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Artwork for That's What They Say

That's What They Say

Anne Curzan, Rebecca Hector
Language Evolution
English Language
Language
University Of Michigan
Grammar
All Right
English
Etymology
Double Possessive
Spelling Variations
Possession
Training
Slang
Narrative Identity
Ghosting
Gerunds
Back and Forth
Forth and Back
Bookworm
Merriam-Webster

Funner, snuck, and LOL are all things that we're hearing people say these days.That's What They Say is a weekly segment on Michigan Public that explores our changing language. University of Michigan English Professor Anne Curzan studies linguistics and the history of the English language. Each week she'll discuss why we say what we say with Michigan Public All Things Considered host Rebecca Hector... more

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes32Founded13 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
Society & CultureEducationLanguage Learning

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Artwork for That's What They Say

Latest Episodes

The Declaration of Independence could readily have been the Declaration of Independency.

We can be bereaved, we can be bereft, and sometimes we can be both bereaved and bereft.

There are a few different ways to be wonky, some of which are positive and some of which, not so much.

The way some people use "resonate" doesn't resonate with all of our listeners.

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Recent Guests

Anne Curzan
English professor at the University of Michigan and author
University of Michigan
Episode: TWTS: Yeah, we need to talk about "yay"

Host

Rebecca Hector
Host of a segment exploring changing language with a focus on education and cultural expressions.

Reviews

4.9 out of 5 stars from 186 ratings
  • Exact same

    Love the show! I often find myself saying, “yes!” to a question someone asks that I could have asked!My puzzlement is about why people say “exact same” instead of just using one or the other to pinpoint the exact same thing!! Thank you!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    dewell!
    United States4 months ago
  • Kiddo- makes me cringe

    You used the word in your piece- “ Kiddo” strikes me as condescending; I truly wish it would go away!

    I’m a retired first grade teacher, and I’ve witnessed the rise in its usage among parents as well as colleagues.

    I hope it’s a fad in our language that eventually fades!

    Love your podcast.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Nan Lee Bee
    United States9 months ago
  • ITS CALLED A NATURE STRIP IN AUSTRALIA!

    Podcast Addict
    5
    Foundations531
    a year ago
  • It’s Oscar Season!

    Why do all the Hollywood celebrities use the torturous phrase “I’m appreciative of” instead of “I appreciate” when thanking all the little people during an Oscar acceptance speech?

    This reminds me of another passively torturous phrase, “you are so missed”, in place of “we miss you.” I wonder why people adopt such affected phrasing…

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    EconoPNW
    United States3 years ago
  • I really appreciate this podcast

    I’ve been listening to this podcast for a while now, and wanted to tell the hosts how much I appreciate this program and that there definitely are people like me. I’m not a native English speaker, so whatever word or expression you introduce gives me such a good opportunity to learn something new about English. I’ll keep listening to this podcast for as long as it continues. Thanks for your hardworking!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    ももひき小次郎
    Japan3 years ago

Listeners Say

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

Listeners appreciate the engaging discussions on language evolution and usage, often sharing personal connections to the topics covered.
Some listeners desire longer segments or deeper dives into topics without sacrificing clarity.
The approachable format and expertise of the hosts are frequently highlighted as strengths of the content.

Chart Rankings

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Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

TWTS: Bereft or just lacking?
Q: Tom asks if bereft and bereaved are on the rise and what their origins are, especially in current usage.
Anne explains the etymology going back to Old English, the shift in definitions over centuries, and how contemporary usage often blends the two, with bereft frequently describing lack or deprivation of non-tangible things, while bereaved remains tied more strictly to death-related loss.
TWTS: A recurring question can reoccur
Q: Is it better style to use recur than reoccur?
Some people believe using 'recur' is safer due to its versatile meaning and to avoid irritating language purists.
TWTS: Smack dab in the middle, give or take a little
Q: What does it mean if you say something is smack dab near?
It means it's about as close as you can possibly get without being exactly there, serving as a more emphatic term for proximity.
TWTS: Here's what's up with "up"
Q: Why do we include up when it isn't really needed?
Using "up" adds nuances and implies a sense of completion or emphasis, which are important in communication.
TWTS: "Peak" felt fine until it was "peaked"
Q: How did peaked come to mean sick or queasy?
The term peaked derives its meaning from the history of the verb 'to peak', indicating a deterioration in health and spirits, referenced in literature since the 1500s.

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Frequently Asked Questions About That's What They Say

What is That's What They Say about and what kind of topics does it cover?

The content investigates the evolving nature of the English language, focusing on contemporary usage, idioms, and expressions. By engaging with listener questions and exploring notable changes in meaning, the hosts analyze various linguistic phenomena, including idioms, word origins, and cultural influences. Listeners can expect intriguing discussions that connect historical language shifts to current trends, emphasizing the joy and complexity of language. The approachable format, combined with the expertise of linguistics professor Anne Curzan, makes it accessible to both language enthusiasts and casual listeners alike.

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1. Science Friday
2. Short Wave
3. Throughline
4. Clear+Vivid with Alan Alda
5. Fresh Air

How many episodes of That's What They Say are there?

That's What They Say launched 13 years ago and published 32 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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1. Anne Curzan

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