
54 episodes

Lexicon Valley from Booksmart Studios Lexicon Valley
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- Society & Culture
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4.9 • 432 Ratings
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A podcast about language, with host John McWhorter.
lexiconvalley.substack.com
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What Is Miami English?
A recent study suggests that a new dialect is emerging in the southern part of Florida. 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 -
Report of the Trial of Levi Weeks
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 -
I Got My Nails Did!
Many English verbs have three forms — sing, sang and sung, for example. The problem is that speakers seem to want only two. 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 -
To v. Too
Too — whether about excess, addition or contradiction — evolved from to. 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 -
Picture of Health
Some languages adopt their “health” word from the concept of wholeness — a metaphor that makes perfect sense. Other languages, however, adopt their “health” word from trees. 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 -
The Right Stuff
Like the French word droit, English’s right has taken on a number of useful metaphorical meanings. 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
Customer Reviews
Loved his books, love this podcast
I have loved John McWhorter’s books and am sad that I have only JUST learned about this podcast…but I relish being able to go back through its archives! Prof. McWhorter makes his subject such a joy to learn about, and his broad breadth of knowledge about so MANY languages gives the listener such a wide base to learn from. Thank you, Professor! Your podcast is a joyful speck in my day.
Update: every episode I’ve listened to so far is great and makes me laugh.
Perspective-enlarging and FUN
Love your voice, John!
Words of Reason, Voice of Sanity
He’s changed me from a petty prescriptivist to someone who appreciates a changing landscape. Not only is his pretty much the only calm voice of reason on what we(‘re allowed to) say and why, but his delivery is effectively calming. I listen to this when I need meditation and want validation. We’re with you, John!