Skip to main content

Up Next

How Do Clichés Evolve into Memes?

How Do Clichés Evolve into Memes?

Season 2 Episode 2
6:19
A Controversial Theory About Gossip

A Controversial Theory About Gossip

Season 2 Episode 5
7:24
Foreign Words We Need in English

Foreign Words We Need in English

Season 2 Episode 6
7:00
Is Bilingualism a Superpower?

Is Bilingualism a Superpower?

Season 2 Episode 7
9:41
The Stories Behind Food Names

The Stories Behind Food Names

Season 2 Episode 8
7:46
Literally No One Likes a Grammar Cop

Literally No One Likes a Grammar Cop

Season 2 Episode 9
8:57
Why Sign Language Was Banned in America

Why Sign Language Was Banned in America

Season 2 Episode 10
12:13
How Brands Ruin Slang

How Brands Ruin Slang

Season 3 Episode 1
8:01
Is "R" a Vowel?

Is "R" a Vowel?

Season 3 Episode 2
6:41
Back to Show
Otherwords

Is Swearing Good for Your Brain?

Season 2 Episode 1

Does swearing get a bad rap? There's evidence that the shouting obscenities has an evolutionary purpose... and may be good for your psyche!

Only Available with Passport Starting
Support Provided By
Season
Popular Word Origins That Are Totally Wrong
7:03
What are folk etymologies?
Is Social Media Censorship Unaliving Language?
7:21
Is TikTok ruining language?
The Mysterious Origins of Abracadabra and Other Magic Words
7:21
Are there 'magic' words?
Is Bluey Giving Your Kid Australian Accent
6:21
Children are sponges for language acquisition. Which leads us to ask the question: how much does TV
Is English a Creole?
6:51
We already know that English borrows from everybody, but can it be considered a Creole language?
A Brief History of the Reading Wars?
8:35
How do you teach children to read? This question is at the heart of a decades-long battle.
Why Is English Awash in Sailors Jargon?
8:11
The English language is chock full of sailing jargon but why is that?
Is Body Language Really A Language?
8:58
How do we communicate without words? With our bodies. Body language!
How Cult Leaders Use Language
10:58
What is the best tool for cult leaders to control other people? It’s the power of language.
Why Do Some Names Fall Out of Fashion
7:14
Headlines have sprung up all over declaring that the Southern American dialect is on its way out.
Why Do We Use Cringey Words for Loved Ones?
9:11
Why do we use such unusual words for the people we love?
Is the Southern Accent Disappearing?
7:33
Let’s dig deep and find out why certain names simply fall out of fashion.
Active loading indicator