Is there such a thing as a "neutral" accent, and if so what does it sound like? And that quirk in the way Southern Californians talk about freeways. They'll say things like Take the 405 North and Get on the 8 and head east. But why the definite article? Plus, those Little Free Libraries stocked with books have inspired another kind of giving: little free pantries filled with canned foods for anyone in need. They're also called blessing boxes. Also, Kabelsalat, vigesimal, a take-off puzzle, red rag, s’occuper de ses oignons, a holiday left on a wall, snake's honeymoon, powdered it, throwing smoke, and why married couples may persist in calling each other Mother and Father long after their children are grown.
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The weekly program features light-hearted conversation about language change, debates, and differences, as well as new words, old sayings, slang, family expressions, word histories, etymology, linguistics, regional dialects, word games, grammar, books, literature, writing, and more.

Listeners of all backgrounds join author/journalist Martha Barnette and linguist/lexicographer Grant Barrett on the show with their language thoughts, questions, and stories.