Lexicon Valley

Derek Guy, a writer and commentator renowned for his insights on men's fashion, dives deep into the intriguing language of clothing. He explains the distinctions between coats and overcoats, emphasizing the ideal features of a coat. Derek traces the origins of the sport coat and details how fashion choices signify social status, including the unique role of elbow patches. He also highlights the evolution of styles like parkas and puffers, linking them to cultural movements. It's a fascinating look at how our attire communicates who we are.

A surprising AI-generated article misattributed views to John McWhorter, sparking a need for clarification. He delves into the complexities of the Ukrainian language, explaining its unique genders, case endings, and challenging verbs of motion. McWhorter warns against oversimplifying this rich language. He also discusses the dangers of equating linguistic complexity with cognitive superiority and critiques the tendency to rank languages by grammar. Personal anecdotes round out the conversation, reinforcing the nuances of language and thought.

Raise a glass to browned bread ... now you're toast! X: @lexiconvalleyFacebook: facebook.com/LexiconValleyWebsite: booksmartstudios.com/LexiconValley Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Oxford English Dictionary editor Fiona McPherson talks to Mike Vuolo about the terms that caught her attention in 2025. X: @lexiconvalleyFacebook: facebook.com/LexiconValleyWebsite: booksmartstudios.com/LexiconValley Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Author John Koenig talks about inventing words for those subtle emotions that hitherto had no name. X: @lexiconvalleyFacebook: facebook.com/LexiconValleyWebsite: booksmartstudios.com/LexiconValley Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mike Vuolo and Bob Garfield join Mike Pesca of The Gist to talk about the long, strange journey of 6 7, from rapper Skrilla to the basketball court, from the classroom to the Word of the Year. X: @lexiconvalleyFacebook: facebook.com/LexiconValleyWebsite: booksmartstudios.com/LexiconValley Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dive into the world of gobbledygook as the hosts uncover its quirky origins and baffling implications. They hilariously compare political ramblings to word salad and explore etymological twists, like the transformation of 'gob' from mass to mouthful. Historical highlights include a 1500s Aeneid translation involving Cerberus and the playful onomatopoeia of turkey sounds. Plus, learn about Maury Maverick's fight against convoluted language and his comical take on jargon that deserves a good roast!

Our parents were cringe-inducing but we're just cringe. X: @lexiconvalleyFacebook: facebook.com/LexiconValleyWebsite: booksmartstudios.com/LexiconValleylley Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Hosts explore the phenomenon of linguistic overstatement, diving into why we often greet each other with exaggerated cheer like 'great.' They discuss the rise of words like 'amazing' and 'awesome' from rare to common praise. The history of 'great' reveals its Old English roots and transformation in meaning over centuries. Comparisons of American and British enthusiasm for descriptors highlight cultural influences. The conversation raises thought-provoking questions about the impact of casual overuse on language's expressive power.

John McWhorter, a prominent linguistics professor at Columbia University and former host, dives into the dynamics of Black English. He explores the fascinating nuances of understatement and hyperbole, shedding light on the phrase 'it's been a minute' and its cultural significance in the Black community. The conversation also delves into 'the dozens', a playful competition steeped in humor and history. With insights from pop culture, McWhorter emphasizes the importance of understanding the roots of African American English in today’s language landscape.