On The Gist, what's all this a'boot the shifting Canadian accent? We speak with sociolinguist Paul De Decker. Plus, Douglas Birch from the Center for Public Integrity explains why South Africa still has highly enriched uranium. For the Spiel, should Biden's unscripted moments inspire confidence or concern? Get your tickets for The Gist's live show in Brooklyn on 9/29 by visiting slate.com/nycgist. Today's sponsors: Harry's, the shaving company that offers German-engineered blades, well-designed handles, and shipping right to your door. Visit Harrys.com for $5 off your first purchase with the promo code GIST. And Trunk Club. Answer a few simple questions about your look, style, and size, and receive a trunk full of great looking clothes that fit perfectly and make you look amazing. Only pay for the clothes you keep, and shipping is free. Go to TrunkClub.com/GIST. Join Slate Plus! Members get bonus segments, exclusive member-only podcasts, and more. Sign up for a free trial today at slate.com/gistplus.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices