Lexicon Valley
Episodes
Why Do Some Americans Say Warshed?
14 May 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Why do people often pronounce an R sound where it doesn't belong? X: @lexiconvalleyFacebook: facebook.com/LexiconValleyWebsite: booksmartstudios.com/...
Flores Man vs. Sulawesi
30 Apr 2019
Contributed by Lukas
A linguistic mystery on an island archipeligo of Indonesia. X: @lexiconvalleyFacebook: facebook.com/LexiconValleyWebsite: booksmartstudios.com/Lexico...
Flores Man vs. Sulawesi
29 Apr 2019
Contributed by Lukas
A linguistic mystery in the Lesser Sunda Islands. Twitter: @lexiconvalley Facebook: facebook.com/LexiconValley Website: booksmartstudios.com/Lex...
The Lingua Francas
16 Apr 2019
Contributed by Lukas
You could speak fluently with half the world's population if you knew these 20 or so languages. X: @lexiconvalleyFacebook: facebook.com/LexiconValley...
The Lingua Francas
16 Apr 2019
Contributed by Lukas
A conversation with Gaston Dorren, author of Babel: Around the World in Twenty Languages. Twitter: @lexiconvalley Facebook: facebook.com/LexiconV...
Can Climate Influence Language?
02 Apr 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Tonal languages evolved mostly in hot and humid places. What would explain that? Twitter: @lexiconvalley Facebook: facebook.com/LexiconValley We...
Can Climate Influence Language?
02 Apr 2019
Contributed by Lukas
As many as half the world's languages are tonal, but a tiny fraction are spoken in arid climates. X: @lexiconvalleyFacebook: facebook.com/LexiconVall...
When Ain't Was All Right
19 Mar 2019
Contributed by Lukas
What we can learn about English from am, the seemingly simplest verb. Twitter: @lexiconvalley Facebook: facebook.com/LexiconValley Website: book...
When Ain’t Was All Right
19 Mar 2019
Contributed by Lukas
On the the first person singular of to be. X: @lexiconvalleyFacebook: facebook.com/LexiconValleyWebsite: booksmartstudios.com/LexiconValley Learn mor...
The Semitic Tongues
05 Mar 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Where did Arabic, Hebrew, Amharic and their kin originate? And what is a triconsonantal root? Twitter: @lexiconvalley Facebook: facebook.com/Lexi...
The Semitic Tongues
05 Mar 2019
Contributed by Lukas
On the triconsonantal roots of Semitic languages. X: @lexiconvalleyFacebook: facebook.com/LexiconValleyWebsite: booksmartstudios.com/LexiconValley Le...
Precious Little
19 Feb 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Johnny loves his blankie — why do we tack a long e sound onto words to form diminutives? X: @lexiconvalleyFacebook: facebook.com/LexiconValleyWebsi...
Precious Little
19 Feb 2019
Contributed by Lukas
How an old word for child morphed into a versatile, and very modern, suffix. Twitter: @lexiconvalley Facebook: facebook.com/LexiconValley Email:...
When Words Collide
06 Feb 2019
Contributed by Lukas
On the creation of new English vocabulary. X: @lexiconvalleyFacebook: facebook.com/LexiconValleyWebsite: booksmartstudios.com/LexiconValley Learn mor...
When Words Collide
06 Feb 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Some more of the many ways that neologisms form. Twitter: @lexiconvalley Facebook: facebook.com/LexiconValley Website: booksmartstudios.com/Lexi...
Truth Be Told
22 Jan 2019
Contributed by Lukas
An actually very literal discussion of true words. Really! Twitter: @lexiconvalley Facebook: facebook.com/LexiconValley Email: lexiconvalley@sla...
Truth Be Told
22 Jan 2019
Contributed by Lukas
An actually very literal discussion of true words. Really! X: @lexiconvalleyFacebook: facebook.com/LexiconValleyWebsite: booksmartstudios.com/Lexicon...
