Ridiculous History What makes a word a 'word'?
Jan 15, 2026
What qualifies as a 'real' word? This discussion dives into the fascinating evolution of language and how new words are born. The hosts explore the rigorous criteria set by dictionaries and the significance of phonemes. Historical censorship of language highlights the political implications of literacy. They reveal the triple five rule for dictionary inclusion, along with the quirky words that have come and gone. Recent 'words of the year' reflect cultural trends, and fun trivia underscores the intriguing quirks of language.
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Language As A Living Technology
- Language is a human technology that evolved by tinkering and shared conventions.
- Words become meaningful when enough people use and agree on them.
Use And Remix Drive Word Adoption
- New words spread by usefulness and repeated social use rather than top-down decree.
- Etymology traces how speakers remix pronunciation, spelling, and meaning across time.
Toronto Teen Slang Example
- Noel describes hearing Toronto teens' slang blending Jamaican, Arabic, and local terms.
- He highlights words like mandem, wallahi, and ting as examples of cross-cultural remixing.
