Lexicon Valley from Booksmart Studios

By Lexicon Valley

A podcast about language, with host John McWhorter.

lexiconvalley.substack.com... more

4.8

503503 ratings

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FAQs about Lexicon Valley from Booksmart Studios:

How many episodes does Lexicon Valley from Booksmart Studios have?

The podcast currently has 66 episodes available.

Lexicon Valley from Booksmart Studios episodes:

January 07, 2025 Hither and Yon
Words like thence and thither are all but obsolete in English, but they were actually quite useful! John explains.
SUBSCRIBE to LEXICON VALLEY — please go to www.booksmartstudios.com to become a paid member and receive our BONUS segments.

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit lexiconvalley.substack.com
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26min
November 27, 2024 Down the Rabbit Hole
Do you know the difference between a rabbit and a hare? And what then is a bunny? Follow John through the etymological warrens of these several words.

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit lexiconvalley.substack.com
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23min
October 15, 2024 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. John explains.

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit lexiconvalley.substack.com
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25min
September 09, 2024 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.

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit lexiconvalley.substack.com
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28min
August 01, 2024 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? John explains.

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit lexiconvalley.substack.com
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20min
July 12, 2024 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.

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit lexiconvalley.substack.com
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22min
June 10, 2024 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? John explains.

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit lexiconvalley.substack.com
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28min
April 30, 2024 Going Deep
The simple verb to go quickly gets complex in just about any language and English is no exception. John explains.

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit lexiconvalley.substack.com
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33min
March 18, 2024 Come Under Scrutiny
What does the bat in “acrobat” have to do with the word come? John explains.

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit lexiconvalley.substack.com
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26min
December 30, 2023 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. John explains.

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit lexiconvalley.substack.com
...more
29min

FAQs about Lexicon Valley from Booksmart Studios:

How many episodes does Lexicon Valley from Booksmart Studios have?

The podcast currently has 66 episodes available.

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