A Penetrating History of F*%k
08 Jan 2019
Contributed by Lukas
English speakers have been toying with the F-word for centuries. Twitter: @lexiconvalley Facebook: facebook.com/LexiconValley Website: booksmart...
A Penetrating History of F*%k
08 Jan 2019
Contributed by Lukas
On our longtime obsession with the F-word. X: @lexiconvalleyFacebook: facebook.com/LexiconValleyWebsite: booksmartstudios.com/LexiconValley Learn mor...
When Did English Get Happy?
26 Dec 2018
Contributed by Lukas
Where does happiness come from? X: @lexiconvalleyFacebook: facebook.com/LexiconValleyWebsite: booksmartstudios.com/LexiconValley Learn more about you...
When Did English Get Happy?
25 Dec 2018
Contributed by Lukas
A New Year's meditation on a joyful word. Twitter: @lexiconvalley Facebook: facebook.com/LexiconValley Website: booksmartstudios.com/LexiconVall...
Why Language Can't Be Tamed
11 Dec 2018
Contributed by Lukas
A conversation with Lane Greene, author of Talk on the Wild Side, about the "vague and anarchic" nature of language. Twitter: @lexiconvalley Face...
Why Language Can’t Be Tamed
11 Dec 2018
Contributed by Lukas
A conversation with Lane Greene, author of Talk on the Wild Side. X: @lexiconvalleyFacebook: facebook.com/LexiconValleyWebsite: booksmartstudios.com/...
Is Social Media Changing English?
27 Nov 2018
Contributed by Lukas
Our speech is becoming more childlike, but not for the reasons you think. Twitter: @lexiconvalley Facebook: facebook.com/LexiconValley Website: ...
Is Social Media Changing English?
27 Nov 2018
Contributed by Lukas
Many think that online culture is eroding our language skills. Is it true? X: @lexiconvalleyFacebook: facebook.com/LexiconValleyWebsite: booksmartstu...
What Was the First Language?
13 Nov 2018
Contributed by Lukas
How far back can we trace, with any accuracy, the spoken word? Twitter: @lexiconvalley Facebook: facebook.com/LexiconValley Website: booksmartst...
What Was the First Language?
13 Nov 2018
Contributed by Lukas
Can we know anything about languages spoken at the dawn of human speech? X: @lexiconvalleyFacebook: facebook.com/LexiconValleyWebsite: booksmartstudi...
So... Let's Talk About So
30 Oct 2018
Contributed by Lukas
How long have we been starting our sentences with "so"? Twitter: @lexiconvalley Facebook: facebook.com/LexiconValley Website: booksmartstudios.c...
So … Let’s Talk About So
30 Oct 2018
Contributed by Lukas
Leading with so is often shorthand for I'm about to do some explaining. X: @lexiconvalleyFacebook: facebook.com/LexiconValleyWebsite: booksmartstudio...
Like-Minded
16 Oct 2018
Contributed by Lukas
John McWhorter discusses the evolution of the word like. Twitter: @lexiconvalley Facebook: facebook.com/LexiconValley Website: booksmartstudios.c...
Like-Minded
16 Oct 2018
Contributed by Lukas
There's lots to like about like. X: @lexiconvalleyFacebook: facebook.com/LexiconValleyWebsite: booksmartstudios.com/LexiconValley Learn more about yo...
Why Do Southerners Talk Like That?
02 Oct 2018
Contributed by Lukas
John McWhorter dissects the many distinct features that make up Southern speech. Twitter: @lexiconvalley Facebook: facebook.com/LexiconValley We...
Why Do Southerners Talk Like That?
02 Oct 2018
Contributed by Lukas
A Southern accent is easier to explain than to emulate. X: @lexiconvalleyFacebook: facebook.com/LexiconValleyWebsite: booksmartstudios.com/LexiconVal...
The Habitual Past
18 Sep 2018
Contributed by Lukas
Did you "used to" do something but don't any longer? Where does that expression come from?! Twitter: @lexiconvalley Facebook: facebook.com/Lexico...
