992. It's been 100 years since the crossword puzzle took America by storm in 1924. This week, Ben Zimmer tells us the little-known story of how this humble word game launched major publishing empires and examines the public's polarized reactions at the time.
Mar 12
'Mini' and 'factoid' don't mean what you think, with Jess Zafarris
1167. In this bonus segment that originally ran for Grammarpaloozians last October, we look at the surprising true origins of words that often fool people. We explore why "miniature" originally referred to a red color and not a size; the true, non-factual meaning of "factoid"; an ... Show More
13m 20s
Mar 10
Is the Academy Awards singular or plural? Writing about time.
1166. This week, we look the grammar of the Academy Awards and how to avoid an "illogical plot twist" in your sentences. Then, we look at common time-related redundancies like "period of time," the proper way to use "a.m." and "p.m.," and why the abbreviation UTC doesn't actually ... Show More
17m 45s
Mar 5
Mapping the American Tongue: The Dictionary of American Regional English (DARE), with Joan Houston Hall
1165. Today, we talk with Joan Houston Hall to look at the monumental task of documenting how Americans speak. We look at the Dictionary of American Regional English (DARE), exploring the unique folk words that survive outside of standard dictionaries and how "word wagons" travel ... Show More
38m 35s
Dec 2024
The 12 Books of Christmas | The Anxious Generation: Jonathan Haidt on How Smartphones Rewired Childhood
To celebrate 2024, we’re taking a look backwards, and diving into the standout thinkers who have taken to the Intelligence Squared stage in the past 12 months. You might still be on the hunt for that perfect gift for the avid reader in your life, or perhaps you’re after some food ... Show More
59m 22s
Sep 2025
Short Story Ep #2 - A Stonehenge Adventure with Hugo, Chris & Mike
📥 Grab the FREE PDF with 20+ advanced expressions from this episode, complete with quizzes and example sentences , to learn today’s vocabulary 3x faster. Plus, get the script from today's story included! 🎓 Join my weekly online group lessons Welcome to a series of shor ... Show More
23m 28s
Oct 2025
From the Archives: A British Conversation in Charlie's Pub, Scene 1 - Bitesize Ep 2
📥 Grab this episode's FREE PDF with 10 advanced expressions from this episode, complete with quizzes and example sentences, to learn today’s vocabulary 3x faster! 🎓 Join my weekly online group lessons In this episode, step into the Golden Age of England with Ch ... Show More
16m 45s
Sep 2025
Algorithmic Social Media Is Driving New Slang
From viral slang such as “skibidi” to the rise of so-called brain rot, linguist and content creator Adam Aleksic, aka the “Etymology Nerd,” and associate editor Allison Parshall, who covers the mind and brain, unpack how social media and algorithms are reshaping the way we commun ... Show More
26m 55s
Sep 2025
S5/E3 - The Rise of England Explained: Elizabethan Era, Part 1
📥 Grab this episode's FREE PDF with 15 advanced expressions from this episode, complete with quizzes and example sentences, to learn today’s vocabulary 3x faster! 🎓 Join my weekly online group lessons In this episode, step into the Golden Age of England with Charli ... Show More
41m 2s
Nov 2025
Bonus Ep 84: Pt. 2 of The Elizabethan Era: Exploration, Empire & the English Renaissance | Ft. Ben Marks
📥 Grab this episode's FREE PDF with 25 advanced expressions from this episode, complete with quizzes and example sentences, to learn today’s vocabulary 3x faster! 🎓 Join my weekly online group lessons England sails into global power in this spirited exploration ... Show More
31m 10s
Oct 2012
Episode 87: Nothing to Declare But My Coconuts
<p><strong>TOPIC:</strong> Grit, Confidence, and Intuition.</p>
<p>This week, Dan and Merlin begin a conversation on what researchers and educators are learning about why students of all ages do or don't succeed. Yes, it's about intelligence and other cognitive skills, but it's ... Show More
1h 31m
Jun 2017
Free Thinking: Churchill, Pocahontas and The Idiot
Anne McElvoy is joined by screenwriter Alex von Tunzelmann who discusses her new film, Churchill. New Generation Thinker Christopher Bannister, an expert on the propaganda unit The Ministry of Information, reveals the influence it still wields today. Academic Nandini Das and Step ... Show More
44m 13s
