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The Evolution of 'Woke'
Listen now | In this special crossover episode, John discusses the problem with "problematic" and tracks the shifting meaning of "cancel culture."
John McWhorter
May 10
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The Evolution of 'Woke'
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Feeling Seen
Some people use "seen" instead of "saw" in speech. So can we do it in print?
John McWhorter
May 7
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Feeling Seen
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BONUS: Bunch, Elder and Goose
Listen now | A brief discussion of some lesser known berries.
John McWhorter
May 3
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BONUS: Bunch, Elder and Goose
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Reviving Dead Languages
Listen now | Bringing a language back to life is damned hard. So why resuscitate?
John McWhorter
Apr 28
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Reviving Dead Languages
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Why Do Brits Put R's Where They Don't Belong?
Also, how did the verb "to be" evolve into such an irregular mess?
John McWhorter
Apr 23
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6
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Why Do Brits Put R's Where They Don't Belong?
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BONUS: English Is Hard Enough Without Antiquated Distinctions
Listen now | Why John isn't backing down on lay-lie equivalency.
John McWhorter
Apr 19
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BONUS: English Is Hard Enough Without Antiquated Distinctions
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Let Sleeping Dogs Lay
Listen now | For his 150th episode, John argues that the distinction between "lie" and "lay" is an archaism we should abandon.
John McWhorter
Apr 12
38
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56
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Let Sleeping Dogs Lay
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How Do Different Languages Handle Being Polite?
Let's find out, shall we?
John McWhorter
Apr 9
7
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3
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How Do Different Languages Handle Being Polite?
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BONUS: How Did Nigeria Gets Its Name?
Hint: It's not how you think.
John McWhorter
Apr 9
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Bonus: How Did Nigeria Get Its Name?
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Welcome to Lexicon Valley!
Luxuriate in the wonder of language.
Apr 8
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Welcome to Lexicon Valley!
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Where Is the Name Ketanji From?
Listen now | Look to the languages of West Africa, which span the continent's long Atlantic coast.
John McWhorter
Mar 29
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4
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Where Is the Name Ketanji From?
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Why Do We Have Rights, But We Don't Have Lefts?
Also, what's up with all the silent P's and G's at the start of English words?
John McWhorter
Mar 26
4
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Why Do We Have Rights, But We Don't Have Lefts?
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