Lexicon Valley from Booksmart Studios Lexicon Valley

What does the bat in “acrobat” have to do with the word come? John explains.


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Reflexive pronouns are redundant in a way, sure, but they’re also quite common in many languages. John explains.


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There’s good reason to believe that sophisticated speech began long before homo sapiens hit the scene. John explains.


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Does Ayesha Rascoe have a good radio voice? Not according to many NPR listeners, who find her loud, high-pitched and generally grating. John explains.


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A recent study suggests that a new dialect is emerging in the southern part of Florida. John explains.


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The trial transcript of a 225-year-old murder is filled with fascinating evidence of the way we used to talk. John explains.


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