Culture Gabfest We Found Our Archives: The Abstract Noun Edition
Dec 24, 2025
Uncovering a 2013 treasure, the hosts dive into the intricacies of language, exploring vocabulary, conversation, and voice. They humorously dissect overused words and their linguistic pet peeves, while revealing what makes a compelling conversation. Anecdotes versus listening skills take center stage as they discuss enhancing mundane small talk. An intriguing debate on defining an artist's voice hints at the thin line between uniqueness and self-parody. As a bonus, they share delightful recommendations, including a mind-bending puzzle that challenges your intuition.
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Why Fancy Words Stick Out
- Stephen Metcalf says listeners often resent unfamiliar words because they feel linguistically ranked against.
- He compares conspicuous words to "burnt raisins" that stick out from prose and break cohesion.
Help Writers Sound Like Themselves
- Julia Turner advises editors to help writers sound more like themselves rather than imposing a house style.
- She warns against journalismese faves like "eschew" and cuts them when they feel false.
Conversation As An Emergent Third Thing
- Conversation creates a third emergent thing beyond individual speakers: an unpredictable flow you can overhear yourself making.
- The surprise of ending somewhere different than you started is a core pleasure of dialogue.