Otherwords (2021) | StreamScapeX

Episodes

Season 1, 57 episodes

Episode 1: The Unexpected Origins of the Word ‘Monster’
- Now playing
- 8m
- Mar 24, 2021
Words don't pop up fully formed... they evolve over thousands of years. What can we learn about our relationship to monsters by tracking the word down into the distant past?
Episode 2: What's the Longest Word?
- 8m
- Apr 14, 2021
Before we decide from a long list of contenders, we'll have to figure out what the word "word" really means...
Episode 3: Can Computers Really Talk? Or Are They Faking It?
- 8m
- May 5, 2021
New advancements in technology are making it harder than ever to tell the difference between a computer and a human speaker... but what's going on under the hood? Is it really "language," or just a digital illusion?
Episode 4: What People Get Wrong About African-American English
- 8m
- Jun 16, 2021
It's one of the most studied — and most controversial — varieties of English. But many people still hold deep misconceptions about African-American English (AAE).
Episode 5: Popular Words Invented by Authors
- 8m
- Jul 28, 2021
Authors often create words just for a one-time usage... but a special few will gain traction and become full-fledged parts of our shared lexicon! Otherwords is a new PBS web series on Storied that digs deep into this quintessential human trait of language and fınds the fascinating, thought-provoking, and funny stories behind the words and sounds we take for granted. Incorporating the fıelds of biology, history, cultural studies, literature, and more, linguistics has something for everyone and offers a unique perspective into what it means to be human.
Episode 6: 60 Euphemisms for Death!
- 8m
- Sep 20, 2021
No topic is as universally avoided--yet universally unavoidable--as DEATH. So, it's got a lot of euphemisms in virtually every language.
Episode 7: Is Swearing Good for Your Brain?
- 8m
- Jan 20, 2022
Does swearing get a bad rap? There's evidence that the shouting obscenities has an evolutionary purpose... and may be good for your psyche!
Episode 8: How Do Clichés Evolve into Memes?
- 8m
- Feb 24, 2022
Adaptable clichés called "snowclones" are EVERYWHERE on the internet. We use them for memes, inside jokes, to show our membership of the group. But they weren't invented online. In fact, they're way older than you think!
Episode 9: The Screwed-Up History of English Spelling
- 8m
- Mar 24, 2022
The English spelling system is a MESS... arguably more than any other language. How did it get this way?
Episode 10: Pronouns: Little Words That Say a Lot
- 7m
- Apr 21, 2022
Pronouns may be little, but they say a lot, and they're always changing!
Episode 11: Is Gossip... Good?
- 8m
- May 26, 2022
Gossip is an integral part of human social structure... and maybe the reason language evolved in the first place!
Episode 12: Foreign Words We Need in English
- 7m
- Jun 23, 2022
English has more words than most other languages, but there are still so many familiar things and experiences that we don't have a word for... but other languages do! Here are some of our faves!
Episode 13: Is Bilingualism a Superpower?
- 10m
- Jul 28, 2022
There was a time when psychologists thought growing up bilingual was harmful to brain development, but recent studies into bilingual children have turned that idea on its head!
Episode 14: The Stories Behind Food Names
- 8m
- Aug 25, 2022
It shouldn't matter what a food is called as long as it tastes good, right? Well, maybe not.
Episode 15: Literally No One Likes a Grammar Cop
- 10m
- Sep 22, 2022
Besides being annoying, what if the grammar police are actually... wrong?
Episode 16: Why Sign Language Was Banned in America
- 12m
- Oct 27, 2022
Sign Languages are just as linguistically valid and vibrant as spoken languages, and beneficial to learn for Deaf and hearing people. So why for decades was it illegal to teach them in American schools?
Episode 17: How Brands Ruin Slang
- 8m
- Jan 26, 2023
Why do brands use slang in their marketing? And why does it sound so... cringey?
Episode 18: Is "R" a Vowel?
- 7m
- Feb 23, 2023
