The Late Show Pod Show with Stephen Colbert Linguist John McWhorter
May 3, 2025
John McWhorter, a Columbia University linguistics professor and bestselling author, dives into the quirky world of the English language. He discusses why beloved Southern words, like 'y'all,' are so important and considers their role in politeness. McWhorter also explores the evolution of pronouns, noting the historical richness of non-binary options and the permanent rise of singular 'they.' He humorously critiques the often arbitrary rules of English, emphasizing the playful nature of language and advocating for flexibility in its use.
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Modern Agreement Expressions
- Modern language includes many novel ways, like 'fire' or 'period,' to express agreement among younger speakers.
- These expressions add warmth and fun that did not exist 50 years ago.
English Language Irregularities
- English contains many irregular and confusing word pairs like flammable/inflammable and unravel/ravel.
- Language evolves messily, reflecting its organic and imperfect nature.
Germanic Influence on English Idioms
- The phrase 'You want to come with?' is a Germanic or Yiddish influenced Midwestern English idiom.
- Such peculiarities act like linguistic calling cards from other tongues.
