "Fossil Hunting in English." With John McWhorter. Produced and edited by Mike Vuolo. All rights reserved. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Why Do Languages Have Gender?
Why do so many languages divvy up nouns into seemingly arbitrary categories? X: @lexiconvalley Facebook: facebook.com/LexiconValley Website: booksmartstudios.com/LexiconValley
Why Do Languages Have Gender?
Why do so many languages divvy up nouns into seemingly arbitrary categories? Visit Lexicon Valley. A Booksmart Studios production. Episode 205: "Why Do Languages Have Gender?" With John McWhorter. Produced and edited by Mike Vuolo. All rights reserved. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Forgetting Your Roots
When the apple falls far from the tree. X: @lexiconvalley Facebook: facebook.com/LexiconValley Website: booksmartstudios.com/LexiconValley
Forgetting Your Roots
When the apple falls far from the tree. Visit Lexicon Valley. A Booksmart Studios production. Episode 204: "Forgetting Your Roots." With John McWhorter. Produced and edited by Mike Vuolo. All rights reserved. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Future English Speaker, Can You Read Me?
At what point will the language we speak now be incomprehensible to our progeny? X: @lexiconvalley Facebook: facebook.com/LexiconValley Website: booksmartstudios.com/LexiconValley
Future English Speaker, Can You Read Me?
At what point will the language we speak now be incomprehensible to our progeny? Visit Lexicon Valley. A Booksmart Studios production. Episode 203: "Future English Speaker, Can You Read Me?" With John McWhorter. Produced and edited by Mike Vuolo. All rights reserved. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Getting Got
The many subtle nuances of one of our most common verbs. X: @lexiconvalley Facebook: facebook.com/LexiconValley Website: booksmartstudios.com/LexiconValley
Getting Got
The many subtle nuances of one of our most common verbs. Visit Lexicon Valley. A Booksmart Studios production. Episode 202: "Getting Got." With John McWhorter. Produced and edited by Mike Vuolo. All rights reserved. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
On the Origin of English
A fringe theory about English for which the evidence is intriguing. X: @lexiconvalley Facebook: facebook.com/LexiconValley Website: booksmartstudios.com/LexiconValley
On the Origin of English
A fringe theory about English for which the evidence is intriguing. Visit Lexicon Valley. A Booksmart Studios production. Episode 201: "On the Origin of English." With John McWhorter. Produced and edited by Mike Vuolo. All rights reserved. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
White Author, Black English. Problem?
Is it appropriation for a white novelist to render Black speech? X: @lexiconvalley Facebook: facebook.com/LexiconValley Website: booksmartstudios.com/LexiconValley
White Author, Black English. Problem?
Is it appropriation for a white novelist to render Black speech? X: @lexiconvalley Facebook: facebook.com/LexiconValley Website: booksmartstudios.com/LexiconValley Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Do Cats Have Language?
The way that animals communicate is fascinating, yes, but a far cry from human speech. X: @lexiconvalley Facebook: facebook.com/LexiconValley Website: booksmartstudios.com/LexiconValley
Do Cats Have Language?
The way that animals communicate is fascinating, yes, but a far cry from human speech. X: @lexiconvalley Facebook: facebook.com/LexiconValley Website: booksmartstudios.com/LexiconValley Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Sergeant, Corporal, Colonel
The peculiar language of our military ranks. X: @lexiconvalley Facebook: facebook.com/LexiconValley Website: booksmartstudios.com/LexiconValley
Sergeant, Corporal, Colonel
The peculiar language of our military ranks. X: @lexiconvalley Facebook: facebook.com/LexiconValley Website: booksmartstudios.com/LexiconValley Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
To Reason Why
How come? What for? The many ways to ask why. X: @lexiconvalley Facebook: facebook.com/LexiconValley Website: booksmartstudios.com/LexiconValley
To Reason Why
How come? What for? The many ways to ask why. X: @lexiconvalley Facebook: facebook.com/LexiconValley Website: booksmartstudios.com/LexiconValley Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
When Talking to Your Mother-in-Law Is a Minefield
On codeswitching among family members and relations. X: @lexiconvalley Facebook: facebook.com/LexiconValley Website: booksmartstudios.com/LexiconValley
When Talking to Your Mother-in-Law Is a Minefield
On codeswitching among family members and relations. X: @lexiconvalley Facebook: facebook.com/LexiconValley Website: booksmartstudios.com/LexiconValley Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
The Incredible Story of the Traveling Creole
A creole language that boomeranged between two continents. X: @lexiconvalley Facebook: facebook.com/LexiconValley Website: booksmartstudios.com/LexiconValley
The Incredible Story of the Traveling Creole
A creole language that boomeranged between two continents. X: @lexiconvalley Facebook: facebook.com/LexiconValley Website: booksmartstudios.com/LexiconValley Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
This Am a Minstrel Stereotype, Right?
On Black English and the verb to be. X: @lexiconvalley Facebook: facebook.com/LexiconValley Website: booksmartstudios.com/LexiconValley
This Am a Minstrel Stereotype, Right?
On Black English and the verb to be. X: @lexiconvalley Facebook: facebook.com/LexiconValley Website: booksmartstudios.com/LexiconValley Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
When Jews Adapted Spanish
Linguistic inspiration from historian Alan Mikhail’s new book God’s Shadow: Sultan Selim, His Ottoman Empire, and the Making of the Modern World. X: @lexiconvalley Facebook: facebook.com/LexiconValley Website: booksmartstudios.com/LexiconValley
When Jews Adapted Spanish
Linguistic inspiration from historian Alan Mikhail’s new book God’s Shadow: Sultan Selim, His Ottoman Empire, and the Making of the Modern World. X: @lexiconvalley Facebook: facebook.com/LexiconValley Website: booksmartstudios.com/LexiconValley Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Does English Have a Future?
Do languages even need a future tense, or can we get along just fine without it? X: @lexiconvalley Facebook: facebook.com/LexiconValley Website: booksmartstudios.com/LexiconValley
Does English Have a Future?
Do languages even need a future tense, or can we get along just fine without it? X: @lexiconvalley Facebook: facebook.com/LexiconValley Website: booksmartstudios.com/LexiconValley Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Defund Karen
Social justice movements yield a trove of new catchphrases and words. X: @lexiconvalley Facebook: facebook.com/LexiconValley Website: booksmartstudios.com/LexiconValley
Defund Karen
Social justice movements yield a trove of new catchphrases and words. X: @lexiconvalley Facebook: facebook.com/LexiconValley Website: booksmartstudios.com/LexiconValley Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Beyond the Five Ws
Inquiring around the world. X: @lexiconvalley Facebook: facebook.com/LexiconValley Website: booksmartstudios.com/LexiconValley
Beyond the Five Ws
Inquiring around the world. X: @lexiconvalley Facebook: facebook.com/LexiconValley Website: booksmartstudios.com/LexiconValley Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Tweety Bird and Toddlerspeak
How do children pick up language so readily? X: @lexiconvalley Facebook: facebook.com/LexiconValley Website: booksmartstudios.com/LexiconValley
Tweety Bird and Toddlerspeak
How do children pick up language so readily? X: @lexiconvalley Facebook: facebook.com/LexiconValley Website: booksmartstudios.com/LexiconValley Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Coronavirus: Isolation and Aspiration
Are certain consonants to blame for spreading germs? X: @lexiconvalley Facebook: facebook.com/LexiconValley Website: booksmartstudios.com/LexiconValley
Coronavirus: Isolation and Aspiration
Are certain consonants to blame for spreading germs? X: @lexiconvalley Facebook: facebook.com/LexiconValley Website: booksmartstudios.com/LexiconValley Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Our Indigenous Languages
The wonderfully complex Native American tongues. X: @lexiconvalley Facebook: facebook.com/LexiconValley Website: booksmartstudios.com/LexiconValley
Our Indigenous Languages
The wonderfully complex Native American tongues. X: @lexiconvalley Facebook: facebook.com/LexiconValley Website: booksmartstudios.com/LexiconValley Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
I Just Can't!
Yes, linguists have language peeves too. X: @lexiconvalley Facebook: facebook.com/LexiconValley Website: booksmartstudios.com/LexiconValley
I Just Can't!
Yes, linguists have language peeves too. X: @lexiconvalley Facebook: facebook.com/LexiconValley Website: booksmartstudios.com/LexiconValley Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
The Many Meanings of Too
The word too is far more versatile than you think. X: @lexiconvalley Facebook: facebook.com/LexiconValley Website: booksmartstudios.com/LexiconValley
The Many Meanings of Too
The word too is far more versatile than you think. X: @lexiconvalley Facebook: facebook.com/LexiconValley Website: booksmartstudios.com/LexiconValley Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Sicko, Whacko, Weirdo
What's with that long o sound we stick on the ends of words like neato and, yes, fatso? X: @lexiconvalley Facebook: facebook.com/LexiconValley Website: booksmartstudios.com/LexiconValley
Sicko, Whacko, Weirdo
What's with that long o sound we stick on the ends of words like neato and, yes, fatso? X: @lexiconvalley Facebook: facebook.com/LexiconValley Website: booksmartstudios.com/LexiconValley Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
A Myth Surrounding Mandarin
Chinese has no grammar, right? Wrong! X: @lexiconvalley Facebook: facebook.com/LexiconValley Website: booksmartstudios.com/LexiconValley
A Myth Surrounding Mandarin
Chinese has no grammar, right? Wrong! X: @lexiconvalley Facebook: facebook.com/LexiconValley Website: booksmartstudios.com/LexiconValley Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
From Uptalk to Vocal Fry
Women are the most prolific language innovators. X: @lexiconvalley Facebook: facebook.com/LexiconValley Website: booksmartstudios.com/LexiconValley
From Uptalk to Vocal Fry
Women are the most prolific language innovators. X: @lexiconvalley Facebook: facebook.com/LexiconValley Website: booksmartstudios.com/LexiconValley Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
In What Order Did Languages Arrive in Europe?
Cutting edge research gives linguists new insight. X: @lexiconvalley Facebook: facebook.com/LexiconValley Website: booksmartstudios.com/LexiconValley
In What Order Did Languages Arrive in Europe?
Cutting edge research gives linguists new insight. X: @lexiconvalley Facebook: facebook.com/LexiconValley Website: booksmartstudios.com/LexiconValley Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Digging Up the Past
It may be ancient history, but we need a way to talk about it. X: @lexiconvalley Facebook: facebook.com/LexiconValley Website: booksmartstudios.com/LexiconValley
Digging Up the Past
It may be ancient history, but we need a way to talk about it. X: @lexiconvalley Facebook: facebook.com/LexiconValley Website: booksmartstudios.com/LexiconValley Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Verbs on the Move
Like the boy said in that song: you come and go, you come and go. We all do. X: @lexiconvalley Facebook: facebook.com/LexiconValley Website: booksmartstudios.com/LexiconValley
Verbs on the Move
Like the boy said in that song: you come and go, you come and go. We all do. X: @lexiconvalley Facebook: facebook.com/LexiconValley Website: booksmartstudios.com/LexiconValley Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Does Processes Rhyme With Knees?
Is our pretentiousness causing us to pronounce words wrong? X: @lexiconvalley Facebook: facebook.com/LexiconValley Website: booksmartstudios.com/LexiconValley
Does Processes Rhyme With Knees?