We all know that the vowels are A, E, I, O, U and sometimes Y... But the way linguists define vowels may mean R qualifies as well!
Episode 19: Where Alcoholic Drinks Got Their Names
- 7m
- Mar 23, 2023
Alcohol has been with humanity since the dawn of civilization, and we use still use some of the same terms for it! Come with us on an etymological journey through the history of drinking.
Episode 20: How English Took Over the World
- 7m
- Apr 20, 2023
How did English become the most spoken language on the planet, and why are there so many varieties of English?
Episode 21: The Weird History of Invented Languages
- 10m
- May 25, 2023
Can you really invent a language? These people sure tried! But does anyone actually speak them?
Episode 22: How Queer Communities Created Secret Languages
- 7m
- Jun 22, 2023
Across the globe, queer communities have relied on secret lexicons known as "argots" to communicate safely, which have developed over the years into what some call "verbal jazz."
Episode 23: What Brain Damage Reveals About Language
- 9m
- Jul 27, 2023
Some of the first discoveries about the relationship between language and the brain were made by studying patients with brain damage. Of course, before modern technology, the only way you could see the brain was by opening it up.
Episode 24: Why Does Texting Feel Different from Talking?
- 7m
- Aug 24, 2023
Your texts might be cool and clever, but you still get tongue-tied when talking to people face-to-face. Why is that? It's all just words, right? Learn the difference between what linguist call synchronous and asynchronous communication.
Episode 25: How the Colors Got Their Names
- 7m
- Sep 21, 2023
The earliest humans didn't have words for colors... and the way they evolved follow a remarkably similar path across cultures.
Episode 26: The Most Extreme Place Names
- 8m
- Oct 19, 2023
Place names, known as "toponyms" do more than just help us know where we're supposed to meet up.| They often provide clues that can tell you a lot about a location: its geography, history and the people who lived there.
Episode 27: How Language Nerds Solve Crimes
- 9m
- Jan 25, 2024
Episode 28: Why Do These Words Get Mispronounced So Much?
- 9m
- Feb 22, 2024
There are actually good reasons why people tend to mispronounce the same words... and why they ofTen end up being the new standard!
Episode 29: Is the Southern Accent Disappearing?
- 8m
- Mar 21, 2024
Linguists studying the Southern American Dialect reckon that it ain't what it used to be, y'all. I do declayuh!
Episode 30: Why Do We Use Cringey Words for Loved Ones?
- 9m
- Apr 26, 2024
From "kitty" to "lovebug," people across the world use very similar type of words for the people they love. What's behind this universal linguistic trend?
Episode 31: Why Do Baby Names Fall Out of Fashion?
- 8m
- May 30, 2024
How many Mildreds did you go to school with? If you're under 60 years old, probably none! Mildred may have been a top ten baby name 100 years ago, but today its almost extinct... Why is that??
Episode 32: How Cults Use Language to Control
- 11m
- Jun 20, 2024
If there's one thing cult leaders do, it's talk. A LOT. Language is an integral part of how cults keep their members bonded, isolated and obedient.
Episode 33: What Is Your Body Telling People?
- 9m
- Jul 25, 2024
You can choose your words as carefully as you want, but your body may be sending other messages you're not even aware of!
Episode 34: Why Is English Awash in Sailors' Jargon?
- 9m
- Aug 22, 2024
There are so many common words and phrases in English that came from the world of sailing, it's almost OVERWHELMING!
Episode 35: You Were Probably Taught to Read Wrong
- 9m
- Sep 19, 2024
There are so many common words and phrases in English that came from the world of sailing, it's almost OVERWHELMING!
Episode 36: Is English a Creole?
- 8m
- Oct 31, 2024
There's been a lot of debate amongst linguists about what actually constitutes a creole language. By some definitions, English might be a creole!
Episode 37: Can TV Change the Way We Speak?
- 7m
- Nov 21, 2024
Some parents are concerned (or thrilled?) that their kids might be developing an Australian accent from watching Bluey... but is that really possible? How much of our language acquisition comes from TV anyway?
