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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
Ukrainian Language
John F. Kennedy
Societal Attitudes
Black English
Angler
Fishing
Fishing Hooks
Bible
Southside

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

PublishesTwice monthlyEpisodes392Founded5 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
Society & CultureEducation

Listen to this Podcast

Artwork for Lexicon Valley

Latest Episodes

John McWhorter asks: What did Black New Yorkers sound like in the 1800s? Find out in this first of a two-part episode.

Visit Lexicon Valley. A Booksmart Studios Production. Episode 309: "Haut Corn!" With John McWhorter. Edited and produced by Mike V... more

A buck is a male deer. Or a dollar bill. Or a strapping lad. Or an old poker term. Are they related?

Visit Lexicon Valley. A Booksmart Studios Production. Episode 308: "A Quick Buck." With Bob Garfield and Mike Vuolo. Edited and produced by Mike Vuo... more

What does a Jane Austen novel have in common with a George Carlin routine? Biting commentary on the word nice!

Visit Lexicon Valley. A Booksmart Studios Production. Episode 307: "Nice of You to Join Us." With Bob Garfield and Mike Vuolo. Edited and ... more

Play along and guess the correct chronological order of the following phrases: Great White Hope, Great White Shark and Great White Way.

And check out our other *great* episodes:

The Amazing Great: Good is no longer good enough. Everyone is awesome,... 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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The GistPeach Fish Productions
The Ezra Klein Show
The Ezra Klein ShowNew York Times Opinion

Recent Guests

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 and lexicography expert
Author of Unabridged
Episode: Look It Up! The Story of 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 States2 months ago
  • I mean like

    Shows aight. Fun words n stuff ya know?

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Eclectic Nightmare
    United States2 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 States3 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 States4 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 States5 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.

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

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.
All the Rage Bait
Q: When do we find this new meaning being used for the first time?
The new meaning of Ragebait has been documented since about 1999, with notable increases in use reflecting online culture's evolution.
All the Rage Bait
Q: What is Ragebait?
Ragebait is online content designed to provoke feelings of anger or outrage, often to drive engagement or traffic to a web page or social media account.
The Dictionary of Obscure Sorrows
Q: Can you talk about what happened with the word Sonder and first of all, what that means?
Sonder far and away had the biggest impact of any of my words, but I had the least amount of faith in it.
The Dictionary of Obscure Sorrows
Q: Where did this impulse, this compulsion, I guess, where did it originate?
I grew up in Geneva, Switzerland, just surrounded by tons of different languages.

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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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 New Yorker Radio Hour
3. The Gist
4. The Ezra Klein Show
5. The History of English Podcast

How many episodes of Lexicon Valley are there?

Lexicon Valley launched 5 years ago and published 392 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. Ben Zimmer
2. Kristen Flynn Goodwin
3. Stefan Fatsis
4. Derek Guy
5. Fiona McPherson
6. John Koenig
7. 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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