Lexicon Valley

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.

An interview with Richard Tofel about his book Sound the Trumpet: The Making of John F. Kennedy’s Inaugural Address, revealing the startling authorship behind JFK’s most famous words. X: @lexiconvalleyFacebook: facebook.com/LexiconValleyWebsite: booksmartstudios.com/LexiconValley Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Discover how English sounded during the Revolutionary War, shattering the myth of uniform British accents. Explore the flamboyance of General Charles Lee compared to George Washington's practicality. Dive into the evolution of the verb 'do' and its cultural significance, alongside Langston Hughes' poetic expressions. Learn about the shifting perceptions of verb forms and the dynamic nature of English throughout history, all enriched by fascinating historical references that shape our language today.