Is our pretentiousness causing us to pronounce words wrong? X: @lexiconvalley Facebook: facebook.com/LexiconValley Website: booksmartstudios.com/LexiconValley Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
A Bisl Yiddish
Yiddish is the gefilte fish of Germanic languages. X: @lexiconvalley Facebook: facebook.com/LexiconValley Website: booksmartstudios.com/LexiconValley
A Bisl Yiddish
Yiddish is the gefilte fish of Germanic languages. X: @lexiconvalley Facebook: facebook.com/LexiconValley Website: booksmartstudios.com/LexiconValley Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Private Parts
How did cock come to mean a male chicken and a penis? X: @lexiconvalley Facebook: facebook.com/LexiconValley Website: booksmartstudios.com/LexiconValley
Private Parts
How did cock come to mean a male chicken and a penis? X: @lexiconvalley Facebook: facebook.com/LexiconValley Website: booksmartstudios.com/LexiconValley Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
The Soft Power of Like
Words and phrases that are often dismissed as filler are actually conveying politeness. X: @lexiconvalley Facebook: facebook.com/LexiconValley Website: booksmartstudios.com/LexiconValley
The Soft Power of Like
Words and phrases that are often dismissed as filler are actually conveying politeness. X: @lexiconvalley Facebook: facebook.com/LexiconValley Website: booksmartstudios.com/LexiconValley Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Men, Women and Children
The weird plurals of sentient beings. X: @lexiconvalley Facebook: facebook.com/LexiconValley Website: booksmartstudios.com/LexiconValley
Men, Women and Children
The weird plurals of sentient beings. X: @lexiconvalley Facebook: facebook.com/LexiconValley Website: booksmartstudios.com/LexiconValley Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Zombie English
Dead parts of our language have a way of sticking around. X: @lexiconvalley Facebook: facebook.com/LexiconValley Website: booksmartstudios.com/LexiconValley
Zombie English
Dead parts of our language have a way of sticking around. X: @lexiconvalley Facebook: facebook.com/LexiconValley Website: booksmartstudios.com/LexiconValley Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Let's Do Lunch
Come table-hopping as we discuss the linguistic quirks of mealtime terms. X: @lexiconvalley Facebook: facebook.com/LexiconValley Website: booksmartstudios.com/LexiconValley
Let's Do Lunch
Come table-hopping as we discuss the linguistic quirks of mealtime terms. X: @lexiconvalley Facebook: facebook.com/LexiconValley Website: booksmartstudios.com/LexiconValley Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
How to Think Like a Linguist
The alphabet doesn't quite capture the many sounds we make. X: @lexiconvalley Facebook: facebook.com/LexiconValley Website: booksmartstudios.com/LexiconValley
How to Think Like a Linguist
The alphabet doesn't quite capture the many sounds we make. X: @lexiconvalley Facebook: facebook.com/LexiconValley Website: booksmartstudios.com/LexiconValley Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Has English Gotten Less Complex?
English pronouns in particular have simplified over time. X: @lexiconvalley Facebook: facebook.com/LexiconValley Website: booksmartstudios.com/LexiconValley
Has English Gotten Less Complex?
English pronouns in particular have simplified over time. X: @lexiconvalley Facebook: facebook.com/LexiconValley Website: booksmartstudios.com/LexiconValley Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
S#!t, Hell, and Darn
Dissecting three common curse words. X: @lexiconvalley Facebook: facebook.com/LexiconValley Website: booksmartstudios.com/LexiconValley
S#!t, Hell and Darn
Dissecting three common curse words. X: @lexiconvalley Facebook: facebook.com/LexiconValley Website: booksmartstudios.com/LexiconValley Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
This Family Speaks 1,200 Languages
From Javanese to Tagalog, the wonderful Austronesian languages. X: @lexiconvalley Facebook: facebook.com/LexiconValley Website: booksmartstudios.com/LexiconValley
This Family Speaks 1,200 Languages
From Javanese to Tagalog, the wonderful Austronesian languages. X: @lexiconvalley Facebook: facebook.com/LexiconValley Website: booksmartstudios.com/LexiconValley Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Language vs. Dialect
A language is a dialect with an army, to paraphrase a renowned linguist. X: @lexiconvalley Facebook: facebook.com/LexiconValley Website: booksmartstudios.com/LexiconValley
Language vs. Dialect
A language is a dialect with an army, to paraphrase a renowned linguist. X: @lexiconvalley Facebook: facebook.com/LexiconValley Website: booksmartstudios.com/LexiconValley Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
The Internet Loves the Exclamation Point!!
On some of the deep forces that shape human language. X: @lexiconvalley Facebook: facebook.com/LexiconValley Website: booksmartstudios.com/LexiconValley
The Internet Loves the Exclamation Point!!
On some of the deep forces that shape human language. X: @lexiconvalley Facebook: facebook.com/LexiconValley Website: booksmartstudios.com/LexiconValley Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Why Is “Ph” Pronounced That Way?
We have two F sounds in English but only one is spelled with the letter F. X: @lexiconvalley Facebook: facebook.com/LexiconValley Website: booksmartstudios.com/LexiconValley
Why Is “Ph” Pronounced That Way?
We have two F sounds in English but only one is spelled with the letter F. X: @lexiconvalley Facebook: facebook.com/LexiconValley Website: booksmartstudios.com/LexiconValley Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Does Language Affect Thought?
Another look at the so-called Whorf Hypothesis, the idea that the language you speak affects your perception of the world. X: @lexiconvalley Facebook: facebook.com/LexiconValley Website: booksmartstudios.com/LexiconValley
Does Language Affect Thought?
Another look at the so-called Whorf Hypothesis, the idea that the language you speak affects your perception of the world. X: @lexiconvalley Facebook: facebook.com/LexiconValley Website: booksmartstudios.com/LexiconValley Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
A Fleeting Glance
Reflections on transience. X: @lexiconvalley Facebook: facebook.com/LexiconValley Website: booksmartstudios.com/LexiconValley
A Fleeting Glance
Reflections on transience. X: @lexiconvalley Facebook: facebook.com/LexiconValley Website: booksmartstudios.com/LexiconValley Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
The Romance Languages
On French, Spanish, Italian, etc. — otherwise known as the Romances. X: @lexiconvalley Facebook: facebook.com/LexiconValley Website: booksmartstudios.com/LexiconValley
The Romance Languages
On French, Spanish, Italian, etc. — otherwise known as the Romances. X: @lexiconvalley Facebook: facebook.com/LexiconValley Website: booksmartstudios.com/LexiconValley Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Why Do Some Americans Say Warshed?
Why do people often pronounce an R sound where it doesn't belong? X: @lexiconvalley Facebook: facebook.com/LexiconValley Website: booksmartstudios.com/LexiconValley
Why Do Some Americans Say Warshed?
Why do people often pronounce an R sound where it doesn't belong? X: @lexiconvalley Facebook: facebook.com/LexiconValley Website: booksmartstudios.com/LexiconValley Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Flores Man vs. Sulawesi
A linguistic mystery on an island archipeligo of Indonesia. X: @lexiconvalley Facebook: facebook.com/LexiconValley Website: booksmartstudios.com/LexiconValley
Flores Man vs. Sulawesi
A linguistic mystery on an island archipeligo of Indonesia. X: @lexiconvalley Facebook: facebook.com/LexiconValley Website: booksmartstudios.com/LexiconValley Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
The Lingua Francas
You could speak fluently with half the world's population if you knew these 20 or so languages. X: @lexiconvalley Facebook: facebook.com/LexiconValley Website: booksmartstudios.com/LexiconValley
The Lingua Francas
You could speak fluently with half the world's population if you knew these 20 or so languages. X: @lexiconvalley Facebook: facebook.com/LexiconValley Website: booksmartstudios.com/LexiconValley Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Can Climate Influence Language?
As many as half the world's languages are tonal, but a tiny fraction are spoken in arid climates. X: @lexiconvalley Facebook: facebook.com/LexiconValley Website: booksmartstudios.com/LexiconValley
Can Climate Influence Language?
As many as half the world's languages are tonal, but a tiny fraction are spoken in arid climates. X: @lexiconvalley Facebook: facebook.com/LexiconValley Website: booksmartstudios.com/LexiconValley Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
When Ain’t Was All Right
On the the first person singular of to be. X: @lexiconvalley Facebook: facebook.com/LexiconValley Website: booksmartstudios.com/LexiconValley
When Ain’t Was All Right
On the the first person singular of to be. X: @lexiconvalley Facebook: facebook.com/LexiconValley Website: booksmartstudios.com/LexiconValley Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
The Semitic Tongues
On the triconsonantal roots of Semitic languages. X: @lexiconvalley Facebook: facebook.com/LexiconValley Website: booksmartstudios.com/LexiconValley
The Semitic Tongues
On the triconsonantal roots of Semitic languages. X: @lexiconvalley Facebook: facebook.com/LexiconValley Website: booksmartstudios.com/LexiconValley Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Precious Little
Johnny loves his blankie — why do we tack a long e sound onto words to form diminutives? X: @lexiconvalley Facebook: facebook.com/LexiconValley Website: booksmartstudios.com/LexiconValley
Precious Little
Johnny loves his blankie — why do we tack a long e sound onto words to form diminutives? X: @lexiconvalley Facebook: facebook.com/LexiconValley Website: booksmartstudios.com/LexiconValley Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
When Words Collide
On the creation of new English vocabulary. Visit Lexicon Valley. A Booksmart Studios production. 154: "When Words Collide." With John McWhorter. Produced and edited by Mike Vuolo. All rights reserved.
When Words Collide
On the creation of new English vocabulary. Visit Lexicon Valley. A Booksmart Studios production. 154: "When Words Collide." With John McWhorter. Produced and edited by Mike Vuolo. All rights reserved. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Truth Be Told
An actually very literal discussion of true words. Really! X: @lexiconvalley Facebook: facebook.com/LexiconValley Website: booksmartstudios.com/LexiconValley
Truth Be Told
An actually very literal discussion of true words. Really! X: @lexiconvalley Facebook: facebook.com/LexiconValley Website: booksmartstudios.com/LexiconValley Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
A Penetrating History of F*%k
On our longtime obsession with the F-word. X: @lexiconvalley Facebook: facebook.com/LexiconValley Website: booksmartstudios.com/LexiconValley
A Penetrating History of F*%k
On our longtime obsession with the F-word. X: @lexiconvalley Facebook: facebook.com/LexiconValley Website: booksmartstudios.com/LexiconValley Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
When Did English Get Happy?
Where does happiness come from? X: @lexiconvalley Facebook: facebook.com/LexiconValley Website: booksmartstudios.com/LexiconValley
When Did English Get Happy?
Where does happiness come from? X: @lexiconvalley Facebook: facebook.com/LexiconValley Website: booksmartstudios.com/LexiconValley Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Why Language Can’t Be Tamed
A conversation with Lane Greene, author of Talk on the Wild Side. X: @lexiconvalley Facebook: facebook.com/LexiconValley Website: booksmartstudios.com/LexiconValley
Why Language Can’t Be Tamed
A conversation with Lane Greene, author of Talk on the Wild Side. X: @lexiconvalley Facebook: facebook.com/LexiconValley Website: booksmartstudios.com/LexiconValley Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Is Social Media Changing English?
Many think that online culture is eroding our language skills. Is it true? X: @lexiconvalley Facebook: facebook.com/LexiconValley Website: booksmartstudios.com/LexiconValley
Is Social Media Changing English?
Many think that online culture is eroding our language skills. Is it true? X: @lexiconvalley Facebook: facebook.com/LexiconValley Website: booksmartstudios.com/LexiconValley Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
What Was the First Language?
Can we know anything about languages spoken at the dawn of human speech? X: @lexiconvalley Facebook: facebook.com/LexiconValley Website: booksmartstudios.com/LexiconValley
What Was the First Language?