Episode 38: The Ancient Origins of Body Words
- 9m
- Jan 30, 2025
The parts of the human body were likely some of the first things people gave names to, so their deep etymologies can teach us a lot about how language has changed over the millennia.
Episode 39: How Languages Die
- 9m
- Feb 27, 2025
Like species, languages can go extinct. But there are different stages of language death, and some can be reversed.
Episode 40: Why A.I. Struggles with Negative Words
- 7m
- Apr 3, 2025
One of the first words a baby learns is NO! But negation is a deceptively complex linguistic process!
Episode 41: Inside the Fiercest Debate in Linguistics
- 13m
- Apr 24, 2025
It's one of the most contentious debates in linguistics, and at the heart of what it means to be human!
Episode 42: Where Did Cringey Corporate Jargon Come From?
- 6m
- May 22, 2025
We're gonna have to ask you to go ahead and watch this video.
Episode 43: These Magic Words Are REAL!
- 8m
- Jun 26, 2025
Since ancient times, humans have believed in the special power of words to change the world around them... and they might be right!
Episode 44: Will Algorithmic Self-Censorship Unalive Language?
- 8m
- Jul 24, 2025
TikTok users are altering their speech to evade algorithmic filters--but will this harm language in the long run?
Episode 45: Popular Word Origins That Are Totally WRONG
- 8m
- Aug 21, 2025
Sometimes misunderstandings and made-up origins get popular enough to stick around... we call these "folk etymologies"!
Episode 46: The 2,000 Year Evolution of Punctuation
- 10m
- Sep 23, 2025
There was a time when written words were all scrunched together without any spaces or symbols to help the reader make sense of it. How did we get from that to this?
Episode 47: How Brands Use Linguistics to Control Your Mind
- 10m
- Oct 28, 2025
Learn the linguistic secrets that companies use to subtly implant thoughts about their products directly into your brain!
Episode 48: Why Linguists Love What's Happening with K-Pop
- 8m
- Feb 3, 2026
As K-Pop slowly takes over the whole world, linguists have noticed it's changing the way people speak in multiple countries.
Episode 49: Lying Is Way More Complicated Than You Think
- 10m
- Mar 3, 2026
We all know that lying is wrong, right? But trying to figure out what *exactly* counts as a lie is something that religions, courts and linguists have grappled with for years.
Episode 50: Why We All Disagree on How to Talk About Time
- 10m
- Mar 31, 2026
In English-speaking countries, the past is "behind" us and the future is still "ahead." But there's much more linguistic variety in how we talk about time... and it might actually influence how we perceive it.
Episode 51: Why Every Generation Uses This One Slang Word
- 10m
- Apr 28, 2026
Most slang words come and go, but there's one undisputed king that's over 100 years old and still as relevant as ever... and that's cool.
Episode 52: The Problem with Judges Acting Like Linguists
- 11m
- May 26, 2026
In a court of law, your fate can be determined by how a judge interprets a word or sentence... but should judges be acting as armchair linguists?
Episode 53: Why Are There So Few Words for Smells?
- 10m
- Jun 23, 2026
Humans can differentiate as many as a TRILLION different odors, and yet of all the senses, we have the fewest number of words for SMELLS... why is that?
Episode 54: The People Trying to Control Language
- 8m
- Jul 21, 2026
It's said that you can't control how language is used... but that doesn't stop these organizations from trying!
Episode 55: Does "Baby Talk" Have a Purpose?
- 10m
- Aug 17, 2026
Baby talk (aka Infant Directed Speech) has gotten a lot of hate over the years, but recent studies may have put the controversy to beddy-bye.
Episode 56: How Fast Can a Word Change Its Meaning?
- 8m
- Sep 15, 2026
Sometimes, words can change their meaning in just one or two generations! Here's how it can happen...
Episode 57: There Are Way More God-Words Than You Think
- 12m
- Oct 13, 2026
Gods are all around us... in the words we use everyday!

