Lexicon Valley

A romp through word histories and how meanings shift over time. A look at wit’s original sense of knowledge and its survival in strange compounds. Old recordings reveal how automobile shrank into auto and car. Playful takes on redundancy in language and how extra words can be meaningful or comic.

Stefan Fatsis, journalist and author of Unabridged who tried his hand as a professional lexicographer. He recounts defining words, wrestling with imposter syndrome, and picking entries that reveal cultural shifts. He digs into viral controversies like sheeple, why some coins fail, and how the internet and AI are reshaping dictionaries’ future.

"Unabridged" author Stefan Fatsis on the fastidious practice of lexicography and the heiress who amassed the largest collection of dictionaries in history. ⁠⁠Visit Lexicon Valley⁠⁠. A Booksmart Studios production. Episode 292: "Look It Up! The Story of the Dictionary." With Stefan Fatsis and Bob Garfield. Edited and produced by Mike Vuolo. Produced by Livia Bloom Ingram. All rights reserved. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Like 'analog watch' and 'snail mail,' 'openly racist' is a retronym — John McWhorter and Mike Vuolo explain. ⁠Visit Lexicon Valley⁠. A Booksmart Studios production. Episode 291: "Open Season for Racists." With John McWhorter and Mike Vuolo. Edited and produced by Mike Vuolo. All rights reserved. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A lively look at how 'angle' evolved from a hooked fishing tool into metaphor and surname material. They trace Old English roots, biblical and Shakespearean uses, and why angling captured imaginations. Conversation ranges from anglerfish naming to a 14th century record and a funny family fishing tale.

A lively dive into the surprising history of the word gist. Traces the term from old French cemetery inscriptions to a legal phrase that shifted into everyday 'essence'. Explores a Nigerian English sense meaning gossip and how that shaped podcast names. Ends with playful banter about getting to the point.

Derek Guy, a writer and commentator renowned for his insights on men's fashion, dives deep into the intriguing language of clothing. He explains the distinctions between coats and overcoats, emphasizing the ideal features of a coat. Derek traces the origins of the sport coat and details how fashion choices signify social status, including the unique role of elbow patches. He also highlights the evolution of styles like parkas and puffers, linking them to cultural movements. It's a fascinating look at how our attire communicates who we are.

A surprising AI-generated article misattributed views to John McWhorter, sparking a need for clarification. He delves into the complexities of the Ukrainian language, explaining its unique genders, case endings, and challenging verbs of motion. McWhorter warns against oversimplifying this rich language. He also discusses the dangers of equating linguistic complexity with cognitive superiority and critiques the tendency to rank languages by grammar. Personal anecdotes round out the conversation, reinforcing the nuances of language and thought.

Raise a glass to browned bread ... now you're toast! Visit Lexicon Valley. A Booksmart Studios production. Episode 286: "A Toast to Toast." With Bob Garfield and Mike Vuolo. Edited by Mike Vuolo. Produced by Livia Bloom Ingram. All rights reserved. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Oxford English Dictionary editor Fiona McPherson talks to Mike Vuolo about the terms that caught her attention in 2025. Visit Lexicon Valley. A Booksmart Studios production. Episode 285: "All the Rage Bait." With Fiona McPherson and Mike Vuolo. Edited by Mike Vuolo. All rights reserved. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices