892. We recently got a question about why people use a type of double-verb construction, such as "We might could go to the store." We have the answer! Plus, in honor of the upcoming National Hispanic Heritage Month, we look at the influence Spanish has had on English. You probably know more Spanish words than you realize!
Yesterday
The sinful fork (and other dinner-table surprises)
<p>1136. This week, we go full Thanksgiving, talking about the origin of butter knives, forks, and more. You'll love all the tidbits you can share with your family or friends during dinner.</p><p>🔗 <strong>Share your familect recording via </strong><a href="https://www.speakpipe ... Show More
14m 49s
Nov 20
Why print dictionaries still matter, with Peter Sokolowski
<p>1135. This week, we talk with Peter Sokolowski, editor at large at Merriam-Webster, about the new print 12th Collegiate Dictionary. We look at why print still matters, how the dictionary used lookup data to decide which words to drop (least looked-up compounds), and the import ... Show More
35m 31s
Nov 18
Personification in language and AI. Dictums, maxims, and proverbs. Expensitive.
<p>1134. This week, we look at the poetic power of personification (the language quirk that gives human traits to nonhuman things) and why style guides advise against using it for AI. Then, we look at the different names for common sayings, defining a proverb and breaking down th ... Show More
17m 26s
Jul 2022
#109 Ellen Jovin on “The Grammar Table”
Creator and proprietor of The Grammar Table, Ellen Jovin, joins Benny Lewis and Shannon Kennedy to talk about traveling the country to discuss grammar, learning the languages of New York, and finding joy in learning grammar.Featured Resources
Rebel with a ClausePatreon Extended E ... Show More
47m 53s
May 2024
How Can We Be More Effective With Language?
Have you ever wondered what’s up with double negation, the history of gender neutral pronouns, or why swearing is taboo? Then get ready for this week’s guest, linguist Anne Curzan! Anne and Jonathan talk about how the English language has evolved since the 1300s and how our words ... Show More
53m 20s
Dec 2022
89: Errores ortográficos más comunes
A lo largo de la historia, la escritura ha ido tomando cada vez más peso y, gracias a ella, podemos dar una pequeña ojeada al pasado. Con el tiempo, hemos ido refinando cómo se escribe y hemos ido creando unas reglas para poder escribir con perfecta claridad. Acompañada a la escr ... Show More
30m 12s
Nov 2022
Explore Latin American Culture through Stories Pt. I (Interview With Carolina Quiroga, Tres Cuentos) ♫ 73 [ENCORE]
In this episode I interview Carolina Quiroga--storyteller, performer, author, and host of the bilingual podcast Tres Cuentos.
Tres Cuentos explores historical and literary narratives of Latin America. Last year, the podcast was mentioned by Oprah magazine as one of the best Lati ... Show More
26 m