Otherwords

2021 to present
1 season
8m per episode

Overview

Digs deep into the quintessential human trait of language to find the fascinating, thought-provoking, and funny stories behind the words and sounds we take for granted. Incorporating the fields of biology, history, cultural studies, literature and more, linguistics has something for everyone and offers a unique perspective into what it means to be human.

Fun facts

Episodes
1 season and 56 episodes so far
Source for Episodes, opens in a new tab

Details

Status: Returning Series
Seasons: 1
Episodes: 56
First aired: March 24, 2021
Last aired: September 15, 2026
Original language: English

Streaming on

In the United States

Availability data byJustWatch, opens in a new tab

All options

Network

Videos

Episodes

Season 1, 57 episodes

Episode 1: The Unexpected Origins of the Word ‘Monster’
- Now playing
- 8m
- Mar 24, 2021
Words don't pop up fully formed... they evolve over thousands of years. What can we learn about our relationship to monsters by tracking the word down into the distant past?
Episode 2: What's the Longest Word?
- 8m
- Apr 14, 2021
Before we decide from a long list of contenders, we'll have to figure out what the word "word" really means...
Episode 3: Can Computers Really Talk? Or Are They Faking It?
- 8m
- May 5, 2021
New advancements in technology are making it harder than ever to tell the difference between a computer and a human speaker... but what's going on under the hood? Is it really "language," or just a digital illusion?
Episode 4: What People Get Wrong About African-American English
- 8m
- Jun 16, 2021
It's one of the most studied — and most controversial — varieties of English. But many people still hold deep misconceptions about African-American English (AAE).
Episode 5: Popular Words Invented by Authors
- 8m
- Jul 28, 2021
Authors often create words just for a one-time usage... but a special few will gain traction and become full-fledged parts of our shared lexicon! Otherwords is a new PBS web series on Storied that digs deep into this quintessential human trait of language and fınds the fascinating, thought-provoking, and funny stories behind the words and sounds we take for granted. Incorporating the fıelds of biology, history, cultural studies, literature, and more, linguistics has something for everyone and offers a unique perspective into what it means to be human.
Episode 6: 60 Euphemisms for Death!
- 8m
- Sep 20, 2021
No topic is as universally avoided--yet universally unavoidable--as DEATH. So, it's got a lot of euphemisms in virtually every language.
Episode 7: Is Swearing Good for Your Brain?
- 8m
- Jan 20, 2022
Does swearing get a bad rap? There's evidence that the shouting obscenities has an evolutionary purpose... and may be good for your psyche!
Episode 8: How Do Clichés Evolve into Memes?
- 8m
- Feb 24, 2022
Adaptable clichés called "snowclones" are EVERYWHERE on the internet. We use them for memes, inside jokes, to show our membership of the group. But they weren't invented online. In fact, they're way older than you think!
Episode 9: The Screwed-Up History of English Spelling
- 8m
- Mar 24, 2022
The English spelling system is a MESS... arguably more than any other language. How did it get this way?
Episode 10: Pronouns: Little Words That Say a Lot
- 7m
- Apr 21, 2022
Pronouns may be little, but they say a lot, and they're always changing!
Episode 11: Is Gossip... Good?
- 8m
- May 26, 2022
Gossip is an integral part of human social structure... and maybe the reason language evolved in the first place!
Episode 12: Foreign Words We Need in English
- 7m
- Jun 23, 2022
English has more words than most other languages, but there are still so many familiar things and experiences that we don't have a word for... but other languages do! Here are some of our faves!
Episode 13: Is Bilingualism a Superpower?
- 10m
- Jul 28, 2022
There was a time when psychologists thought growing up bilingual was harmful to brain development, but recent studies into bilingual children have turned that idea on its head!
Episode 14: The Stories Behind Food Names
- 8m
- Aug 25, 2022
It shouldn't matter what a food is called as long as it tastes good, right? Well, maybe not.
Episode 15: Literally No One Likes a Grammar Cop
- 10m
- Sep 22, 2022
Besides being annoying, what if the grammar police are actually... wrong?
