Lexicon Valley from Booksmart Studios

Can You Play “Jew” in Scrabble?

11.02.2021 - By Lexicon ValleyPlay

Download our free app to listen on your phone

Download on the App StoreGet it on Google Play

Scrabble and other similar games have been the subject of an ongoing lexicographic debate in recent years, with some arguing that ethnic slurs have no place in the official dictionary or on the board. Many tournament players, however, decry the banning of words — the game, they say, is merely descriptivist.

This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit lexiconvalley.substack.com/subscribe

More episodes from Lexicon Valley from Booksmart Studios