Giving You the Business
It may seem apparent how we got from busyness to business, but the origins of the word “busy” itself are shrouded in mystery. Visit Lexicon Valley. A Booksmart Studios production. Episode...
15 Okt 202428min
When Is Code-Switching Inappropriate?
As a daily listener to WNYC Public Radio in New York City, John has noticed that a certain announcer frequently mispronounces words on air. He has thoughts. Visit Lexicon Valley. A Booksm...
9 Sep 202429min
The World's Largest Family
Working backwards from existing languages, linguists have had great success reconstructing Proto-Indo-European. Does that mean we can do the same for all language families? Visit Lexicon Vall...
1 Aug 202421min
English Is Practically Naked
A cyclone came through and blew off most of English’s clothes, says John, in Part II of his discussion of Indo-European. Visit Lexicon Valley. A Booksmart Studios production. Episode ...
12 Jul 202424min
Family Ties
There are at least five defining features among hundreds of related languages from English to Hindi to Russian. And what does any of that have to do with the Hittites? Visit Lexicon Valley...
10 Jun 202430min
Going Deep
The simple verb 'to go' quickly gets complex in just about any language and English is no exception. Visit Lexicon Valley. A Booksmart Studios production. Episode 267: "Going De...
30 Apr 202436min
Come Under Scrutiny
What does the '-bat' in 'acrobat' have to do with the word 'come'? Visit Lexicon Valley. A Booksmart Studios production. Episode 266: "Come Under Scrutiny." With John McWhor...
18 Mar 202428min
Have Your Own Damn Self a Merry Little Christmas
Reflexive pronouns are redundant in a way, sure, but they’re also quite common in many languages. Visit Lexicon Valley. A Booksmart Studios production. Episode 265: "Have ...
30 Des 202331min
