Lexicon Valley

Lexicon Valley started at Slate in 2012 and went through a major transformation when Columbia University linguist John McWhorter took the helm. McWhorter brings a distinctive voice to the show -- he's an academic who speaks plainly, has strong opinions, and isn't afraid to challenge conventional thinking about grammar and usage. Episodes tend to run 20 to 40 minutes and cover everything from the history of specific words to broader questions about how languages evolve. Why does English spelling make no sense? How did African American Vernacular English develop its own complex grammar? What's actually happening when a word changes meaning over decades? McWhorter tackles these questions with a mix of scholarly depth and genuine storytelling skill. The show has 297 episodes now and holds a 4.8-star rating from 561 reviews. He occasionally brings in co-hosts Mike Vuolo and Bob Garfield from the show's earlier era for different perspectives. What makes Lexicon Valley stand apart from other linguistics podcasts is McWhorter's willingness to be opinionated. He doesn't just describe how language changes -- he argues about it, makes a case, and invites you to disagree. That makes for much more engaging listening than a straightforward lecture. New episodes land biweekly, and the back catalog is substantial enough to keep you busy for months.