The Habitual Past
18 Sep 2018
Contributed by Lukas
You regularly did something but don't any longer. In other words, you used to do it — what an odd expression. X: @lexiconvalleyFacebook: facebook.c...
A Riot of Color
04 Sep 2018
Contributed by Lukas
Our word for "red" predates our word for "blue"—and that's true for almost every language! Twitter: @lexiconvalley Facebook: facebook.com/Lexic...
A Riot of Color
04 Sep 2018
Contributed by Lukas
Languages tend to get their color words in a certain order. X: @lexiconvalleyFacebook: facebook.com/LexiconValleyWebsite: booksmartstudios.com/Lexic...
The Rise of They
21 Aug 2018
Contributed by Lukas
The singular they is here to stay and that's a good thing. X: @lexiconvalleyFacebook: facebook.com/LexiconValleyWebsite: booksmartstudios.com/Lexicon...
Wabbit Twacks
06 Aug 2018
Contributed by Lukas
John McWhorter applies linguistic analysis to Looney Tunes. Twitter: @lexiconvalley Facebook: facebook.com/LexiconValley Website: booksmartstudi...
Wabbit Twacks
06 Aug 2018
Contributed by Lukas
Learning about language from Elmer Fudd and Bugs Bunny. X: @lexiconvalleyFacebook: facebook.com/LexiconValleyWebsite: booksmartstudios.com/LexiconVal...
Tee Time
24 Jul 2018
Contributed by Lukas
John McWhorter on what the French Canadian version of The Flintstones can teach us about the letter T. Twitter: @lexiconvalley Facebook: facebook...
Tee Time
24 Jul 2018
Contributed by Lukas
It's yabba dabba doo time to talk about the letter T. X: @lexiconvalleyFacebook: facebook.com/LexiconValleyWebsite: booksmartstudios.com/LexiconValle...
Happy Birthday, OED!
10 Jul 2018
Contributed by Lukas
John McWhorter raises an etymological glass to the nonagenarian Oxford English Dictionary. Twitter: @lexiconvalley Facebook: facebook.com/Lexicon...
Happy Birthday, OED!
10 Jul 2018
Contributed by Lukas
The first full edition of the OED was published in 1928. X: @lexiconvalleyFacebook: facebook.com/LexiconValleyWebsite: booksmartstudios.com/LexiconVa...
If Frozen, Why Not Squozen?
26 Jun 2018
Contributed by Lukas
John McWhorter on language lessons from this year's Tony nominees for Best Musical. Twitter: @lexiconvalley Facebook: facebook.com/LexiconValley ...
If Frozen, Why Not Squozen?
26 Jun 2018
Contributed by Lukas
Lessons from this year’s Tony nominees for Best Musical. X: @lexiconvalleyFacebook: facebook.com/LexiconValleyWebsite: booksmartstudios.com/Lexicon...
The Pronouning of Profanities
12 Jun 2018
Contributed by Lukas
John McWhorter on the way in which words like f*ck and sh*t are increasingly standing in for it and that. Twitter: @lexiconvalley Facebook: faceb...
The Pronouning of Profanities
12 Jun 2018
Contributed by Lukas
How curse words became ordinary parts of speech. X: @lexiconvalleyFacebook: facebook.com/LexiconValleyWebsite: booksmartstudios.com/LexiconValley Lea...
One Tongue to Rule Them All
29 May 2018
Contributed by Lukas
John McWhorter on the tantalizing prospect of a universal language. Twitter: @lexiconvalley Facebook: facebook.com/LexiconValley Website: booksm...
One Tongue to Rule Them All
29 May 2018
Contributed by Lukas
Many have dreamt of a single common language, but it remains a dream. X: @lexiconvalleyFacebook: facebook.com/LexiconValleyWebsite: booksmartstudios....
The Art of the Spiel
15 May 2018
Contributed by Lukas
A brief history of oratory from the Gilded Age to the Era of Trump. Twitter: @lexiconvalley Facebook: facebook.com/LexiconValley Website: booksm...
