Old. Elderly. Senior. Why are we so uncomfortable when we talk about reaching a certain point in life? An 82-year-old seeks a more positive term to describe how she feels about her age. And: a linguist helps solve a famous kidnapping case, using the vocabulary and spelling in a ransom note. Plus, old library books often contain inscriptions and other notes s ... Show More
May 19
Bean Counting - 19 May 2025
In the 1920’s, Americans were warned of a new danger sweeping across the country. This menace that harmed people’s health, ruined minds, and threatened marriages. The culprit? The national obsession with a new form of entertainment: crossword puzzles. Plus: why are accountants re ... Show More
53m 45s
May 5
Honor Bright - 5 May 2025
A baby’s first word is often a cherished milestone, but some cultures pay more attention to other firsts, like a baby’s first laugh. A fascinating new book by a linguist examines language at the beginning and the end of life. Plus, the expression Murphy’s Law reflects the idea th ... Show More
53m 45s
Aug 2024
Eggcorns, Malapropismos, y la Etimología Popular - Eggcorns, Malapropisms and Popular Etymology
Join us as we share a lighthearted conversation about eggcorns, malapropisms, and folk etymology. We explore how linguistic slip-ups—like confusing "Alzheimer's disease" with "old-timers disease" or "in one fell swoop" with "in one foul swoop"—become part of everyday languag ... Show More
28m 34s
May 6
Colores Que No Sabías Que Necesitabas en Español - Colors You Didn't Know You Needed in Spanish
While choosing wallpaper and curtain rods for our new home studio, we came across color names like “royal blue” and “matte nickel,” sparking a fun conversation about how color terms vary in English and Spanish. From “colorado” to “rosa mexicano,” we unpack the emotional, cultural ... Show More
28m 4s
Jul 8
El Chingonario - The Chingonary
We’re breaking down the many colorful, confusing, and creative ways chingar shows up in everyday Mexican Spanish. From expressions like chingón, chingadera, and chingadazo to more obscure gems like chingaquedito, we cover the meanings, the contexts, and why they matter. Whether y ... Show More
33m 54s
Feb 2025
Números Grandes en Español - Large Numbers in Spanish
Have you ever stumbled upon the differences between “cien” and “ciento”? In this episode, we’ll clarify the difference between the two, we'll dive into irregular hundreds, and show you how to tackle thousands effortlessly. Plus, we’ll uncover the surprising distinctions at t ... Show More
24m 19s
Apr 15
How to Stay Motivated and Make Consistent Progress with Spanish ♫ 15 [ENCORE]
In this episode, we’re talking to a Spanish learner that’s probably a lot like you. Brittany feels a connection with Latino culture, music, and her local community. After downloading numerous apps and stocking up on textbooks, Brittany was still unable to have a conversation in ... Show More
22m 14s
Apr 2016
[007] Part 2 Phrasal Verbs Ask For (And a Hello to Mexico!)
Hola amigos, in this episode we will continue with our Phrasal Verbs segment, this time we will learn the phrasal verb Ask For. But before that, I also send a big Hello to our special listener in Mexico :) Andale! Andale! Get your FREE eBook - Top 10 Most Common Mistakes That Sto ... Show More
6m 40s
Nov 2024
Alebrijes, Tonales, y Animales Fantásticos - Alebrijes, Tonales, and Fantastic Animals
Have you ever wondered about the colorful alebrijes featured in Mexican culture or how they connect to myths like nahuales and tonales? In this episode, we share the story of how alebrijes originated from a fever dream, their transformation from papier-mâché to wood carvings in O ... Show More
24m 30s