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What the way we pronounce Iran says about us. Odorous or malodorous? When smell words stink.
Episode 1174
1174. This week, we look at why we pronounce "Iran" and "Iraq" differently and what those pronunciations reveal about our political beliefs. Then, we…
4 months, 1 week ago
The 3,000 hidden colors of the dictionary, with Kory Stamper
Episode 1173
1173. This week, we talk to former Merriam-Webster editor Kory Stamper to discuss her new book, "True Color." We look at the obsessive, "dictionary-e…
4 months, 2 weeks ago
Denim: Secret place names hiding in plain sight. Why the principal is more than your pal.
Episode 1172
1172. This week, we look at "toponyms" — words named after places — and you'll discover the hidden place names in denim, jeans, sherry, cantaloupe, a…
4 months, 2 weeks ago
The crossword puzzle's role in World War II and the fight against Nazism.
Episode 1171
1171. In the bonus segment that aired for Grammarpaloozians in November, we look at the early history of crossword puzzles and their surprising polit…
4 months, 3 weeks ago
Feghoots: Groan-worthy story puns. How your brain stores words.
Episode 1170
1170. This week, we look at "feghoots," the pun-based stories popularized by writers like Isaac Asimov, and why they are designed to make you roll yo…
4 months, 3 weeks ago
The ‘Tale of Two Dictionaries,’ with Peter Sokolowski
Episode 1169
1169. In this bonus segment, originally released in November, we look at Peter Sokolowski's "Tale of Two Dictionaries," tracing the word "dictionary"…
5 months ago
Why leprechauns are shoemakers. The March equinox versus the vernal equinox.
Episode 1168
1168. This week, we look at the word "leprechaun" and its surprisingly wild origin story involving shoemaking, ancient Rome, and wolf-men. Then we lo…
5 months ago
'Mini' and 'factoid' don't mean what you think, with Jess Zafarris
Episode 1167
1167. In this bonus segment that originally ran for Grammarpaloozians last October, we look at the surprising true origins of words that often fool p…
5 months, 1 week ago
Is the Academy Awards singular or plural? Writing about time.
Episode 1166
1166. This week, we look the grammar of the Academy Awards and how to avoid an "illogical plot twist" in your sentences. Then, we look at common time…
5 months, 1 week ago
Mapping the American Tongue: The Dictionary of American Regional English (DARE), with Joan Houston Hall
Episode 1165
1165. Today, we talk with Joan Houston Hall to look at the monumental task of documenting how Americans speak. We look at the Dictionary of American …
5 months, 2 weeks ago