The Owlish Folk

amanda and dave

A podcast that answers questions about the English language. In each episode we talk about - and attempt to answer - a question about a feature or quirk of the English language. If you are interested in the English language, history, linguistics, or if you just want to listen to a lighthearted chat between two friends, this show could be for you.

  1. 07/24/2019

    29. A Likely Story: Why do people say "like" so much?

    In this short owl pellet, Dave digs into the origin of the word 'like', its various uses, and whether the way that (often) young speakers use 'like' is really inappropriate or even particularly modern. Dave mentions two films during the episode: Free Solo (2018) Easy Rider (1969) You can contact the show with questions or comments at theowlishfolk@gmail.com. Please subscribe to the show via iTunes, Google Podcasts, Stitcher, Podcoin, or wherever you get your podcasts from. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter @theowlishfolk. If you enjoy the show, please give us a generous review on iTunes! Check out our website.

    14 min

  2. 06/13/2019

    28. Happy Bloomsday!

    In this episode, Amanda and Dave celebrate Bloomsday, a day dedicated to James Joyce and one of his most famous books, Ulysses. You can contact the show with questions or comments at theowlishfolk@gmail.com. Please subscribe to the show via iTunes, Google Podcasts, Podcoin, or wherever you get your podcasts from. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter @theowlishfolk. If you enjoy the show, please give us a generous review on iTunes! Check out our website.

    18 min

  3. 06/11/2019

    27. The Owlish Folk 1 Year Anniversary Episode!

    Hoot hoot! It's The Owlish Folk's one year podcasting anniversary! In this episode, Amanda and Dave reminisce about the past year, discuss why they started the podcast, and share favourite opening words and episodes. Also, they are outrageously thankful to the listeners! You can contact the show with questions or comments at theowlishfolk@gmail.com. Please subscribe to the show via iTunes, Google Podcasts, Podcoin, or wherever you get your podcasts from. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter @theowlishfolk. If you enjoy the show, please give us a generous review on iTunes! Check out our website. Also, please check out the Too Many Podcasts show with Jim the Podcast Sherpa! Amanda and Dave were recently interviewed, and they had a lot of fun!

    18 min

  4. 05/30/2019

    26. Which is Correct: Football or Soccer?

    In this episode, Amanda and Dave discuss which is correct: football or soccer.  If you are American, you'll say "soccer." If you are from most places in the world, it's "football."  If you listen to this episode, you may be surprised by the answer! You can contact the show with questions or comments at theowlishfolk@gmail.com. Please subscribe to the show via iTunes, Google Podcasts, Podcoin, or wherever you get your podcasts from. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter @theowlishfolk. If you enjoy the show, please give us a generous review on iTunes! Check out our website. Also, please support two wonderful podcasts: Coach Cameron Soccer and Relationship Marketing! Please download and subscribe!

    26 min

  5. 05/23/2019

    25. Why do we say "good, better, best"?

    In this episode, Amanda and Dave discuss why English-speakers use "good, better, best" and not "good, gooder, goodest." They also talk about "bad, worse, worst" and the linguistic concept of suppletion.  You can contact the show with questions or comments at theowlishfolk@gmail.com. Please subscribe to the show via iTunes, Google Podcasts, Podcoin, or wherever you get your podcasts from. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter @theowlishfolk. If you enjoy the show, please give us a generous review on iTunes! Check out our website.

    30 min

  6. 05/08/2019

    24. Garden Path Sentences

    In this episode, Amanda and Dave talk about the tricky sentences called "Garden Path Sentences." These sentences are grammatically correct, but seem not to be at first.  Some examples talked about in the episode are: 1. The old man the boat. 2. The horse raced past the barn fell. 3. The complex houses married and single soldiers and their families. 4. The prime number few. 5. The man who hunts ducks out on weekends. 6. Until the police arrest the drug dealers control the street. 7. Fat people eat accumulates. Examples are taken from: https://www.rd.com/culture/garden-path-sentences/ You can contact the show with questions or comments at theowlishfolk@gmail.com. Please subscribe to the show via iTunes, Google Podcasts, Podcoin, or wherever you get your podcasts from. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter @theowlishfolk. If you enjoy the show, please give us a generous review on iTunes!

    25 min

  7. 04/25/2019

    23. Buffalo buffalo buffalo

    In this episode, Amanda and Dave talk about sentences that are often made up of one, or a few, repeating words. Ridiculous as they are hilarious, they are actually grammatically correct!  Some examples talked about in the episode are: 1. Buffalo buffalo Buffalo buffalo buffalo buffalo Buffalo buffalo. 2.  James, while John had had "had", had had "had had"; "had had" had had a better effect on the teacher. 3. A ship-shipping ship ships shipping-ships. 4. Police police Police police police police Police police. 5. Rose rose to put rose roes on her rows of roses. You can contact the show with questions or comments at theowlishfolk@gmail.com. Please subscribe to the show via iTunes, Google Podcasts, Podcoin, or wherever you get your podcasts from. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter @theowlishfolk. If you enjoy the show, please give us a generous review on iTunes!

    23 min

  8. 04/10/2019

    22. Escher Sentences

    In this owlet episode, Amanda and Dave talk about the interesting concept of Escher sentences, also known as "comparative illusions." Some examples talked about in the episode are:  1. "More people have been to Russia than I have." 2.  "More people have been to Berlin than I have." 3.  "..More people have analyzed it than I have..." 4. "More phones have games on them than this one." 5.  "In Michigan and Minnesota, more people found Mr Bush's ads negative than they did Mr Kerry's." You can contact the show with questions or comments at theowlishfolk@gmail.com. Please subscribe to the show via iTunes, Google Podcasts,  Podcoin, or wherever you get your podcasts from. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter @theowlishfolk. If you enjoy the show, please give us a   generous review on iTunes!

    23 min
See All (29)

5
out of 5
10 Ratings

About

A podcast that answers questions about the English language. In each episode we talk about - and attempt to answer - a question about a feature or quirk of the English language. If you are interested in the English language, history, linguistics, or if you just want to listen to a lighthearted chat between two friends, this show could be for you.

Information

  • Creator
    amanda and dave
  • Years Active
    2018 - 2019
  • Episodes
    29
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © amanda and dave
  • Show Website
    The Owlish Folk