Can we know anything about languages spoken at the dawn of human speech? X: @lexiconvalley Facebook: facebook.com/LexiconValley Website: booksmartstudios.com/LexiconValley Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
So … Let’s Talk About So
Leading with so is often shorthand for I'm about to do some explaining. X: @lexiconvalley Facebook: facebook.com/LexiconValley Website: booksmartstudios.com/LexiconValley
So … Let’s Talk About So
Leading with so is often shorthand for I'm about to do some explaining. X: @lexiconvalley Facebook: facebook.com/LexiconValley Website: booksmartstudios.com/LexiconValley Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Like-Minded
There's lots to like about like. X: @lexiconvalley Facebook: facebook.com/LexiconValley Website: booksmartstudios.com/LexiconValley
Like-Minded
There's lots to like about like. X: @lexiconvalley Facebook: facebook.com/LexiconValley Website: booksmartstudios.com/LexiconValley Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Why Do Southerners Talk Like That?
A Southern accent is easier to explain than to emulate. X: @lexiconvalley Facebook: facebook.com/LexiconValley Website: booksmartstudios.com/LexiconValley
Why Do Southerners Talk Like That?
A Southern accent is easier to explain than to emulate. X: @lexiconvalley Facebook: facebook.com/LexiconValley Website: booksmartstudios.com/LexiconValley Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
The Habitual Past
You regularly did something but don't any longer. In other words, you used to do it — what an odd expression. X: @lexiconvalley Facebook: facebook.com/LexiconValley Website: booksmartstudios.com/LexiconValley
The Habitual Past
You regularly did something but don't any longer. In other words, you used to do it — what an odd expression. X: @lexiconvalley Facebook: facebook.com/LexiconValley Website: booksmartstudios.com/LexiconValley Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
A Riot of Color
Languages tend to get their color words in a certain order. X: @lexiconvalley Facebook: facebook.com/LexiconValley Website: booksmartstudios.com/LexiconValley
A Riot of Color
Languages tend to get their color words in a certain order. X: @lexiconvalley Facebook: facebook.com/LexiconValley Website: booksmartstudios.com/LexiconValley Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
The Rise of They
The singular they is here to stay and that's a good thing. X: @lexiconvalley Facebook: facebook.com/LexiconValley Website: booksmartstudios.com/LexiconValley
The Rise of They
The singular they is here to stay and that's a good thing. X: @lexiconvalley Facebook: facebook.com/LexiconValley Website: booksmartstudios.com/LexiconValley Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Wabbit Twacks
Learning about language from Elmer Fudd and Bugs Bunny. X: @lexiconvalley Facebook: facebook.com/LexiconValley Website: booksmartstudios.com/LexiconValley
Wabbit Twacks
Learning about language from Elmer Fudd and Bugs Bunny. X: @lexiconvalley Facebook: facebook.com/LexiconValley Website: booksmartstudios.com/LexiconValley Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Tee Time
It's yabba dabba doo time to talk about the letter T. X: @lexiconvalley Facebook: facebook.com/LexiconValley Website: booksmartstudios.com/LexiconValley
Tee Time
It's yabba dabba doo time to talk about the letter T. X: @lexiconvalley Facebook: facebook.com/LexiconValley Website: booksmartstudios.com/LexiconValley Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Happy Birthday, OED!
The first full edition of the OED was published in 1928. X: @lexiconvalley Facebook: facebook.com/LexiconValley Website: booksmartstudios.com/LexiconValley
Happy Birthday, OED!
The first full edition of the OED was published in 1928. X: @lexiconvalley Facebook: facebook.com/LexiconValley Website: booksmartstudios.com/LexiconValley Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
If Frozen, Why Not Squozen?
Lessons from this year’s Tony nominees for Best Musical. X: @lexiconvalley Facebook: facebook.com/LexiconValley Website: booksmartstudios.com/LexiconValley
If Frozen, Why Not Squozen?
Lessons from this year’s Tony nominees for Best Musical. X: @lexiconvalley Facebook: facebook.com/LexiconValley Website: booksmartstudios.com/LexiconValley Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
The Pronouning of Profanities
How curse words became ordinary parts of speech. X: @lexiconvalley Facebook: facebook.com/LexiconValley Website: booksmartstudios.com/LexiconValley
The Pronouning of Profanities
How curse words became ordinary parts of speech. X: @lexiconvalley Facebook: facebook.com/LexiconValley Website: booksmartstudios.com/LexiconValley Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
One Tongue to Rule Them All
Many have dreamt of a single common language, but it remains a dream. X: @lexiconvalley Facebook: facebook.com/LexiconValley Website: booksmartstudios.com/LexiconValley
One Tongue to Rule Them All
Many have dreamt of a single common language, but it remains a dream. X: @lexiconvalley Facebook: facebook.com/LexiconValley Website: booksmartstudios.com/LexiconValley Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
The Art of the Spiel
Rhetoric from the Gilded Age to the Era of Trump. X: @lexiconvalley Facebook: facebook.com/LexiconValley Website: booksmartstudios.com/LexiconValley
The Art of the Spiel
Rhetoric from the Gilded Age to the Era of Trump. X: @lexiconvalley Facebook: facebook.com/LexiconValley Website: booksmartstudios.com/LexiconValley Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Getting to Yes
Mm-hmm, yep, yeah. X: @lexiconvalley Facebook: facebook.com/LexiconValley Website: booksmartstudios.com/LexiconValley
Getting to Yes
Mm-hmm, yep, yeah. X: @lexiconvalley Facebook: facebook.com/LexiconValley Website: booksmartstudios.com/LexiconValley Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
The Story of P
What queues up after elemeno? X: @lexiconvalley Facebook: facebook.com/LexiconValley Website: booksmartstudios.com/LexiconValley
The Story of P
What queues up after elemeno? X: @lexiconvalley Facebook: facebook.com/LexiconValley Website: booksmartstudios.com/LexiconValley Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
English Spelling is a Beautiful Mess
English is chock-full of letters that are not pronounced, which makes spelling a nightmare. X: @lexiconvalley Facebook: facebook.com/LexiconValley Website: booksmartstudios.com/LexiconValley
English Spelling is a Beautiful Mess
English is chock-full of letters that are not pronounced, which makes spelling a nightmare. X: @lexiconvalley Facebook: facebook.com/LexiconValley Website: booksmartstudios.com/LexiconValley Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Did the Founding Fathers Have a British Accent?
On the way early Americans may have spoken. X: @lexiconvalley Facebook: facebook.com/LexiconValley Website: booksmartstudios.com/LexiconValley
Did the Founding Fathers Have a British Accent?
On the way early Americans may have spoken. X: @lexiconvalley Facebook: facebook.com/LexiconValley Website: booksmartstudios.com/LexiconValley Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
No-Uh!
What's that extra sound we sometimes say at the end of words? X: @lexiconvalley Facebook: facebook.com/LexiconValley Website: booksmartstudios.com/LexiconValley
No-Uh!
What's that extra sound we sometimes say at the end of words? X: @lexiconvalley Facebook: facebook.com/LexiconValley Website: booksmartstudios.com/LexiconValley Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
The Inner Workings of Out
There's far more going on with out than you think. X: @lexiconvalley Facebook: facebook.com/LexiconValley Website: booksmartstudios.com/LexiconValley
The Inner Workings of Out
There's far more going on with out than you think. X: @lexiconvalley Facebook: facebook.com/LexiconValley Website: booksmartstudios.com/LexiconValley Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Words, For Her
The etymology of girl and other lady terms. X: @lexiconvalley Facebook: facebook.com/LexiconValley Website: booksmartstudios.com/LexiconValley
Words, For Her
The etymology of girl and other lady terms. X: @lexiconvalley Facebook: facebook.com/LexiconValley Website: booksmartstudios.com/LexiconValley Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
What's the Deal with Eleven?
From one to twenty — you can count on it! X: @lexiconvalley Facebook: facebook.com/LexiconValley Website: booksmartstudios.com/LexiconValley
What's the Deal with Eleven?
From one to twenty — you can count on it! X: @lexiconvalley Facebook: facebook.com/LexiconValley Website: booksmartstudios.com/LexiconValley Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
There Are Two N-Words
One of English's worst epithets has split in two. X: @lexiconvalley Facebook: facebook.com/LexiconValley Website: booksmartstudios.com/LexiconValley
There Are Two N-Words
One of English's worst epithets has split in two. X: @lexiconvalley Facebook: facebook.com/LexiconValley Website: booksmartstudios.com/LexiconValley Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
The Thing Is Is
Doubling up on the verb is, an explanation. X: @lexiconvalley Facebook: facebook.com/LexiconValley Website: booksmartstudios.com/LexiconValley
The Thing Is Is
Doubling up on the verb is, an explanation. X: @lexiconvalley Facebook: facebook.com/LexiconValley Website: booksmartstudios.com/LexiconValley Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
An Accidental Sanctity
Biblical scholar Mark Ward discusses his forthcoming book, Authorized. X: @lexiconvalley Facebook: facebook.com/LexiconValley Website: booksmartstudios.com/LexiconValley
An Accidental Sanctity
Biblical scholar Mark Ward discusses his forthcoming book, Authorized. X: @lexiconvalley Facebook: facebook.com/LexiconValley Website: booksmartstudios.com/LexiconValley Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Thanksgiving Misnomers
A holiday feast! X: @lexiconvalley Facebook: facebook.com/LexiconValley Website: booksmartstudios.com/LexiconValley
Thanksgiving Misnomers
A holiday feast! X: @lexiconvalley Facebook: facebook.com/LexiconValley Website: booksmartstudios.com/LexiconValley Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Sometimes Just Because
Much of language is merely a roll of the dice. X: @lexiconvalley Facebook: facebook.com/LexiconValley Website: booksmartstudios.com/LexiconValley
Sometimes Just Because
Much of language is merely a roll of the dice. X: @lexiconvalley Facebook: facebook.com/LexiconValley Website: booksmartstudios.com/LexiconValley Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Against Strunk and White
It’s time to permanently shelve The Elements of Style. X: @lexiconvalley Facebook: facebook.com/LexiconValley Website: booksmartstudios.com/LexiconValley
Against Strunk and White
It’s time to permanently shelve The Elements of Style. X: @lexiconvalley Facebook: facebook.com/LexiconValley Website: booksmartstudios.com/LexiconValley Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Whence Baby Mama?
Opening the listener mailbox. X: @lexiconvalley Facebook: facebook.com/LexiconValley Website: booksmartstudios.com/LexiconValley
Whence Baby Mama?
Opening the listener mailbox. X: @lexiconvalley Facebook: facebook.com/LexiconValley Website: booksmartstudios.com/LexiconValley Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Este No Es Parqueo
A brief ode to Spanish. X: @lexiconvalley Facebook: facebook.com/LexiconValley Website: booksmartstudios.com/LexiconValley
Este No Es Parqueo
A brief ode to Spanish. X: @lexiconvalley Facebook: facebook.com/LexiconValley Website: booksmartstudios.com/LexiconValley Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
From Pidgins to Creoles
On the birth of a new language. X: @lexiconvalley Facebook: facebook.com/LexiconValley Website: booksmartstudios.com/LexiconValley
From Pidgins to Creoles
On the birth of a new language. X: @lexiconvalley Facebook: facebook.com/LexiconValley Website: booksmartstudios.com/LexiconValley Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Do Languages Simplify Over Time?
Old English was more complicated in many ways than the English we speak today. X: @lexiconvalley Facebook: facebook.com/LexiconValley Website: booksmartstudios.com/LexiconValley
Do Languages Simplify Over Time?
Old English was more complicated in many ways than the English we speak today. X: @lexiconvalley Facebook: facebook.com/LexiconValley Website: booksmartstudios.com/LexiconValley Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Did Cavebabies Say Mama and Papa?
Cultures across the world have similar words for mom and dad. How is that possible? X: @lexiconvalley Facebook: facebook.com/LexiconValley Website: booksmartstudios.com/LexiconValley
Did Cavebabies Say Mama and Papa?
Cultures across the world have similar words for mom and dad. How is that possible? X: @lexiconvalley Facebook: facebook.com/LexiconValley Website: booksmartstudios.com/LexiconValley Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
New Life for Dying Languages
A conversation with Wil Meya of The Language Conservancy. X: @lexiconvalley Facebook: facebook.com/LexiconValley Website: booksmartstudios.com/LexiconValley
New Life for Dying Languages
A conversation with Wil Meya of The Language Conservancy. X: @lexiconvalley Facebook: facebook.com/LexiconValley Website: booksmartstudios.com/LexiconValley Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Negatory! A Brief History of No.
On the history and evolution of no and not. X: @lexiconvalley Facebook: facebook.com/LexiconValley Website: booksmartstudios.com/LexiconValley
Negatory! A Brief History of No.
On the history and evolution of no and not. X: @lexiconvalley Facebook: facebook.com/LexiconValley Website: booksmartstudios.com/LexiconValley Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Why Do Languages Have Contractions?
The economy and informality of contracting speech. X: @lexiconvalley Facebook: facebook.com/LexiconValley Website: booksmartstudios.com/LexiconValley
Why Do Languages Have Contractions?
The economy and informality of contracting speech. X: @lexiconvalley Facebook: facebook.com/LexiconValley Website: booksmartstudios.com/LexiconValley Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
The Incredible Lightness of Being
On the enduring unusualness of the verb to be. X: @lexiconvalley Facebook: facebook.com/LexiconValley Website: booksmartstudios.com/LexiconValley
The Incredible Lightness of Being
On the enduring unusualness of the verb to be. X: @lexiconvalley Facebook: facebook.com/LexiconValley Website: booksmartstudios.com/LexiconValley Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Is There a Jewish Way of Talking?
A high-involvement conversation with the hosts of the Unorthodox podcast. X: @lexiconvalley Facebook: facebook.com/LexiconValley Website: booksmartstudios.com/LexiconValley
Is There a Jewish Way of Talking?
A high-involvement conversation with the hosts of the Unorthodox podcast. X: @lexiconvalley Facebook: facebook.com/LexiconValley Website: booksmartstudios.com/LexiconValley Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Mining Graffiti for Slang
A conversation with lexicographer Ben Zimmer. X: @lexiconvalley Facebook: facebook.com/LexiconValley Website: booksmartstudios.com/LexiconValley
Mining Graffiti for Slang
A conversation with lexicographer Ben Zimmer. X: @lexiconvalley Facebook: facebook.com/LexiconValley Website: booksmartstudios.com/LexiconValley Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Don't Tell Me Reune Is Not a Word
On the near-futile impulse to determine what is, and what is not, a word. X: @lexiconvalley Facebook: facebook.com/LexiconValley Website: booksmartstudios.com/LexiconValley
Don't Tell Me Reune Is Not a Word
On the near-futile impulse to determine what is, and what is not, a word. X: @lexiconvalley Facebook: facebook.com/LexiconValley Website: booksmartstudios.com/LexiconValley Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
The Language of Female Friendships
A conversation with linguist Deborah Tannen. X: @lexiconvalley Facebook: facebook.com/LexiconValley Website: booksmartstudios.com/LexiconValley
The Language of Female Friendships
A conversation with linguist Deborah Tannen. X: @lexiconvalley Facebook: facebook.com/LexiconValley Website: booksmartstudios.com/LexiconValley Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
The Euphemism Treadmill
Why euphemisms tend not to stick around very long. X: @lexiconvalley Facebook: facebook.com/LexiconValley Website: booksmartstudios.com/LexiconValley
The Euphemism Treadmill
Why euphemisms tend not to stick around very long. X: @lexiconvalley Facebook: facebook.com/LexiconValley Website: booksmartstudios.com/LexiconValley Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Heyo, Let's Talk About Hamilton
A conversation with linguist Neal Whitman. X: @lexiconvalley Facebook: facebook.com/LexiconValley Website: booksmartstudios.com/LexiconValley
Heyo, Let's Talk About Hamilton
A conversation with linguist Neal Whitman. X: @lexiconvalley Facebook: facebook.com/LexiconValley Website: booksmartstudios.com/LexiconValley Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
How Did Americans Talk a Hundred Years Ago?
John McWhorter time travels to 1930 to eavesdrop on American English. X: @lexiconvalley Facebook: facebook.com/LexiconValley Website: booksmartstudios.com/LexiconValley
How Did Americans Talk a Hundred Years Ago?
John McWhorter time travels to 1930 to eavesdrop on American English. X: @lexiconvalley Facebook: facebook.com/LexiconValley Website: booksmartstudios.com/LexiconValley Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Like, Why Do We Use Like So Much?
A conversation with sociolinguist Alexandra D’Arcy X: @lexiconvalley Facebook: facebook.com/LexiconValley Website: booksmartstudios.com/LexiconValley
Like, Why Do We Use Like So Much?
A conversation with sociolinguist Alexandra D’Arcy X: @lexiconvalley Facebook: facebook.com/LexiconValley Website: booksmartstudios.com/LexiconValley Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
What Had Happened Was Storytelling
John McWhorter discusses his new book, Talking Back, Talking Black. X: @lexiconvalley Facebook: facebook.com/LexiconValley Website: booksmartstudios.com/LexiconValley
What Had Happened Was Storytelling
John McWhorter discusses his new book, Talking Back, Talking Black. X: @lexiconvalley Facebook: facebook.com/LexiconValley Website: booksmartstudios.com/LexiconValley Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Why We Stopped Teaching Children How to Read
A conversation with Mark Seidenberg, author of Language at the Speed of Sight. X: @lexiconvalley Facebook: facebook.com/LexiconValley Website: booksmartstudios.com/LexiconValley
Why We Stopped Teaching Children How to Read
A conversation with Mark Seidenberg, author of Language at the Speed of Sight. X: @lexiconvalley Facebook: facebook.com/LexiconValley Website: booksmartstudios.com/LexiconValley Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Away in a Penthouse, the Little Lord Jesus
When hath gave way to has, plus the original meaning of merry. X: @lexiconvalley Facebook: facebook.com/LexiconValley Website: booksmartstudios.com/LexiconValley
Away in a Penthouse, the Little Lord Jesus
When hath gave way to has, plus the original meaning of merry. X: @lexiconvalley Facebook: facebook.com/LexiconValley Website: booksmartstudios.com/LexiconValley Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
What "The Wizard of Oz" Can Tell Us About "Arrival"
In Arrival, Amy Adams plays a linguist who discovers that language can radically alter a person’s sense of reality. Can it actually? X: @lexiconvalley Facebook: facebook.com/LexiconValley Website: booksmartstudios.com/LexiconValley
What "The Wizard of Oz" Can Tell Us About "Arrival"
In Arrival, Amy Adams plays a linguist who discovers that language can radically alter a person’s sense of reality. Can it actually? X: @lexiconvalley Facebook: facebook.com/LexiconValley Website: booksmartstudios.com/LexiconValley Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Black Like Us
Are the slang, sounds and syntax of Black English a kind of universal patois for America’s youth? X: @lexiconvalley Facebook: facebook.com/LexiconValley Website: booksmartstudios.com/LexiconValley
Black Like Us
Are the slang, sounds and syntax of Black English a kind of universal patois for America’s youth? X: @lexiconvalley Facebook: facebook.com/LexiconValley Website: booksmartstudios.com/LexiconValley Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Language Lessons of Past Presidents
Some unwitting English instruction from previous U.S. presidents. X: @lexiconvalley Facebook: facebook.com/LexiconValley Website: booksmartstudios.com/LexiconValley
Language Lessons of Past Presidents
Some unwitting English instruction from previous U.S. presidents. X: @lexiconvalley Facebook: facebook.com/LexiconValley Website: booksmartstudios.com/LexiconValley Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
How You Vanquished Ye, Thee and Thou
How our rich and complex system of second-person pronouns got whittled down to just you. X: @lexiconvalley Facebook: facebook.com/LexiconValley Website: booksmartstudios.com/LexiconValley
How You Vanquished Ye, Thee and Thou
How our rich and complex system of second-person pronouns got whittled down to just you. X: @lexiconvalley Facebook: facebook.com/LexiconValley Website: booksmartstudios.com/LexiconValley Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Why Do People in Old Movies Talk Like That?
On the peculiar speech patterns of early 20th century Americans. X: @lexiconvalley Facebook: facebook.com/LexiconValley Website: booksmartstudios.com/LexiconValley
Why Do People in Old Movies Talk Like That?
On the peculiar speech patterns of early 20th century Americans. X: @lexiconvalley Facebook: facebook.com/LexiconValley Website: booksmartstudios.com/LexiconValley Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Billy and Me Went to the Store
On the unwritten rules of pronouns. X: @lexiconvalley Facebook: facebook.com/LexiconValley Website: booksmartstudios.com/LexiconValley
Billy and Me Went to the Store
On the unwritten rules of pronouns. X: @lexiconvalley Facebook: facebook.com/LexiconValley Website: booksmartstudios.com/LexiconValley Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
What Is a Dictionary, Really?
A conversation with John Simpson, former editor of the Oxford English Dictionary. X: @lexiconvalley Facebook: facebook.com/LexiconValley Website: booksmartstudios.com/LexiconValley
What Is a Dictionary, Really?
A conversation with John Simpson, former editor of the Oxford English Dictionary. X: @lexiconvalley Facebook: facebook.com/LexiconValley Website: booksmartstudios.com/LexiconValley Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
The Invisible Language of Nursery Rhymes
What does Hickory Dickory Dock really mean? X: @lexiconvalley Facebook: facebook.com/LexiconValley Website: booksmartstudios.com/LexiconValley
The Invisible Language of Nursery Rhymes
What does Hickory Dickory Dock really mean? X: @lexiconvalley Facebook: facebook.com/LexiconValley Website: booksmartstudios.com/LexiconValley Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Word Sex
Where do new words come from? Often old words. X: @lexiconvalley Facebook: facebook.com/LexiconValley Website: booksmartstudios.com/LexiconValley
Word Sex
Where do new words come from? Often old words. X: @lexiconvalley Facebook: facebook.com/LexiconValley Website: booksmartstudios.com/LexiconValley Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Should Shakespeare Get a Modern English Makeover?
A conversation with Jack Lynch, author of Becoming Shakespeare: The Unlikely Afterlife That Turned a Provincial Playwright into the Bard. X: @lexiconvalley Facebook: facebook.com/LexiconValley Website: booksmartstudios.com/LexiconValley
Should Shakespeare Get a Modern English Makeover?
A conversation with Jack Lynch, author of Becoming Shakespeare: The Unlikely Afterlife That Turned a Provincial Playwright into the Bard. X: @lexiconvalley Facebook: facebook.com/LexiconValley Website: booksmartstudios.com/LexiconValley Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Are Emoji a Language?
A conversation with Gretchen McCulloch on the big meaning behind our favorite little pictograms. X: @lexiconvalley Facebook: facebook.com/LexiconValley Website: booksmartstudios.com/LexiconValley
Are Emoji a Language?