The Art of the Spiel
15 May 2018
Contributed by Lukas
Rhetoric from the Gilded Age to the Era of Trump. X: @lexiconvalleyFacebook: facebook.com/LexiconValleyWebsite: booksmartstudios.com/LexiconValley Le...
Getting to Yes
01 May 2018
Contributed by Lukas
Yes! John McWhorter on our compact, workaday affirmative. Twitter: @lexiconvalley Facebook: facebook.com/LexiconValley Website: booksmartstudios...
Getting to Yes
01 May 2018
Contributed by Lukas
Mm-hmm, yep, yeah. X: @lexiconvalleyFacebook: facebook.com/LexiconValleyWebsite: booksmartstudios.com/LexiconValley Learn more about your ad choices....
The Story of P
17 Apr 2018
Contributed by Lukas
John McWhorter on why the 16th letter of our alphabet is a fancy little thing. Twitter: @lexiconvalley Facebook: facebook.com/LexiconValley Webs...
The Story of P
17 Apr 2018
Contributed by Lukas
What queues up after elemeno? X: @lexiconvalleyFacebook: facebook.com/LexiconValleyWebsite: booksmartstudios.com/LexiconValley Learn more about your ...
English Spelling Is a Beautiful Mess
03 Apr 2018
Contributed by Lukas
John McWhorter on why English spelling is so frustratingly idiosyncratic. Twitter: @lexiconvalley Facebook: facebook.com/LexiconValley Website: ...
English Spelling is a Beautiful Mess
03 Apr 2018
Contributed by Lukas
English is chock-full of letters that are not pronounced, which makes spelling a nightmare. X: @lexiconvalleyFacebook: facebook.com/LexiconValleyWebs...
Did the Founding Fathers Have a British Accent?
20 Mar 2018
Contributed by Lukas
John McWhorter on what Washington, Franklin and Hamilton may have sounded like. Twitter: @lexiconvalley Facebook: facebook.com/LexiconValley Web...
Did the Founding Fathers Have a British Accent?
20 Mar 2018
Contributed by Lukas
On the way early Americans may have spoken. X: @lexiconvalleyFacebook: facebook.com/LexiconValleyWebsite: booksmartstudios.com/LexiconValley Learn mo...
No-Uh!
06 Mar 2018
Contributed by Lukas
John McWhorter on the rise of an exclamatory syllable in English. Twitter: @lexiconvalley Facebook: facebook.com/LexiconValley Website: booksmar...
No-Uh!
06 Mar 2018
Contributed by Lukas
What's that extra sound we sometimes say at the end of words? X: @lexiconvalleyFacebook: facebook.com/LexiconValleyWebsite: booksmartstudios.com/Lexi...
The Inner Workings of Out
20 Feb 2018
Contributed by Lukas
John McWhorter on the rich complexities of a humble preposition. Twitter: @lexiconvalley Facebook: facebook.com/LexiconValley Website: booksmart...
The Inner Workings of Out
20 Feb 2018
Contributed by Lukas
There's far more going on with out than you think. X: @lexiconvalleyFacebook: facebook.com/LexiconValleyWebsite: booksmartstudios.com/LexiconValley L...
Words, For Her
06 Feb 2018
Contributed by Lukas
John McWhorter on the origin of woman, girl and other lady terms. Twitter: @lexiconvalley Facebook: facebook.com/LexiconValley Website: booksmar...
Words, For Her
06 Feb 2018
Contributed by Lukas
The etymology of girl and other lady terms. X: @lexiconvalleyFacebook: facebook.com/LexiconValleyWebsite: booksmartstudios.com/LexiconValley Learn mo...
What's the Deal with Eleven?
23 Jan 2018
Contributed by Lukas
John McWhorter on the etymology and pronunciation of English numbers. Twitter: @lexiconvalley Facebook: facebook.com/LexiconValley Website: book...
What's the Deal with Eleven?
23 Jan 2018
Contributed by Lukas
From one to twenty — you can count on it! X: @lexiconvalleyFacebook: facebook.com/LexiconValleyWebsite: booksmartstudios.com/LexiconValley Learn mo...
