Lexicon Valley

Bob Garfield and Mike Vuolo discuss a mystery word or phrase with lexicographer Ben Zimmer. Show notes at www.slate.com/lexiconvalley. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Bob Garfield and Mike Vuolo talk to arts critic Nathan Rabin and journalist Christopher John Farley about the phrases they coined to identify two of Hollywood's most pernicious tropes. Show notes at www.slate.com/lexiconvalley. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mike Vuolo and Bob Garfield discuss a mystery word or phrase with Vocabulary.com executive producer Ben Zimmer. Show notes at www.slate.com/lexiconvalley. Follow @lexiconvalley. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Bob Garfield and Mike Vuolo talk to Columbia University professor John McWhorter about his new book, The Language Hoax. Show notes at www.slate.com/lexiconvalley. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Bob Garfield and Mike Vuolo discuss four legal cases in which the dictionary played a crucial part. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Bob Garfield and Mike Vuolo discuss the early history of the word "dude." Show notes at www.slate.com/lexiconvalley. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Bob Garfield and Mike Vuolo discuss the many meanings of a child's "no." Show notes at www.slate.com/lexiconvalley. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Bob Garfield and Mike Vuolo discuss JFK's Inaugural Address with Richard Tofel, author of Sounding the Trumpet. Show notes at www.slate.com/lexiconvalley. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Bob Garfield and Mike Vuolo talk to linguist Arika Okrent about the most logical language ever invented. Show notes at www.slate.com/lexiconvalley. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Bob Garfield and Mike Vuolo announce the return of Lexicon Valley. Yay! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Bob Garfield and Mike Vuolo discuss the irresistible pull of language pedantry. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Bob Garfield and Mike Vuolo discuss the relationship between tonal languages and musical acuity. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mike Vuolo talks with an anthropological linguist about the influence geography might have on speech. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Bob Garfield and Mike Vuolo discuss the importance of talking to your child. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Bob Garfield and Mike Vuolo discuss curse words old and new with author Melissa Mohr. Show notes at slate.com/lexiconvalley. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Bob Garfield and Mike Vuolo discuss the seemingly paradoxical phrase "yeah-no." Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Bob Garfield and Mike Vuolo announce a new run of Lexicon Valley episodes. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Lexicon Valley will be back with a run of all-new episodes in the spring. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Bob Garfield and Mike Vuolo discuss R-dropping and the New York accent. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Bob Garfield and Mike Vuolo discuss a defining feature of the classic New York accent. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices