Terry Gross

which can be very intrusive and time-consuming, because I don't think there's necessarily a pause button on that video that plays in your mind.

How has your memory been most of your life, and how has that figured into your writing?

Because you've taken them out so many times, distorting them in the process?

Early in your career, you were a lexicographer for the Oxford English Dictionary, which is considered the definitive English dictionary.

So I wonder what you think of the language that we use to describe death, even the word death itself.

You even describe how, like, if someone's at a dinner party who has lost a spouse, they're often, they won't use the word death because that's too scary to the other people.

They'll say past.

While we're talking about language, when you were a lexicographer, I think part of your job was deciding what new words or expressions should be entered into the dictionary.

Are there any you can take credit for?

LAUGHTER

Let's go to the dirty words.

I want to know what the criteria are for dirty words.

I like that grope is in there too.

Oh, so it was meant to be literal.

Well, congratulations for getting that into the dictionary.

Julian Barnes, it's been a pleasure to talk with you.

Thank you so much.

And I wish you stable health and long life.

Julian Barnes' new book is called Departures.

After we take a short break, TV critic David Bianculli will review the new series Star Trek Starfleet Academy.