A conversation with Gretchen McCulloch on the big meaning behind our favorite little pictograms. X: @lexiconvalley Facebook: facebook.com/LexiconValley Website: booksmartstudios.com/LexiconValley Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Finding Life in a Dead Language
A conversation with Ann Patty, author of Living With a Dead Language, about her transformative experience learning Latin. X: @lexiconvalley Facebook: facebook.com/LexiconValley Website: booksmartstudios.com/LexiconValley
Finding Life in a Dead Language
A conversation with Ann Patty, author of Living With a Dead Language, about her transformative experience learning Latin. X: @lexiconvalley Facebook: facebook.com/LexiconValley Website: booksmartstudios.com/LexiconValley Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Rules Are Made to Be Spoken
A conversation with Sali Tagliamonte, author of Making Waves: The Story of Variationist Sociolinguistics. X: @lexiconvalley Facebook: facebook.com/LexiconValley Website: booksmartstudios.com/LexiconValley
Rules Are Made to Be Spoken
A conversation with Sali Tagliamonte, author of Making Waves: The Story of Variationist Sociolinguistics. X: @lexiconvalley Facebook: facebook.com/LexiconValley Website: booksmartstudios.com/LexiconValley Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Should We Make English Spelling Easier?
A conversation with etymologist Anatoly Liberman, author of Word Origins and How We Know Them. X: @lexiconvalley Facebook: facebook.com/LexiconValley Website: booksmartstudios.com/LexiconValley
Should We Make English Spelling Easier?
A conversation with etymologist Anatoly Liberman, author of Word Origins and How We Know Them. X: @lexiconvalley Facebook: facebook.com/LexiconValley Website: booksmartstudios.com/LexiconValley Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Your Brain on Profanity
Benjamin K. Bergen, author of What the F: What Swearing Reveals About Our Language, Our Brains, and Ourselves, discusses the science of cursing. X: @lexiconvalley Facebook: facebook.com/LexiconValley Website: booksmartstudios.com/LexiconValley
Your Brain on Profanity
Benjamin K. Bergen, author of What the F: What Swearing Reveals About Our Language, Our Brains, and Ourselves, discusses the science of cursing. X: @lexiconvalley Facebook: facebook.com/LexiconValley Website: booksmartstudios.com/LexiconValley Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
LinguaFile XXIV | Roshambo
Why some people call rock-paper-scissors roshambo, with lexicographer Ben Zimmer. X: @lexiconvalley Facebook: facebook.com/LexiconValley Website: booksmartstudios.com/LexiconValley
LinguaFile XXIV | Roshambo
Why some people call rock-paper-scissors roshambo, with lexicographer Ben Zimmer. X: @lexiconvalley Facebook: facebook.com/LexiconValley Website: booksmartstudios.com/LexiconValley Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
The Blaccent
Linguist John McWhorter says the so-called blaccent is largely about vowel sounds. X: @lexiconvalley Facebook: facebook.com/LexiconValley Website: booksmartstudios.com/LexiconValley
The Blaccent
Linguist John McWhorter says the so-called blaccent is largely about vowel sounds. X: @lexiconvalley Facebook: facebook.com/LexiconValley Website: booksmartstudios.com/LexiconValley Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
LinguaFile XXIII | Red Herring
How Clupea harengus — a.k.a. Atlantic herring — came to signify a diversionary tactic, with lexicographer Ben Zimmer. X: @lexiconvalley Facebook: facebook.com/LexiconValley Website: booksmartstudios.com/LexiconValley
LinguaFile XXIII | Red Herring
How Clupea harengus — a.k.a. Atlantic herring — came to signify a diversionary tactic, with lexicographer Ben Zimmer. X: @lexiconvalley Facebook: facebook.com/LexiconValley Website: booksmartstudios.com/LexiconValley Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Defecation Presentation
The earliest known example of "sh-t show" is from an English-language translation of a 1970s criminal trial in Germany. But what was the word or phrase being translated? X: @lexiconvalley Facebook: facebook.com/LexiconValley Website: booksmartstudios.com/LexiconValley
Defecation Presentation
The earliest known example of "sh-t show" is from an English-language translation of a 1970s criminal trial in Germany. But what was the word or phrase being translated? X: @lexiconvalley Facebook: facebook.com/LexiconValley Website: booksmartstudios.com/LexiconValley Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
LinguaFile XXII | Grain of Salt
On the origin of a skeptical phrase, with lexicographer Ben Zimmer. X: @lexiconvalley Facebook: facebook.com/LexiconValley Website: booksmartstudios.com/LexiconValley
LinguaFile XXII | Grain of Salt
On the origin of a skeptical phrase, with lexicographer Ben Zimmer. X: @lexiconvalley Facebook: facebook.com/LexiconValley Website: booksmartstudios.com/LexiconValley Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
The Full, Firm, Valiant and Heavy-Hearted Trump
When exactly did sad become an insult? X: @lexiconvalley Facebook: facebook.com/LexiconValley Website: booksmartstudios.com/LexiconValley
The Full, Firm, Valiant and Heavy-Hearted Trump
When exactly did sad become an insult? X: @lexiconvalley Facebook: facebook.com/LexiconValley Website: booksmartstudios.com/LexiconValley Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
LinguaFile XXI | Wazzock
A peculiar insult from the north of England has the Oxford English Dictionary stumped, with lexicographer Ben Zimmer. X: @lexiconvalley Facebook: facebook.com/LexiconValley Website: booksmartstudios.com/LexiconValley
LinguaFile XXI | Wazzock
A peculiar insult from the north of England has the Oxford English Dictionary stumped, with lexicographer Ben Zimmer. X: @lexiconvalley Facebook: facebook.com/LexiconValley Website: booksmartstudios.com/LexiconValley Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
The Fall and Rise of the Singular They
A pronoun that English borrowed from its Scandinavian neighbors gets new life as an alternative to he and she. X: @lexiconvalley Facebook: facebook.com/LexiconValley Website: booksmartstudios.com/LexiconValley
The Fall and Rise of the Singular They
A pronoun that English borrowed from its Scandinavian neighbors gets new life as an alternative to he and she. X: @lexiconvalley Facebook: facebook.com/LexiconValley Website: booksmartstudios.com/LexiconValley Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
LinguaFile XX | In Cahoots
The curious case of a conspiratorial coinage, with lexicographer Ben Zimmer. X: @lexiconvalley Facebook: facebook.com/LexiconValley Website: booksmartstudios.com/LexiconValley
LinguaFile XX | In Cahoots
The curious case of a conspiratorial coinage, with lexicographer Ben Zimmer. X: @lexiconvalley Facebook: facebook.com/LexiconValley Website: booksmartstudios.com/LexiconValley Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Tears of Joy, Identity and a Prism of Isms
Editors at Merriam-Webster, Oxford University Press and Dictionary.com discuss the one word they believe best represents 2015. X: @lexiconvalley Facebook: facebook.com/LexiconValley Website: booksmartstudios.com/LexiconValley
Tears of Joy, Identity and a Prism of Isms
Editors at Merriam-Webster, Oxford University Press and Dictionary.com discuss the one word they believe best represents 2015. X: @lexiconvalley Facebook: facebook.com/LexiconValley Website: booksmartstudios.com/LexiconValley Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
LinguaFile XIX | 86'd
On the early-20th-century origins of a bizarre food-industry code, with lexicographer Ben Zimmer. X: @lexiconvalley Facebook: facebook.com/LexiconValley Website: booksmartstudios.com/LexiconValley
LinguaFile XIX | 86'd
On the early-20th-century origins of a bizarre food-industry code, with lexicographer Ben Zimmer. X: @lexiconvalley Facebook: facebook.com/LexiconValley Website: booksmartstudios.com/LexiconValley Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Snoozefest
The energetic history of the word sleep. X: @lexiconvalley Facebook: facebook.com/LexiconValley Website: booksmartstudios.com/LexiconValley
Snoozefest
The energetic history of the word sleep. X: @lexiconvalley Facebook: facebook.com/LexiconValley Website: booksmartstudios.com/LexiconValley Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
LinguaFile XVIII | Hootenanny
On a word that was popularized during the 1940s folk movement, with lexicographer Ben Zimmer. X: @lexiconvalley Facebook: facebook.com/LexiconValley Website: booksmartstudios.com/LexiconValley
LinguaFile XVIII | Hootenanny
On a word that was popularized during the 1940s folk movement, with lexicographer Ben Zimmer. X: @lexiconvalley Facebook: facebook.com/LexiconValley Website: booksmartstudios.com/LexiconValley Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
A Cat, a Coward and Female Genitalia
The etymological quirkiness of the word pussy. X: @lexiconvalley Facebook: facebook.com/LexiconValley Website: booksmartstudios.com/LexiconValley
A Cat, a Coward and Female Genitalia
The etymological quirkiness of the word pussy. X: @lexiconvalley Facebook: facebook.com/LexiconValley Website: booksmartstudios.com/LexiconValley Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
LinguaFile XVII | Humdinger
On a real beauty of a word, with lexicographer Ben Zimmer. X: @lexiconvalley Facebook: facebook.com/LexiconValley Website: booksmartstudios.com/LexiconValley
LinguaFile XVII | Humdinger
On a real beauty of a word, with lexicographer Ben Zimmer. X: @lexiconvalley Facebook: facebook.com/LexiconValley Website: booksmartstudios.com/LexiconValley Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Seven Centuries of F--ks
On a recent revelation regarding the history of one our most enduring expletives. X: @lexiconvalley Facebook: facebook.com/LexiconValley Website: booksmartstudios.com/LexiconValley
Seven Centuries of F--ks
On a recent revelation regarding the history of one our most enduring expletives. X: @lexiconvalley Facebook: facebook.com/LexiconValley Website: booksmartstudios.com/LexiconValley Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
LinguaFile XVI | Boondoggle
On the origins of a very wasteful word, with lexicographer Ben Zimmer. X: @lexiconvalley Facebook: facebook.com/LexiconValley Website: booksmartstudios.com/LexiconValley
LinguaFile XVI | Boondoggle
On the origins of a very wasteful word, with lexicographer Ben Zimmer. X: @lexiconvalley Facebook: facebook.com/LexiconValley Website: booksmartstudios.com/LexiconValley Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
How New York Became the Big Apple
New York City is big, sure, but why an apple? X: @lexiconvalley Facebook: facebook.com/LexiconValley Website: booksmartstudios.com/LexiconValley
How New York Became the Big Apple
New York City is big, sure, but why an apple? X: @lexiconvalley Facebook: facebook.com/LexiconValley Website: booksmartstudios.com/LexiconValley Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
LinguaFile XV | Gringo
On the origin of a Spanish-language pejorative, with lexicographer Ben Zimmer. X: @lexiconvalley Facebook: facebook.com/LexiconValley Website: booksmartstudios.com/LexiconValley
LinguaFile XV | Gringo
On the origin of a Spanish-language pejorative, with lexicographer Ben Zimmer. X: @lexiconvalley Facebook: facebook.com/LexiconValley Website: booksmartstudios.com/LexiconValley Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
What Do You Mean What Is It Like?
On “a literary history of the strange expression ‘what is it like?’” — with lexicographer Anne Seaton. X: @lexiconvalley Facebook: facebook.com/LexiconValley Website: booksmartstudios.com/LexiconValley
What Do You Mean What Is It Like?