Episode 16: Why Sign Language Was Banned in America
- 12m
- Oct 27, 2022
Sign Languages are just as linguistically valid and vibrant as spoken languages, and beneficial to learn for Deaf and hearing people. So why for decades was it illegal to teach them in American schools?
Episode 17: How Brands Ruin Slang
- 8m
- Jan 26, 2023
Why do brands use slang in their marketing? And why does it sound so... cringey?
Episode 18: Is "R" a Vowel?
- 7m
- Feb 23, 2023
We all know that the vowels are A, E, I, O, U and sometimes Y... But the way linguists define vowels may mean R qualifies as well!
Episode 19: Where Alcoholic Drinks Got Their Names
- 7m
- Mar 23, 2023
Alcohol has been with humanity since the dawn of civilization, and we use still use some of the same terms for it! Come with us on an etymological journey through the history of drinking.
Episode 20: How English Took Over the World
- 7m
- Apr 20, 2023
How did English become the most spoken language on the planet, and why are there so many varieties of English?
Episode 21: The Weird History of Invented Languages
- 10m
- May 25, 2023
Can you really invent a language? These people sure tried! But does anyone actually speak them?
Episode 22: How Queer Communities Created Secret Languages
- 7m
- Jun 22, 2023
Across the globe, queer communities have relied on secret lexicons known as "argots" to communicate safely, which have developed over the years into what some call "verbal jazz."
Episode 23: What Brain Damage Reveals About Language
- 9m
- Jul 27, 2023
Some of the first discoveries about the relationship between language and the brain were made by studying patients with brain damage. Of course, before modern technology, the only way you could see the brain was by opening it up.
Episode 24: Why Does Texting Feel Different from Talking?
- 7m
- Aug 24, 2023
Your texts might be cool and clever, but you still get tongue-tied when talking to people face-to-face. Why is that? It's all just words, right? Learn the difference between what linguist call synchronous and asynchronous communication.
Episode 25: How the Colors Got Their Names
- 7m
- Sep 21, 2023
The earliest humans didn't have words for colors... and the way they evolved follow a remarkably similar path across cultures.
Episode 26: The Most Extreme Place Names
- 8m
- Oct 19, 2023
Place names, known as "toponyms" do more than just help us know where we're supposed to meet up.| They often provide clues that can tell you a lot about a location: its geography, history and the people who lived there.
Episode 27: How Language Nerds Solve Crimes
- 9m
- Jan 25, 2024
Episode 28: Why Do These Words Get Mispronounced So Much?
- 9m
- Feb 22, 2024
There are actually good reasons why people tend to mispronounce the same words... and why they ofTen end up being the new standard!
Episode 29: Is the Southern Accent Disappearing?
- 8m
- Mar 21, 2024
Linguists studying the Southern American Dialect reckon that it ain't what it used to be, y'all. I do declayuh!
Episode 30: Why Do We Use Cringey Words for Loved Ones?
- 9m
- Apr 26, 2024
From "kitty" to "lovebug," people across the world use very similar type of words for the people they love. What's behind this universal linguistic trend?
Episode 31: Why Do Baby Names Fall Out of Fashion?
- 8m
- May 30, 2024
How many Mildreds did you go to school with? If you're under 60 years old, probably none! Mildred may have been a top ten baby name 100 years ago, but today its almost extinct... Why is that??
Episode 32: How Cults Use Language to Control
- 11m
- Jun 20, 2024
If there's one thing cult leaders do, it's talk. A LOT. Language is an integral part of how cults keep their members bonded, isolated and obedient.
Episode 33: What Is Your Body Telling People?
- 9m
- Jul 25, 2024
You can choose your words as carefully as you want, but your body may be sending other messages you're not even aware of!
Episode 34: Why Is English Awash in Sailors' Jargon?
- 9m
- Aug 22, 2024
There are so many common words and phrases in English that came from the world of sailing, it's almost OVERWHELMING!
Episode 35: You Were Probably Taught to Read Wrong
- 9m
- Sep 19, 2024
There are so many common words and phrases in English that came from the world of sailing, it's almost OVERWHELMING!
Episode 36: Is English a Creole?
- 8m
- Oct 31, 2024
There's been a lot of debate amongst linguists about what actually constitutes a creole language. By some definitions, English might be a creole!