There Are Two N-Words
09 Jan 2018
Contributed by Lukas
Like gangster and gangsta, nigger and nigga have become two distinct words. Twitter: @lexiconvalley Facebook: facebook.com/LexiconValley Website...
There Are Two N-Words
09 Jan 2018
Contributed by Lukas
One of English's worst epithets has split in two. X: @lexiconvalleyFacebook: facebook.com/LexiconValleyWebsite: booksmartstudios.com/LexiconValley Le...
The Thing Is Is
27 Dec 2017
Contributed by Lukas
Doubling up on the verb is, an explanation. X: @lexiconvalleyFacebook: facebook.com/LexiconValleyWebsite: booksmartstudios.com/LexiconValley Learn mo...
The Thing Is Is
26 Dec 2017
Contributed by Lukas
The problem is, is that we sometimes say is twice. Why? Twitter: @lexiconvalley Facebook: facebook.com/LexiconValley Website: booksmartstudios.c...
An Accidental Sanctity
12 Dec 2017
Contributed by Lukas
Biblical scholar Mark Ward discusses his forthcoming book, Authorized: The Use and Misuse of the King James Bible. Twitter: @lexiconvalley Facebo...
An Accidental Sanctity
12 Dec 2017
Contributed by Lukas
Biblical scholar Mark Ward discusses his forthcoming book, Authorized. X: @lexiconvalleyFacebook: facebook.com/LexiconValleyWebsite: booksmartstudios...
Thanksgiving Misnomers
28 Nov 2017
Contributed by Lukas
Turkey? Pumpkin? Squash? They're all mistakes. Twitter: @lexiconvalley Facebook: facebook.com/LexiconValley Website: booksmartstudios.com/Lexicon...
Thanksgiving Misnomers
28 Nov 2017
Contributed by Lukas
A holiday feast! X: @lexiconvalleyFacebook: facebook.com/LexiconValleyWebsite: booksmartstudios.com/LexiconValley Learn more about your ad choices. V...
Sometimes Just Because
14 Nov 2017
Contributed by Lukas
Language is often at the mercy of pure chance. Twitter: @lexiconvalley Facebook: facebook.com/LexiconValley Website: booksmartstudios.com/Lexico...
Sometimes Just Because
14 Nov 2017
Contributed by Lukas
Much of language is merely a roll of the dice. X: @lexiconvalleyFacebook: facebook.com/LexiconValleyWebsite: booksmartstudios.com/LexiconValley Learn...
Against Strunk & White
31 Oct 2017
Contributed by Lukas
It's time to permanently shelve the Elements of Style. Twitter: @lexiconvalley Facebook: facebook.com/LexiconValley Website: booksmartstudios.co...
Against Strunk and White
31 Oct 2017
Contributed by Lukas
It’s time to permanently shelve The Elements of Style. X: @lexiconvalleyFacebook: facebook.com/LexiconValleyWebsite: booksmartstudios.com/LexiconVa...
Whence Baby Mama?
17 Oct 2017
Contributed by Lukas
John McWhorter answers questions from Lexicon Valley listeners. Twitter: @lexiconvalley Facebook: facebook.com/LexiconValley Website: booksmarts...
Whence Baby Mama?
17 Oct 2017
Contributed by Lukas
Opening the listener mailbox. X: @lexiconvalleyFacebook: facebook.com/LexiconValleyWebsite: booksmartstudios.com/LexiconValley Learn more about your ...
Este No Es Parqueo: A Brief Ode to Spanish
03 Oct 2017
Contributed by Lukas
After parking in front of a garage, John received a note written in Spanish. Twitter: @lexiconvalley Facebook: facebook.com/LexiconValley Websit...
Este No Es Parqueo
03 Oct 2017
Contributed by Lukas
A brief ode to Spanish. X: @lexiconvalleyFacebook: facebook.com/LexiconValleyWebsite: booksmartstudios.com/LexiconValley Learn more about your ad cho...