On “a literary history of the strange expression ‘what is it like?’” — with lexicographer Anne Seaton. X: @lexiconvalley Facebook: facebook.com/LexiconValley Website: booksmartstudios.com/LexiconValley Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
LinguaFile XIV | Heebie Jeebies
On the jittery history of a nervous term, with lexicographer Ben Zimmer. X: @lexiconvalley Facebook: facebook.com/LexiconValley Website: booksmartstudios.com/LexiconValley
LinguaFile XIV | Heebie Jeebies
On the jittery history of a nervous term, with lexicographer Ben Zimmer. X: @lexiconvalley Facebook: facebook.com/LexiconValley Website: booksmartstudios.com/LexiconValley Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
What's the Deal with Translating Seinfeld?
Seinfeld has been dubbed into other languages, but does it actually translate? X: @lexiconvalley Facebook: facebook.com/LexiconValley Website: booksmartstudios.com/LexiconValley
What's the Deal with Translating Seinfeld?
Seinfeld has been dubbed into other languages, but does it actually translate? X: @lexiconvalley Facebook: facebook.com/LexiconValley Website: booksmartstudios.com/LexiconValley Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
LinguaFile XIII | Bozo
On the etymology of a doofy and goofy word, with lexicographer Ben Zimmer. X: @lexiconvalley Facebook: facebook.com/LexiconValley Website: booksmartstudios.com/LexiconValley
LinguaFile XIII | Bozo
On the etymology of a doofy and goofy word, with lexicographer Ben Zimmer. X: @lexiconvalley Facebook: facebook.com/LexiconValley Website: booksmartstudios.com/LexiconValley Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
The Pollyanna Hypothesis
Are we humans a mostly positive people? Our language says yes. X: @lexiconvalley Facebook: facebook.com/LexiconValley Website: booksmartstudios.com/LexiconValley
The Pollyanna Hypothesis
Are we humans a mostly positive people? Our language says yes. X: @lexiconvalley Facebook: facebook.com/LexiconValley Website: booksmartstudios.com/LexiconValley Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
LinguaFile XII | Kibitz
Adding our two cents' worth from the peanut gallery, with lexicographer Ben Zimmer. X: @lexiconvalley Facebook: facebook.com/LexiconValley Website: booksmartstudios.com/LexiconValley
LinguaFile XII | Kibitz
Adding our two cents' worth from the peanut gallery, with lexicographer Ben Zimmer. X: @lexiconvalley Facebook: facebook.com/LexiconValley Website: booksmartstudios.com/LexiconValley Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
M'athchomaroon, Zhey Lajak Vezhven!
Conlanger David J. Peterson on the art and craft of inventing languages for Game of Thrones. X: @lexiconvalley Facebook: facebook.com/LexiconValley Website: booksmartstudios.com/LexiconValley
M'athchomaroon, Zhey Lajak Vezhven!
Conlanger David J. Peterson on the art and craft of inventing languages for Game of Thrones. X: @lexiconvalley Facebook: facebook.com/LexiconValley Website: booksmartstudios.com/LexiconValley Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
LinguaFile XI | Seersucker
On a well-traveled fabric, featuring lexicographer Ben Zimmer. X: @lexiconvalley Facebook: facebook.com/LexiconValley Website: booksmartstudios.com/LexiconValley
LinguaFile XI | Seersucker
On a well-traveled fabric, featuring lexicographer Ben Zimmer. X: @lexiconvalley Facebook: facebook.com/LexiconValley Website: booksmartstudios.com/LexiconValley Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Double, Double, Toil and Trouble
You don't know nuthin' about the double negative. X: @lexiconvalley Facebook: facebook.com/LexiconValley Website: booksmartstudios.com/LexiconValley
Double, Double, Toil and Trouble
You don't know nuthin' about the double negative. X: @lexiconvalley Facebook: facebook.com/LexiconValley Website: booksmartstudios.com/LexiconValley Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
LinguaFile X | Pumpernickel
On the flatulent history of a popular deli staple, featuring lexicographer Ben Zimmer. X: @lexiconvalley Facebook: facebook.com/LexiconValley Website: booksmartstudios.com/LexiconValley
LinguaFile X | Pumpernickel
On the flatulent history of a popular deli staple, featuring lexicographer Ben Zimmer. X: @lexiconvalley Facebook: facebook.com/LexiconValley Website: booksmartstudios.com/LexiconValley Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
And Infinitum
On a quirk of grammar that Henry Fowler felt “should not be discountenanced.” X: @lexiconvalley Facebook: facebook.com/LexiconValley Website: booksmartstudios.com/LexiconValley
And Infinitum
On a quirk of grammar that Henry Fowler felt “should not be discountenanced.” X: @lexiconvalley Facebook: facebook.com/LexiconValley Website: booksmartstudios.com/LexiconValley Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
LinguaFile IX | Carnival
On the contested origin of a gluttonous word, featuring lexicographer Ben Zimmer. X: @lexiconvalley Facebook: facebook.com/LexiconValley Website: booksmartstudios.com/LexiconValley
LinguaFile IX | Carnival
On the contested origin of a gluttonous word, featuring lexicographer Ben Zimmer. X: @lexiconvalley Facebook: facebook.com/LexiconValley Website: booksmartstudios.com/LexiconValley Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Sex Workers
The rise and fall of the feminine ending. X: @lexiconvalley Facebook: facebook.com/LexiconValley Website: booksmartstudios.com/LexiconValley
Sex Workers
The rise and fall of the feminine ending. X: @lexiconvalley Facebook: facebook.com/LexiconValley Website: booksmartstudios.com/LexiconValley Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
LinguaFile VIII | Quiz
On the etymology of a puzzling word, featuring lexicographer Ben Zimmer. X: @lexiconvalley Facebook: facebook.com/LexiconValley Website: booksmartstudios.com/LexiconValley
LinguaFile VIII | Quiz
On the etymology of a puzzling word, featuring lexicographer Ben Zimmer. X: @lexiconvalley Facebook: facebook.com/LexiconValley Website: booksmartstudios.com/LexiconValley Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
The Many Lives of Anna Karenina
Just how faithful should a translator be to the original? X: @lexiconvalley Facebook: facebook.com/LexiconValley Website: booksmartstudios.com/LexiconValley
The Many Lives of Anna Karenina
Just how faithful should a translator be to the original? X: @lexiconvalley Facebook: facebook.com/LexiconValley Website: booksmartstudios.com/LexiconValley Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
LinguaFile VII | Cockamamie
On the Yiddish-inflected origin of a crazy word, featuring lexicographer Ben Zimmer. X: @lexiconvalley Facebook: facebook.com/LexiconValley Website: booksmartstudios.com/LexiconValley
LinguaFile VII | Cockamamie
On the Yiddish-inflected origin of a crazy word, featuring lexicographer Ben Zimmer. X: @lexiconvalley Facebook: facebook.com/LexiconValley Website: booksmartstudios.com/LexiconValley Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Exposure to Vape Culture
Editors at Merriam-Webster, Oxford University Press, Dictionary.com and Wordnik discuss their rationale for choosing the one word that best represents 2014. X: @lexiconvalley Facebook: facebook.com/LexiconValley Website: booksmartstudios.com/LexiconValley
Exposure to Vape Culture
Editors at Merriam-Webster, Oxford University Press, Dictionary.com and Wordnik discuss their rationale for choosing the one word that best represents 2014. X: @lexiconvalley Facebook: facebook.com/LexiconValley Website: booksmartstudios.com/LexiconValley Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
LinguaFile VI | Grog
On the etymology of a potent word, featuring lexicographer Ben Zimmer. X: @lexiconvalley Facebook: facebook.com/LexiconValley Website: booksmartstudios.com/LexiconValley
LinguaFile VI | Grog
On the etymology of a potent word, featuring lexicographer Ben Zimmer. X: @lexiconvalley Facebook: facebook.com/LexiconValley Website: booksmartstudios.com/LexiconValley Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
What Does It Mean to Sound Gay?
Can you tell if a man is gay by the way he speaks? X: @lexiconvalley Facebook: facebook.com/LexiconValley Website: booksmartstudios.com/LexiconValley
What Does It Mean to Sound Gay?
Can you tell if a man is gay by the way he speaks? X: @lexiconvalley Facebook: facebook.com/LexiconValley Website: booksmartstudios.com/LexiconValley Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
LinguaFile V | Get One's Goat
On the etymology of a provocative phrase, featuring lexicographer Ben Zimmer. X: @lexiconvalley Facebook: facebook.com/LexiconValley Website: booksmartstudios.com/LexiconValley
LinguaFile V | Get One's Goat
On the etymology of a provocative phrase, featuring lexicographer Ben Zimmer. X: @lexiconvalley Facebook: facebook.com/LexiconValley Website: booksmartstudios.com/LexiconValley Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Number Theory
How many blackbirds were baked in that pie? X: @lexiconvalley Facebook: facebook.com/LexiconValley Website: booksmartstudios.com/LexiconValley
Number Theory
How many blackbirds were baked in that pie? X: @lexiconvalley Facebook: facebook.com/LexiconValley Website: booksmartstudios.com/LexiconValley Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
LinguaFile IV | Snark
On the etymology of a sarcastic word, featuring lexicographer Ben Zimmer. X: @lexiconvalley Facebook: facebook.com/LexiconValley Website: booksmartstudios.com/LexiconValley
LinguaFile IV | Snark
On the etymology of a sarcastic word, featuring lexicographer Ben Zimmer. X: @lexiconvalley Facebook: facebook.com/LexiconValley Website: booksmartstudios.com/LexiconValley Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Man on the Street
Jonathon Green's decades-long quest to document slang throughout the English-speaking world. X: @lexiconvalley Facebook: facebook.com/LexiconValley Website: booksmartstudios.com/LexiconValley
Man on the Street
Jonathon Green's decades-long quest to document slang throughout the English-speaking world. X: @lexiconvalley Facebook: facebook.com/LexiconValley Website: booksmartstudios.com/LexiconValley Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
LinguaFile III | Orange
On the etymology of a well-traveled and colorful word, featuring lexicographer Ben Zimmer. X: @lexiconvalley Facebook: facebook.com/LexiconValley Website: booksmartstudios.com/LexiconValley
LinguaFile III | Orange
On the etymology of a well-traveled and colorful word, featuring lexicographer Ben Zimmer. X: @lexiconvalley Facebook: facebook.com/LexiconValley Website: booksmartstudios.com/LexiconValley Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Demonstratively Speaking
On the rhetorical effect of this, that, these and those. X: @lexiconvalley Facebook: facebook.com/LexiconValley Website: booksmartstudios.com/LexiconValley
Demonstratively Speaking
On the rhetorical effect of this, that, these and those. X: @lexiconvalley Facebook: facebook.com/LexiconValley Website: booksmartstudios.com/LexiconValley Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
LinguaFile II | Lagniappe
On the etymology of a gratuitous word, featuring lexicographer Ben Zimmer. X: @lexiconvalley Facebook: facebook.com/LexiconValley Website: booksmartstudios.com/LexiconValley
LinguaFile II | Lagniappe
On the etymology of a gratuitous word, featuring lexicographer Ben Zimmer. X: @lexiconvalley Facebook: facebook.com/LexiconValley Website: booksmartstudios.com/LexiconValley Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
The Manic Pixie and the Magical Negro
Journalists Nathan Rabin and Christopher John Farley on the pitfalls of coining a viral term. X: @lexiconvalley Facebook: facebook.com/LexiconValley Website: booksmartstudios.com/LexiconValley
The Manic Pixie and the Magical Negro
Journalists Nathan Rabin and Christopher John Farley on the pitfalls of coining a viral term. X: @lexiconvalley Facebook: facebook.com/LexiconValley Website: booksmartstudios.com/LexiconValley Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
LinguaFile I | Discombobulate
On the etymology of a bewildering word, featuring lexicographer Ben Zimmer. X: @lexiconvalley Facebook: facebook.com/LexiconValley Website: booksmartstudios.com/LexiconValley
LinguaFile I | Discombobulate
On the etymology of a bewildering word, featuring lexicographer Ben Zimmer. X: @lexiconvalley Facebook: facebook.com/LexiconValley Website: booksmartstudios.com/LexiconValley Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Fisherman's Whorf
On The Language Hoax, in which author and linguist John McWhorter pushes back against the idea that language affects culture. X: @lexiconvalley Facebook: facebook.com/LexiconValley Website: booksmartstudios.com/LexiconValley
Fisherman's Whorf
On The Language Hoax, in which author and linguist John McWhorter pushes back against the idea that language affects culture. X: @lexiconvalley Facebook: facebook.com/LexiconValley Website: booksmartstudios.com/LexiconValley Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Legislating Language
Our next witness, Your Honor, is the dictionary — court cases in which lexicography played a starring role. X: @lexiconvalley Facebook: facebook.com/LexiconValley Website: booksmartstudios.com/LexiconValley
Legislating Language
Our next witness, Your Honor, is the dictionary — court cases in which lexicography played a starring role. X: @lexiconvalley Facebook: facebook.com/LexiconValley Website: booksmartstudios.com/LexiconValley Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
The Dude Abides
The early history of dudery, starring swells and fops and with a cameo by Mark Twain. X: @lexiconvalley Facebook: facebook.com/LexiconValley Website: booksmartstudios.com/LexiconValley
The Dude Abides
The early history of dudery, starring swells and fops and with a cameo by Mark Twain. X: @lexiconvalley Facebook: facebook.com/LexiconValley Website: booksmartstudios.com/LexiconValley Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Learning to Say No
The surprisingly complex taxonomy of simple negation. X: @lexiconvalley Facebook: facebook.com/LexiconValley Website: booksmartstudios.com/LexiconValley
Learning to Say No
The surprisingly complex taxonomy of simple negation. X: @lexiconvalley Facebook: facebook.com/LexiconValley Website: booksmartstudios.com/LexiconValley Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Ask Not Who Wrote "Ask Not"
The crowdsourcing of JFK’s most iconic speech: Crafting President Kennedy’s inaugural address. X: @lexiconvalley Facebook: facebook.com/LexiconValley Website: booksmartstudios.com/LexiconValley
Ask Not Who Wrote "Ask Not"
The crowdsourcing of JFK’s most iconic speech: Crafting President Kennedy’s inaugural address. X: @lexiconvalley Facebook: facebook.com/LexiconValley Website: booksmartstudios.com/LexiconValley Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
The End of Ambiguity
On an invented language that forces you to choose your words carefully. X: @lexiconvalley Facebook: facebook.com/LexiconValley Website: booksmartstudios.com/LexiconValley
The End of Ambiguity
On an invented language that forces you to choose your words carefully. X: @lexiconvalley Facebook: facebook.com/LexiconValley Website: booksmartstudios.com/LexiconValley Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
The Burden of Being Right
Embracing the hand-slapping, prescriptivist schoolmarm in all of us. X: @lexiconvalley Facebook: facebook.com/LexiconValley Website: booksmartstudios.com/LexiconValley
The Burden of Being Right
Embracing the hand-slapping, prescriptivist schoolmarm in all of us. X: @lexiconvalley Facebook: facebook.com/LexiconValley Website: booksmartstudios.com/LexiconValley Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Name That Tone
How tonal languages such as Cantonese might give would-be musicians a leg up. X: @lexiconvalley Facebook: facebook.com/LexiconValley Website: booksmartstudios.com/LexiconValley
Name That Tone
How tonal languages such as Cantonese might give would-be musicians a leg up. X: @lexiconvalley Facebook: facebook.com/LexiconValley Website: booksmartstudios.com/LexiconValley Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Eject at High Altitude
The uncanny correlation between altitude and language development with Caleb Everett. X: @lexiconvalley Facebook: facebook.com/LexiconValley Website: booksmartstudios.com/LexiconValley
Eject at High Altitude
The uncanny correlation between altitude and language development with Caleb Everett. X: @lexiconvalley Facebook: facebook.com/LexiconValley Website: booksmartstudios.com/LexiconValley Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
30 Million By Four
How to raise verbal children: Why talking to your kids is one of the most important investments you can make in their future. X: @lexiconvalley Facebook: facebook.com/LexiconValley Website: booksmartstudios.com/LexiconValley
30 Million By Four
How to raise verbal children: Why talking to your kids is one of the most important investments you can make in their future. X: @lexiconvalley Facebook: facebook.com/LexiconValley Website: booksmartstudios.com/LexiconValley Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
A Brief History of Swearing
On profanity and obscenity with author Melissa Mohr. X: @lexiconvalley Facebook: facebook.com/LexiconValley Website: booksmartstudios.com/LexiconValley
A Brief History of Swearing
On profanity and obscenity with author Melissa Mohr. X: @lexiconvalley Facebook: facebook.com/LexiconValley Website: booksmartstudios.com/LexiconValley Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Accentuate the Positive
Yeah, no: On the seemingly paradoxical phrase and its hidden logic. X: @lexiconvalley Facebook: facebook.com/LexiconValley Website: booksmartstudios.com/LexiconValley
Accentuate the Positive
Yeah, no: On the seemingly paradoxical phrase and its hidden logic. X: @lexiconvalley Facebook: facebook.com/LexiconValley Website: booksmartstudios.com/LexiconValley Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
The Fawth Flaw, Part II
The fall and rise of rhoticity (pronouncing your Rs) in New York City English. X: @lexiconvalley Facebook: facebook.com/LexiconValley Website: booksmartstudios.com/LexiconValley
The Fawth Flaw, Part II
The fall and rise of rhoticity (pronouncing your Rs) in New York City English. X: @lexiconvalley Facebook: facebook.com/LexiconValley Website: booksmartstudios.com/LexiconValley Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
The Fawth Flaw
A classic study about R-dropping in Manhattan department stores and so-called "prestige borrowing." X: @lexiconvalley Facebook: facebook.com/LexiconValley Website: booksmartstudios.com/LexiconValley
The Fawth Flaw
A classic study about R-dropping in Manhattan department stores and so-called "prestige borrowing." X: @lexiconvalley Facebook: facebook.com/LexiconValley Website: booksmartstudios.com/LexiconValley Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Get Your Creak On
On the vocal phenomenon called creaky voice or vocal fry. X: @lexiconvalley Facebook: facebook.com/LexiconValley Website: booksmartstudios.com/LexiconValley
Get Your Creak On
On the vocal phenomenon called creaky voice or vocal fry. X: @lexiconvalley Facebook: facebook.com/LexiconValley Website: booksmartstudios.com/LexiconValley Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Good Is Up
Why the phrase "fiscal cliff" is such a powerful metaphor. X: @lexiconvalley Facebook: facebook.com/LexiconValley Website: booksmartstudios.com/LexiconValley
Good Is Up
Why the phrase "fiscal cliff" is such a powerful metaphor. X: @lexiconvalley Facebook: facebook.com/LexiconValley Website: booksmartstudios.com/LexiconValley Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Talking Leaves and Lightning Paper
Sequoyah: The Cherokee man who invented an alphabet for his language. X: @lexiconvalley Facebook: facebook.com/LexiconValley Website: booksmartstudios.com/LexiconValley
Talking Leaves and Lightning Paper
Sequoyah: The Cherokee man who invented an alphabet for his language. X: @lexiconvalley Facebook: facebook.com/LexiconValley Website: booksmartstudios.com/LexiconValley Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Undocumented Illegals
The heated debate over language at the heart of U.S. immigration policy. X: @lexiconvalley Facebook: facebook.com/LexiconValley Website: booksmartstudios.com/LexiconValley
Undocumented Illegals
The heated debate over language at the heart of U.S. immigration policy. X: @lexiconvalley Facebook: facebook.com/LexiconValley Website: booksmartstudios.com/LexiconValley Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Death to Potatoes
On the all-important role that language translation — and mistranslation — plays in our lives, with Nataly Kelly and Jost Zetzsche. X: @lexiconvalley Facebook: facebook.com/LexiconValley Website: booksmartstudios.com/LexiconValley
Death to Potatoes
On the all-important role that language translation — and mistranslation — plays in our lives, with Nataly Kelly and Jost Zetzsche. X: @lexiconvalley Facebook: facebook.com/LexiconValley Website: booksmartstudios.com/LexiconValley Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Here's to You Mrs. Malaprop
What misspeaking might reveal about the way our mental dictionary is organized. X: @lexiconvalley Facebook: facebook.com/LexiconValley Website: booksmartstudios.com/LexiconValley
Here's to You Mrs. Malaprop
What misspeaking might reveal about the way our mental dictionary is organized. X: @lexiconvalley Facebook: facebook.com/LexiconValley Website: booksmartstudios.com/LexiconValley Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
The Rate of Exchange
On the widespread belief that other languages are spoken more rapidly than your own. X: @lexiconvalley Facebook: facebook.com/LexiconValley Website: booksmartstudios.com/LexiconValley
The Rate of Exchange
On the widespread belief that other languages are spoken more rapidly than your own. X: @lexiconvalley Facebook: facebook.com/LexiconValley Website: booksmartstudios.com/LexiconValley Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Ascent of the A-Word
Linguist Geoffrey Nunberg on his book Ascent of the A-Word: A**holism, the First Sixty Years. X: @lexiconvalley Facebook: facebook.com/LexiconValley Website: booksmartstudios.com/LexiconValley
Ascent of the A-Word
Linguist Geoffrey Nunberg on his book Ascent of the A-Word: A**holism, the First Sixty Years. X: @lexiconvalley Facebook: facebook.com/LexiconValley Website: booksmartstudios.com/LexiconValley Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Our Dying Words
Should we care when a language dies? X: @lexiconvalley Facebook: facebook.com/LexiconValley Website: booksmartstudios.com/LexiconValley
Our Dying Words
Should we care when a language dies? X: @lexiconvalley Facebook: facebook.com/LexiconValley Website: booksmartstudios.com/LexiconValley Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Then Is Now, Now and Then
The narrative mastery of Seinfeld's Kramer: talking about the past in the present tense. X: @lexiconvalley Facebook: facebook.com/LexiconValley Website: booksmartstudios.com/LexiconValley
Then Is Now, Now and Then
The narrative mastery of Seinfeld's Kramer: talking about the past in the present tense. X: @lexiconvalley Facebook: facebook.com/LexiconValley Website: booksmartstudios.com/LexiconValley Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
By Their Words You Shall Know Them
How we know L. Frank Baum didn't write the 15th Oz book — the surprising way mathematicians can determine authorship. X: @lexiconvalley Facebook: facebook.com/LexiconValley Website: booksmartstudios.com/LexiconValley
By Their Words You Shall Know Them
How we know L. Frank Baum didn't write the 15th Oz book — the surprising way mathematicians can determine authorship. X: @lexiconvalley Facebook: facebook.com/LexiconValley Website: booksmartstudios.com/LexiconValley Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Capturing the Past
“Lord Grantham, Don Draper’s on Hold”: The algorithm that finds anachronisms in Downton Abbey, Mad Men and Edith Wharton. X: @lexiconvalley Facebook: facebook.com/LexiconValley Website: booksmartstudios.com/LexiconValley
Capturing the Past
“Lord Grantham, Don Draper’s on Hold”: The algorithm that finds anachronisms in Downton Abbey, Mad Men and Edith Wharton. X: @lexiconvalley Facebook: facebook.com/LexiconValley Website: booksmartstudios.com/LexiconValley Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
The Eloquence of Plain English
Was Honest Abe a Poet? How Lincoln’s speaking style evolved from overly ornate to the brilliant simplicity of Gettysburg. X: @lexiconvalley Facebook: facebook.com/LexiconValley Website: booksmartstudios.com/LexiconValley
The Eloquence of Plain English
Was Honest Abe a Poet? How Lincoln’s speaking style evolved from overly ornate to the brilliant simplicity of Gettysburg. X: @lexiconvalley Facebook: facebook.com/LexiconValley Website: booksmartstudios.com/LexiconValley Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
When Being Done Replaced Doing
As a language evolves, words, phrases and even whole tenses fall in and out of fashion. And then, every once in a while, a whole new way of expressing a particular thought will emerge seemingly out of nowhere and eventually win the day. That’s what happened over the course of the 19th century with the “progressive passive,” which took on a construction known as the “passival” and muscled it completely out of the English language. Mike Vuolo and Bob Garfield discuss what’s arguably the biggest change in our language since Shakespeare. Twitter: @lexiconvalley Facebook: facebook.com/LexiconValley Website: booksmartstudios.com/LexiconValley Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
When Being Done Replaced Doing
As a language evolves, words, phrases and even whole tenses fall in and out of fashion. And then, every once in a while, a whole new way of expressing a particular thought will emerge seemingly out of nowhere and eventually win the day. That’s what happened over the course of the 19th century with the “progressive passive,” which took on a construction known as the “passival” and muscled it completely out of the English language. Mike Vuolo and Bob Garfield discuss what’s arguably the biggest change in our language since Shakespeare. Twitter: @lexiconvalley Facebook: facebook.com/LexiconValley Website: booksmartstudios.com/LexiconValley
One Giant Leap for Humanity
In the third and final installment of the Lexicon Valley series about language and gender, Mike Vuolo and Bob Garfield discuss the ongoing quest for a single, more equitable alternative to “he” and “she.” Since at least the 1850s, English speakers have made many unsuccessful attempts to introduce an epicene pronoun into the language. But University of Michigan professor Anne Curzan argues that we don’t need such a word, since we already have a perfectly acceptable, if controversial, alternative — they. Don’t like that solution? Maybe she’ll convince you. Twitter: @lexiconvalley Facebook: facebook.com/LexiconValley Website: booksmartstudios.com/LexiconValley
One Giant Leap for Humanity
In the third and final installment of the Lexicon Valley series about language and gender, Mike Vuolo and Bob Garfield discuss the ongoing quest for a single, more equitable alternative to “he” and “she.” Since at least the 1850s, English speakers have made many unsuccessful attempts to introduce an epicene pronoun into the language. But University of Michigan professor Anne Curzan argues that we don’t need such a word, since we already have a perfectly acceptable, if controversial, alternative — they. Don’t like that solution? Maybe she’ll convince you. Twitter: @lexiconvalley Facebook: facebook.com/LexiconValley Website: booksmartstudios.com/LexiconValley Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
And May He Be a Masculine Bridge
Does talking about an object as masculine or feminine somehow cause us to think of it that way? In the second part of a Lexicon Valley series about language and gender, Mike Vuolo and Bob Garfield discuss the fascinating research by Stanford psychologist Lera Boroditsky involving grammar and perception. They also wonder what may have happened to grammatical gender in English — that’s right, once upon a time we had grammatical gender, too. But then we lost it. Twitter: @lexiconvalley Facebook: facebook.com/LexiconValley Website: booksmartstudios.com/LexiconValley
And May He Be a Masculine Bridge
Does talking about an object as masculine or feminine somehow cause us to think of it that way? In the second part of a Lexicon Valley series about language and gender, Mike Vuolo and Bob Garfield discuss the fascinating research by Stanford psychologist Lera Boroditsky involving grammar and perception. They also wonder what may have happened to grammatical gender in English — that’s right, once upon a time we had grammatical gender, too. But then we lost it. Twitter: @lexiconvalley Facebook: facebook.com/LexiconValley Website: booksmartstudios.com/LexiconValley Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
When Nouns Grew Genitals
Languages all across the world have what’s called grammatical gender, which means simply that nouns get divided up into different categories or “classes.” Sometimes those categories are called masculine and feminine, like in Spanish, although for other languages the categories have nothing at all to do with natural gender or biological sex. In the first of a three-part Lexicon Valley series, Mike Vuolo and Bob Garfield explore what it means for language to have gender and how it affects the way we think about the world. Twitter: @lexiconvalley Facebook: facebook.com/LexiconValley Website: booksmartstudios.com/LexiconValley
When Nouns Grew Genitals
Languages all across the world have what’s called grammatical gender, which means simply that nouns get divided up into different categories or “classes.” Sometimes those categories are called masculine and feminine, like in Spanish, although for other languages the categories have nothing at all to do with natural gender or biological sex. In the first of a three-part Lexicon Valley series, Mike Vuolo and Bob Garfield explore what it means for language to have gender and how it affects the way we think about the world. Twitter: @lexiconvalley Facebook: facebook.com/LexiconValley Website: booksmartstudios.com/LexiconValley Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
A Needle Pulling Thread
Have you noticed the seemingly stratospheric rise of the word “so” in recent years? People use it not only as a conjunction or an intensifying adverb — as in “That’s so awesome!” — but also to begin or end sentences in a manner pregnant with implied meaning. So… Mike Vuolo and Bob Garfield set out to determine what exactly this sort of “so” might in fact be accomplishing. Twitter: @lexiconvalley Facebook: facebook.com/LexiconValley Website: booksmartstudios.com/LexiconValley
A Needle Pulling Thread
Have you noticed the seemingly stratospheric rise of the word “so” in recent years? People use it not only as a conjunction or an intensifying adverb — as in “That’s so awesome!” — but also to begin or end sentences in a manner pregnant with implied meaning. So… Mike Vuolo and Bob Garfield set out to determine what exactly this sort of “so” might in fact be accomplishing. Twitter: @lexiconvalley Facebook: facebook.com/LexiconValley Website: booksmartstudios.com/LexiconValley Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
A Meditation on Scrabble
Does Scrabble in fact celebrate language? Or does it merely reduce English to a set of mathematical symbols and probability calculations? Mike Vuolo talks to Word Freak author and competitive Scrabble player Stefan Fatsis about how a math game disguised as a word game nevertheless unlocks the essential beauty of the English language. Twitter: @lexiconvalley Facebook: facebook.com/LexiconValley Website: booksmartstudios.com/LexiconValley
A Meditation on Scrabble
Does Scrabble in fact celebrate language? Or does it merely reduce English to a set of mathematical symbols and probability calculations? Mike Vuolo talks to Word Freak author and competitive Scrabble player Stefan Fatsis about how a math game disguised as a word game nevertheless unlocks the essential beauty of the English language. Twitter: @lexiconvalley Facebook: facebook.com/LexiconValley Website: booksmartstudios.com/LexiconValley Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Untuning the String
In the early 1960s, amid a nuclear arms race with the Soviet Union, a burgeoning civil rights movement here at home, and a dawning countercultural revolution, America’s intellectual class was in an utter freakout over a dictionary. That’s right, the 1961 publication of Webster’s Third Edition incited otherwise sober-minded newspaper and magazine writers to declare nothing less than the end of the world. Mike Vuolo and Bob Garfield talk to author David Skinner about his book, The Story of Ain’t: America, Its Language, and the Most Controversial Dictionary Ever Published. Twitter: @lexiconvalley Facebook: facebook.com/LexiconValley Website: booksmartstudios.com/LexiconValley
Untuning the String
In the early 1960s, amid a nuclear arms race with the Soviet Union, a burgeoning civil rights movement here at home, and a dawning countercultural revolution, America’s intellectual class was in an utter freakout over a dictionary. That’s right, the 1961 publication of Webster’s Third Edition incited otherwise sober-minded newspaper and magazine writers to declare nothing less than the end of the world. Mike Vuolo and Bob Garfield talk to author David Skinner about his book, The Story of Ain’t: America, Its Language, and the Most Controversial Dictionary Ever Published. X: @lexiconvalley Facebook: facebook.com/LexiconValley Website: booksmartstudios.com/LexiconValley Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Jumpin' Salty in The O
Kathryn Stockett’s dialogue-heavy The Help, a novel that was adapted into an Oscar-winning movie, caused a stir over whether a white writer should depict African-American English. But wait, what is African-American English exactly? And isn’t it called Ebonics? Mike Vuolo and Bob Garfield sift through the history, misconceptions and reality of a vernacular wrapped in a dialect inside a language. Twitter: @lexiconvalley Facebook: facebook.com/LexiconValley Website: booksmartstudios.com/LexiconValley
Jumpin' Salty in The O
Kathryn Stockett’s dialogue-heavy The Help, a novel that was adapted into an Oscar-winning movie, caused a stir over whether a white writer should depict African-American English. But wait, what is African-American English exactly? And isn’t it called Ebonics? Mike Vuolo and Bob Garfield sift through the history, misconceptions and reality of a vernacular wrapped in a dialect inside a language. X: @lexiconvalley Facebook: facebook.com/LexiconValley Website: booksmartstudios.com/LexiconValley Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Consider the Lamppost
Do you flinch when someone says “between you and I”? Textbook English tells us that it’s categorically ungrammatical, and yet it’s arguably more common than the officially sanctioned “between you and me.” Tennessee Williams, Mark Twain, William Shakespeare — all were guilty of using “I” when the sentence cried out for “me.” Or maybe they weren’t so guilty after all. Mike Vuolo and Bob Garfield discuss the oft-uttered, much-maligned “between you and I.” Twitter: @lexiconvalley Facebook: facebook.com/LexiconValley Website: booksmartstudios.com/LexiconValley
Consider the Lamppost
Do you flinch when someone says “between you and I”? Textbook English tells us that it’s categorically ungrammatical, and yet it’s arguably more common than the officially sanctioned “between you and me.” Tennessee Williams, Mark Twain, William Shakespeare — all were guilty of using “I” when the sentence cried out for “me.” Or maybe they weren’t so guilty after all. Mike Vuolo and Bob Garfield discuss the oft-uttered, much-maligned “between you and I.” X: @lexiconvalley Facebook: facebook.com/LexiconValley Website: booksmartstudios.com/LexiconValley Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
A Bundle of Faggots
On the history and future of the other F-word. X: @lexiconvalley Facebook: facebook.com/LexiconValley Website: booksmartstudios.com/LexiconValley
A Bundle of Faggots
On the history and future of the other F-word. X: @lexiconvalley Facebook: facebook.com/LexiconValley Website: booksmartstudios.com/LexiconValley Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
A Sin of Which None Is Guilty
We all learned that you’re not supposed to end a sentence with a preposition. But from where did this alleged rule come? And why does it encumber us with such labored sentences as the one preceding this? Mike Vuolo and Bob Garfield explore the history of the terminal preposition rule, and whether there are good reasons to follow it. Twitter: @lexiconvalley Facebook: facebook.com/LexiconValley Website: booksmartstudios.com/LexiconValley
A Sin of Which None Is Guilty
We all learned that you’re not supposed to end a sentence with a preposition. But from where did this alleged rule come? And why does it encumber us with such labored sentences as the one preceding this? Mike Vuolo and Bob Garfield explore the history of the terminal preposition rule, and whether there are good reasons to follow it. X: @lexiconvalley Facebook: facebook.com/LexiconValley Website: booksmartstudios.com/LexiconValley Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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