Episode 37: Can TV Change the Way We Speak?
- 7m
- Nov 21, 2024
Some parents are concerned (or thrilled?) that their kids might be developing an Australian accent from watching Bluey... but is that really possible? How much of our language acquisition comes from TV anyway?
Episode 38: The Ancient Origins of Body Words
- 9m
- Jan 30, 2025
The parts of the human body were likely some of the first things people gave names to, so their deep etymologies can teach us a lot about how language has changed over the millennia.
Episode 39: How Languages Die
- 9m
- Feb 27, 2025
Like species, languages can go extinct. But there are different stages of language death, and some can be reversed.
Episode 40: Why A.I. Struggles with Negative Words
- 7m
- Apr 3, 2025
One of the first words a baby learns is NO! But negation is a deceptively complex linguistic process!
Episode 41: Inside the Fiercest Debate in Linguistics
- 13m
- Apr 24, 2025
It's one of the most contentious debates in linguistics, and at the heart of what it means to be human!
Episode 42: Where Did Cringey Corporate Jargon Come From?
- 6m
- May 22, 2025
We're gonna have to ask you to go ahead and watch this video.
Episode 43: These Magic Words Are REAL!
- 8m
- Jun 26, 2025
Since ancient times, humans have believed in the special power of words to change the world around them... and they might be right!
Episode 44: Will Algorithmic Self-Censorship Unalive Language?
- 8m
- Jul 24, 2025
TikTok users are altering their speech to evade algorithmic filters--but will this harm language in the long run?
Episode 45: Popular Word Origins That Are Totally WRONG
- 8m
- Aug 21, 2025
Sometimes misunderstandings and made-up origins get popular enough to stick around... we call these "folk etymologies"!
Episode 46: The 2,000 Year Evolution of Punctuation
- 10m
- Sep 23, 2025
There was a time when written words were all scrunched together without any spaces or symbols to help the reader make sense of it. How did we get from that to this?
Episode 47: How Brands Use Linguistics to Control Your Mind
- 10m
- Oct 28, 2025
Learn the linguistic secrets that companies use to subtly implant thoughts about their products directly into your brain!
Episode 48: Why Linguists Love What's Happening with K-Pop
- 8m
- Feb 3, 2026
As K-Pop slowly takes over the whole world, linguists have noticed it's changing the way people speak in multiple countries.
Episode 49: Lying Is Way More Complicated Than You Think
- 10m
- Mar 3, 2026
We all know that lying is wrong, right? But trying to figure out what *exactly* counts as a lie is something that religions, courts and linguists have grappled with for years.
Episode 50: Why We All Disagree on How to Talk About Time
- 10m
- Mar 31, 2026
In English-speaking countries, the past is "behind" us and the future is still "ahead." But there's much more linguistic variety in how we talk about time... and it might actually influence how we perceive it.
Episode 51: Why Every Generation Uses This One Slang Word
- 10m
- Apr 28, 2026
Most slang words come and go, but there's one undisputed king that's over 100 years old and still as relevant as ever... and that's cool.
Episode 52: The Problem with Judges Acting Like Linguists
- 11m
- May 26, 2026
In a court of law, your fate can be determined by how a judge interprets a word or sentence... but should judges be acting as armchair linguists?
Episode 53: Why Are There So Few Words for Smells?
- 10m
- Jun 23, 2026
Humans can differentiate as many as a TRILLION different odors, and yet of all the senses, we have the fewest number of words for SMELLS... why is that?
Episode 54: The People Trying to Control Language
- 8m
- Jul 21, 2026
It's said that you can't control how language is used... but that doesn't stop these organizations from trying!
Episode 55: Does "Baby Talk" Have a Purpose?
- 10m
- Aug 17, 2026
Baby talk (aka Infant Directed Speech) has gotten a lot of hate over the years, but recent studies may have put the controversy to beddy-bye.
Episode 56: How Fast Can a Word Change Its Meaning?
- 8m
- Sep 15, 2026
Sometimes, words can change their meaning in just one or two generations! Here's how it can happen...
Episode 57: There Are Way More God-Words Than You Think
- 12m
- Oct 13, 2026
Gods are all around us... in the words we use everyday!

