We talk about one of the scariest of things: words that seem like they should mean the same thing but actually don't. Is a hobgoblin just a fancy goblin? What's the difference between a coffin and a casket? And why do people keep saying "autobiography" when they mean "memoir?"
Oct 24
31 min
We look at the origins of some fall-related and autumn-related words. Which, to be clear, are the same thing.
Oct 17
32 min
We're talking about how we understand each other even when we're using techniques we don't realize we're using, and how we work together to communicate. We'll dive into Grice's Maxims of Conversation and the importance of implicature in everyday conversation.
Oct 10
32 min
We continue our look into the etymologies of various (mild) insults, including the origins of rube, bum, schmuck, and dweeb. (You're none of these things, don't worry, we love you.)
Oct 3
29 min
We look at the etymologies of various insults throughout history, including the origins of barbarian, brat, dunce, and fool.
Sep 26
34 min
Be careful how you say these words! It could be a matter of life and death.
Sep 19
36 min
Hydronyms, dromonyms… toponyms! (Place names. We’re talking about place names.)
Sep 12
36 min
We gaze again into the ocean of difference between American English and British English.
Sep 5
34 min
Sometimes you read something that makes you throw the book against the wall, never to pick it up again.
Aug 29
35 min
We've tackled the differences between American and British English, but let's not forget Canadians also have a language of their own.
Aug 22
29 min
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