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Lexicon Valley

Lexicon Valley
Language Evolution
English Language
Linguistics
Etymology
Openly Racist
Language
Proto-Indo-European
Indo-European Language Family
Civil Rights
Racism
Pronouns
Black English
Ukrainian Language
John F. Kennedy
Societal Attitudes
Angler
Fishing
Fishing Hooks
Bible
Southside

A podcast about language, with hosts Mike Vuolo, Bob Garfield and John McWhorter.

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes398Founded5 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
Society & CultureEducation

Listen to this Podcast

Artwork for Lexicon Valley

Latest Episodes

An investigation into the nuclear origins of "bang for the buck." Plus, we get buck-naked!

Visit Lexicon Valley. A Booksmart Studios Production. Episode 315: "Bang for the Buck." With Bob Garfield and Mike Vuolo. Edited and produced by Mike Vuolo. P... more

An interview with science-fiction author S.L. Huang, whose experience learning languages informed their most recent novella, ⁠⁠The Language of Liars⁠⁠.

Visit Lexicon Valley. A Booksmart Studios Production. Episode 314: "The Language of Liars." With ... more

Was Perry Como the original Mr. Nice Guy? And who again was Perry Como? Mike Vuolo and Bob Garfield explain.

Visit ⁠⁠Lexicon Valley⁠⁠. A Booksmart Studios Production. Episode 313: "No More Mr. Nice Guy." With Bob Garfield and Mike Vuolo. Edited and ... more

What does a cement mixer and a 1948 Cosmopolitan magazine article have to do with the phrase Nice Guys Finish Last? Mike Vuolo and Bob Garfield explain.

Visit Lexicon Valley. A Booksmart Studios Production. Episode 312: "Nice Guys Finish Last." With... more

Key Facts

Accepts Sponsors
Contact Information
Podcast Host
Number of Listeners
Find out how many people listen to this podcast per episode and each month.

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Recent Guests

SL Huang
Hugo Award-winning author of speculative and science fiction; MIT-educated mathematician; firearms expert and stunt performer
Author of The Language of Liars
Episode: The Language of Liars
Ben Zimmer
Linguist
Linguist, language journalist
Episode: Get One's Goat
Kristen Flynn Goodwin
Senior cybersecurity lawyer focused on threat intelligence
Microsoft
Episode: The G.O.A.T.
Stefan Fatsis
Author of Unabridged, The Thrill of and Threat to the Modern Dictionary
Author, Unabridged
Episode: How Do Words Get into the Dictionary?
Derek Guy
Writer about men's clothing at Put This On
Put This On
Episode: Derek Guy on the Language of Clothing
Fiona McPherson
Executive Editor on the New Words Team for the Oxford English Dictionary
Oxford English Dictionary
Episode: All the Rage Bait
John Koenig
Author of The Dictionary of Obscure Sorrows
Episode: The Dictionary of Obscure Sorrows
Richard Tofel
Author of Sounding the Trumpet, The Making of John F. Kennedy's Inaugural Address
ProPublica
Episode: Ask Not ...?

Hosts

Mike Vuolo
Host of Lexicon Valley; long-time presenter with a focus on language evolution and witty banter.
Bob Garfield
Co-host with a penchant for accessible linguistic explorations and lively banter.
John McWhorter
Renowned linguist contributing frequent, well-informed insights and occasional guest-host duties.

Reviews

4.8 out of 5 stars from 1k ratings
  • Holds my interest!

    This is a wonderful podcast that holds my interest. I wait for every podcast drop!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    RubyClaireX
    United States3 months ago
  • I mean like

    Shows aight. Fun words n stuff ya know?

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Eclectic Nightmare
    United States3 months ago
  • Yay Bob & Mike are finally back!

    Their humor and banter is the absolute best, I’m so, so, so happy they’ve returned. I’ve been missing their show so much when they took a hosting break 9? years ago. Yay!!!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    LanguageNerrd
    United States5 months ago
  • Overall, Solid

    Here I add my voice to those of many others who feel that this show was better during the period of time when John McWhorter was the host of the show. While it’s technically true that this show is “about language,” it’s more accurate to say that this show is about etymology; at least, that’s the focus of its current hosts. The show was indeed more about language itself when Professor McWhorter was the full-time host. McWhorter sometimes incorporated etymology into his episodes, but he mostly tal... more

    Apple Podcasts
    3
    Kekoapono
    United States5 months ago
  • Bring McWhorter back

    Ever since the two idiotic babble-makers cane back on the scene this show sux! Literally, WTF!?

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    mikeyivan
    United States6 months ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Many miss John McWhorter's full-time hosting and his etymology-driven episodes.
The show is valued for accessible yet rigorous language analysis; some prefer more frequent McWhorter presence.
Listeners praise deep linguistic insight and engaging host chemistry.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Apple Podcasts
#243
Russia/Society & Culture

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

The Language of Liars
Q: How do you approach the concept of Sapir-Whorf in your narrative, given your skepticism about its large claims?
I deliberately step away from Sapir-Whorf's grand claims and instead use language as a tool to illustrate how different linguistic structures shape perception and communication in nuanced, human-level ways without asserting universal truths.
The Language of Liars
Q: Why did you choose to exclude humans from the story, and how does that affect the themes you wanted to explore?
Excluding humans was intentional to foreground non-human perspectives and avoid baggage, letting readers see parallels with human histories while focusing on broader questions of language oppression, belonging, and the ethics of linguistic bridge-building.
The Language of Liars
Q: Tell me a little bit more about the main character and how he fits into the book's premise.
The main character is a young academic linguist who becomes entangled with the ability to inhabit another species through linguistic empathy, serving as a conduit to explore language, culture, and ethical questions about pursuit of knowledge.
No More Mr. Nice Guy
Q: Who is Grover Parker?
Grover Parker was a bicycle shop owner in Red Bank, New Jersey during the 1930s and 1940s who was referred to as Mr. Nice Guy in local press, including a Red Bank Daily Standard columnist, cementing the nickname in the public imagination.
Get One's Goat
Q: Why do you think the Navy and boxing circles contributed to the early popularity of the expression?
Because goats were symbolically tied to mascots and mood in those communities, providing a vivid, transferable image that could be used in both literal and figurative senses, which helped spread and stabilize the phrase.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
Interests
Professions
Age Range
Household Income
Social Media Reach

Frequently Asked Questions About Lexicon Valley

What is Lexicon Valley about and what kind of topics does it cover?

A language-centered show led by a trio of hosts exploring how words, meanings, and linguistic history travel through culture. Episodes weave etymology, philology, and playful banter with deep dives into specific terms, phrases, and language phenomena, often anchored by literary references, pop culture clips, and thoughtful analyses of how meaning shifts over time. Notable strengths include rigorous linguistic detective work presented in an accessible way, a lively dynamic among longtime hosts, and a willingness to tackle both traditional etymology and contemporary usage. The format often blends historical exploration with modern examples, making it appealing to word nerds, students of language, and listeners who enjoy thoughtful, humorous d... more

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How many listeners does Lexicon Valley get?

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How many subscribers and views does Lexicon Valley have?

To see how many followers or subscribers Lexicon Valley has on Spotify and other platforms such as Castbox and Podcast Addict, simply upgrade your account. You'll also find viewership figures for their YouTube channel if they have one.

Which podcasts are similar to Lexicon Valley?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Lexicon Valley:

1. Lingthusiasm - A podcast that's enthusiastic about linguistics
2. The Glenn Show
3. The History of English Podcast
4. Freakonomics Radio
5. 99% Invisible

How many episodes of Lexicon Valley are there?

Lexicon Valley launched 5 years ago and published 398 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

How do I contact Lexicon Valley?

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What guests have appeared on Lexicon Valley?

Recent guests on Lexicon Valley include:

1. SL Huang
2. Ben Zimmer
3. Kristen Flynn Goodwin
4. Stefan Fatsis
5. Derek Guy
6. Fiona McPherson
7. John Koenig
8. Richard Tofel

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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