Episodes

E1 Episode 1: The Unexpected Origins of the Word ‘Monster’

E2 Episode 2: What's the Longest Word?

E3 Episode 3: Can Computers Really Talk? Or Are They Faking It?

E4 Episode 4: What People Get Wrong About African-American English

E5 Episode 5: Popular Words Invented by Authors

E6 Episode 6: 60 Euphemisms for Death!

E7 Episode 7: Is Swearing Good for Your Brain?

E8 Episode 8: How Do Clichés Evolve into Memes?

E9 Episode 9: The Screwed-Up History of English Spelling

E10 Episode 10: Pronouns: Little Words That Say a Lot

E11 Episode 11: Is Gossip... Good?

E12 Episode 12: Foreign Words We Need in English

E13 Episode 13: Is Bilingualism a Superpower?

E14 Episode 14: The Stories Behind Food Names

E15 Episode 15: Literally No One Likes a Grammar Cop

E16 Episode 16: Why Sign Language Was Banned in America

E17 Episode 17: How Brands Ruin Slang

E18 Episode 18: Is "R" a Vowel?

E19 Episode 19: Where Alcoholic Drinks Got Their Names

E20 Episode 20: How English Took Over the World

E21 Episode 21: The Weird History of Invented Languages

E22 Episode 22: How Queer Communities Created Secret Languages

E23 Episode 23: What Brain Damage Reveals About Language

E24 Episode 24: Why Does Texting Feel Different from Talking?

E25 Episode 25: How the Colors Got Their Names

E26 Episode 26: The Most Extreme Place Names

E27 Episode 27: How Language Nerds Solve Crimes

E28 Episode 28: Why Do These Words Get Mispronounced So Much?

E29 Episode 29: Is the Southern Accent Disappearing?

E30 Episode 30: Why Do We Use Cringey Words for Loved Ones?

E31 Episode 31: Why Do Baby Names Fall Out of Fashion?

E32 Episode 32: How Cults Use Language to Control

E33 Episode 33: What Is Your Body Telling People?

E34 Episode 34: Why Is English Awash in Sailors' Jargon?

E35 Episode 35: You Were Probably Taught to Read Wrong

E36 Episode 36: Is English a Creole?

E37 Episode 37: Can TV Change the Way We Speak?

E38 Episode 38: The Ancient Origins of Body Words

E39 Episode 39: How Languages Die

E40 Episode 40: Why A.I. Struggles with Negative Words

E41 Episode 41: Inside the Fiercest Debate in Linguistics

E42 Episode 42: Where Did Cringey Corporate Jargon Come From?

E43 Episode 43: These Magic Words Are REAL!

E44 Episode 44: Will Algorithmic Self-Censorship Unalive Language?

E45 Episode 45: Popular Word Origins That Are Totally WRONG

E46 Episode 46: The 2,000 Year Evolution of Punctuation

E47 Episode 47: How Brands Use Linguistics to Control Your Mind

E48 Episode 48: Why Linguists Love What's Happening with K-Pop

E49 Episode 49: Lying Is Way More Complicated Than You Think

E50 Episode 50: Why We All Disagree on How to Talk About Time

E51 Episode 51: Why Every Generation Uses This One Slang Word

E52 Episode 52: The Problem with Judges Acting Like Linguists

E53 Episode 53: Why Are There So Few Words for Smells?

E54 Episode 54: The People Trying to Control Language

E55 Episode 55: Does "Baby Talk" Have a Purpose?

E56 Episode 56: How Fast Can a Word Change Its Meaning?

E57 Episode 57: There Are Way More God-Words Than You Think

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Episodes

E1 Episode 1: The Unexpected Origins of the Word ‘Monster’

E2 Episode 2: What's the Longest Word?

E3 Episode 3: Can Computers Really Talk? Or Are They Faking It?

E4 Episode 4: What People Get Wrong About African-American English

E5 Episode 5: Popular Words Invented by Authors

E6 Episode 6: 60 Euphemisms for Death!

E7 Episode 7: Is Swearing Good for Your Brain?

E8 Episode 8: How Do Clichés Evolve into Memes?

E9 Episode 9: The Screwed-Up History of English Spelling

E10 Episode 10: Pronouns: Little Words That Say a Lot

E11 Episode 11: Is Gossip... Good?

E12 Episode 12: Foreign Words We Need in English

E13 Episode 13: Is Bilingualism a Superpower?

E14 Episode 14: The Stories Behind Food Names

Episode 1: The Unexpected Origins of the Word ‘Monster’

Episode 2: What's the Longest Word?

Episode 3: Can Computers Really Talk? Or Are They Faking It?