From Pidgins to Creoles
19 Sep 2017
Contributed by Lukas
John McWhorter discusses the process by which some new languages are born. Twitter: @lexiconvalley Facebook: facebook.com/LexiconValley Website:...
From Pidgins to Creoles
19 Sep 2017
Contributed by Lukas
On the birth of a new language. X: @lexiconvalleyFacebook: facebook.com/LexiconValleyWebsite: booksmartstudios.com/LexiconValley Learn more about you...
Do Languages Simplify Over Time?
05 Sep 2017
Contributed by Lukas
Old English was arguably more complicated than Modern English. Is that true of all languages? Twitter: @lexiconvalley Facebook: facebook.com/Lexi...
Do Languages Simplify Over Time?
05 Sep 2017
Contributed by Lukas
Old English was more complicated in many ways than the English we speak today. X: @lexiconvalleyFacebook: facebook.com/LexiconValleyWebsite: booksma...
Did Cavebabies Say Mama and Papa?
22 Aug 2017
Contributed by Lukas
Languages across the world developed similar words for mom and dad. How is that possible? Twitter: @lexiconvalley Facebook: facebook.com/LexiconV...
Did Cavebabies Say Mama and Papa?
22 Aug 2017
Contributed by Lukas
Cultures across the world have similar words for mom and dad. How is that possible? X: @lexiconvalleyFacebook: facebook.com/LexiconValleyWebsite: boo...
New Life for Dying Languages
08 Aug 2017
Contributed by Lukas
A conversation with Wil Meya of The Language Conservancy. X: @lexiconvalleyFacebook: facebook.com/LexiconValleyWebsite: booksmartstudios.com/LexiconV...
Negatory! A Brief History of No.
25 Jul 2017
Contributed by Lukas
On the history and evolution of no and not. X: @lexiconvalleyFacebook: facebook.com/LexiconValleyWebsite: booksmartstudios.com/LexiconValley Learn mo...
Why Do Languages Have Contractions?
11 Jul 2017
Contributed by Lukas
The economy and informality of contracting speech. X: @lexiconvalleyFacebook: facebook.com/LexiconValleyWebsite: booksmartstudios.com/LexiconValley L...
The Incredible Lightness of Being
27 Jun 2017
Contributed by Lukas
On the enduring unusualness of the verb to be. X: @lexiconvalleyFacebook: facebook.com/LexiconValleyWebsite: booksmartstudios.com/LexiconValley Learn...
Is There a Jewish Way of Talking?
13 Jun 2017
Contributed by Lukas
A high-involvement conversation with the hosts of the Unorthodox podcast. X: @lexiconvalleyFacebook: facebook.com/LexiconValleyWebsite: booksmartstud...
Mining Graffiti for Slang
30 May 2017
Contributed by Lukas
A conversation with lexicographer Ben Zimmer. X: @lexiconvalleyFacebook: facebook.com/LexiconValleyWebsite: booksmartstudios.com/LexiconValley Learn ...
Don't Tell Me Reune Is Not a Word
16 May 2017
Contributed by Lukas
On the near-futile impulse to determine what is, and what is not, a word. X: @lexiconvalleyFacebook: facebook.com/LexiconValleyWebsite: booksmartstud...
The Language of Female Friendships
02 May 2017
Contributed by Lukas
A conversation with linguist Deborah Tannen. X: @lexiconvalleyFacebook: facebook.com/LexiconValleyWebsite: booksmartstudios.com/LexiconValley Learn m...
The Euphemism Treadmill
18 Apr 2017
Contributed by Lukas
Why euphemisms tend not to stick around very long. X: @lexiconvalleyFacebook: facebook.com/LexiconValleyWebsite: booksmartstudios.com/LexiconValley L...
Heyo, Let's Talk About Hamilton
04 Apr 2017
Contributed by Lukas
A conversation with linguist Neal Whitman. X: @lexiconvalleyFacebook: facebook.com/LexiconValleyWebsite: booksmartstudios.com/LexiconValley Learn mor...