Because Language - a podcast about linguistics, the science of language.

111: Words of the Week of the Year 2024 (live with Mignon Fogarty and friends)

Dec 21, 2024

Mignon Fogarty, the Grammar Girl and Podcasting Hall of Fame inductee, joins a lively discussion about the words of the year. They explore generational language differences and cultural influences on contemporary terms. From the significance of ‘brat’ to the role of memes, the conversation highlights how language reflects societal trends. Personal anecdotes and playful games reveal the fascinating connections between words and their evolving meanings, all while celebrating patron support and community engagement.

01:42:41

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Episode guests

Mignon Fogarty

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Episode notes

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Quick takeaways

The podcast explores the societal resonance of 'Words of the Year' and the divergence of opinions on their validity and meaning.

Cultural appropriation and generational differences in language use reveal how terms evolve and shift across community contexts and identities.

The discussion showcases the implications of buzzwords like 'brat' and 'manifest,' highlighting their cultural roots and societal responsibilities.

Deep dives

The Nature of Words of the Year

The podcast discusses the concept of 'Words of the Year' and how it attracts various opinions, particularly surrounding multi-word phrases like 'Words of the Year' versus single words. It examines the tension that often exists between linguistic purists and pop culture enthusiasts regarding these evolving expressions. Listeners express mixed feelings about the validity of certain designated words, with some seeing them as fleeting trends rather than enduring terms. The conversation highlights the critical reflection required to evaluate why certain words resonate socially in any given year.

Intro

3min

Exploring True Crime and the Psychology of Fiction

2min

Exploring Fandom and Words of the Year

4min

Exploring the Significance of Words and Patron Appreciation

5min

Language Trends and Cultural Reflections

29min

Word Connections Unraveled

16min

Vibes, Slang, and the Evolution of Language

26min

Nostalgia and AI: Community, Language, and Smell

18min

It's our Words of the Year episode, where we do a vibe check on all the words and name one of them our Because Language Word of the Year. We're joined by Grammar Girl Mignon Fogarty and a lot of friends and supporters. It's going to be weird. It's going to be brat. You know we're going to eat that.

Timestamps

Cold open: 0:00
Intros: 0:54
All the words from everywhere: 10:58
Related or Not: 43:28
Words from Mignon and James: 58:50
Our Words of the Week of the Year: 1:13:23
The Reads: 1:33:40
Outtakes: 1:39:29

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