Episode 4: What People Get Wrong About African-American English

Episode 5: Popular Words Invented by Authors

Episode 6: 60 Euphemisms for Death!

Episode 7: Is Swearing Good for Your Brain?

Episode 8: How Do Clichés Evolve into Memes?

Episode 9: The Screwed-Up History of English Spelling

Episode 10: Pronouns: Little Words That Say a Lot

Episode 11: Is Gossip... Good?

Episode 12: Foreign Words We Need in English

Episode 13: Is Bilingualism a Superpower?

Episode 14: The Stories Behind Food Names

Episode 15: Literally No One Likes a Grammar Cop

Episode 16: Why Sign Language Was Banned in America

Episode 17: How Brands Ruin Slang

Episode 18: Is "R" a Vowel?

Episode 19: Where Alcoholic Drinks Got Their Names

Episode 20: How English Took Over the World

Episode 21: The Weird History of Invented Languages

Episode 22: How Queer Communities Created Secret Languages

Episode 23: What Brain Damage Reveals About Language

Episode 24: Why Does Texting Feel Different from Talking?

Episode 25: How the Colors Got Their Names

Episode 26: The Most Extreme Place Names

Episode 27: How Language Nerds Solve Crimes

Episode 28: Why Do These Words Get Mispronounced So Much?

Episode 29: Is the Southern Accent Disappearing?

Episode 30: Why Do We Use Cringey Words for Loved Ones?

Episode 31: Why Do Baby Names Fall Out of Fashion?

Episode 32: How Cults Use Language to Control

Episode 33: What Is Your Body Telling People?

Episode 34: Why Is English Awash in Sailors' Jargon?

Episode 35: You Were Probably Taught to Read Wrong

Episode 36: Is English a Creole?

Episode 37: Can TV Change the Way We Speak?

Episode 38: The Ancient Origins of Body Words

Episode 39: How Languages Die

Episode 40: Why A.I. Struggles with Negative Words

Episode 41: Inside the Fiercest Debate in Linguistics

Episode 42: Where Did Cringey Corporate Jargon Come From?

Episode 43: These Magic Words Are REAL!

Episode 44: Will Algorithmic Self-Censorship Unalive Language?

Episode 45: Popular Word Origins That Are Totally WRONG

Episode 46: The 2,000 Year Evolution of Punctuation

Episode 47: How Brands Use Linguistics to Control Your Mind

Episode 48: Why Linguists Love What's Happening with K-Pop

Episode 49: Lying Is Way More Complicated Than You Think

Episode 50: Why We All Disagree on How to Talk About Time

Episode 51: Why Every Generation Uses This One Slang Word

Episode 52: The Problem with Judges Acting Like Linguists

Episode 53: Why Are There So Few Words for Smells?

Episode 54: The People Trying to Control Language

Episode 55: Does "Baby Talk" Have a Purpose?

Episode 56: How Fast Can a Word Change Its Meaning?

Episode 57: There Are Way More God-Words Than You Think

Episode 1: The Unexpected Origins of the Word ‘Monster’

Episode 2: What's the Longest Word?

Episode 3: Can Computers Really Talk? Or Are They Faking It?

Episode 4: What People Get Wrong About African-American English

Episode 5: Popular Words Invented by Authors

Episode 6: 60 Euphemisms for Death!

Episode 7: Is Swearing Good for Your Brain?

Episode 8: How Do Clichés Evolve into Memes?

Episode 9: The Screwed-Up History of English Spelling

Episode 10: Pronouns: Little Words That Say a Lot

Episode 11: Is Gossip... Good?

Episode 12: Foreign Words We Need in English

Episode 13: Is Bilingualism a Superpower?

Episode 14: The Stories Behind Food Names

Episode 15: Literally No One Likes a Grammar Cop

Episode 16: Why Sign Language Was Banned in America

Episode 17: How Brands Ruin Slang

Episode 18: Is "R" a Vowel?

Episode 19: Where Alcoholic Drinks Got Their Names

Episode 20: How English Took Over the World

Episode 21: The Weird History of Invented Languages

Episode 22: How Queer Communities Created Secret Languages

Episode 23: What Brain Damage Reveals About Language