English Language

Linguist Geoff Nunberg looks at why some words are considered off-limits.

Linguist Geoff Nunberg considers the differences between American and British English.

Geoff Nunberg discusses the term "fascist."

Nunberg talks about idiomatic expressions like "on the up and up." What does it mean when people interpret these sayings differently?

Nunberg talks about terms used in racial classification, such as Caucasian.

Linguist Geoff Nunberg considers dictionaries today and yesterday.

Linguist Geoff Nunberg. He discusses the origins of the term, "slippery slope."

Linguist Geoff Nunberg on acronyms.

Linguist Geoff Nunberg on cultures that are missing words. The Oxford dictionary of quotations published its list of the top sayings of 2002. George W. Bush was quoted as saying to Tony Blair, "The problem with the French is that they have no word for entrepreneur." The British Prime minister denied that Bush said it, but the story is plausible because people are always saying similar things about other cultures.

Linguist Geoff Nunberg on the stylistic differences between writers on the political left and right.

Linguist Geoff Nunberg on the language wars.

Linguist Geoff Nunberg considers the way politicians and journalists are pronouncing place names associated with the war on Iraq.

Linguist Geoff Nunberg considers the word "appeasement," which is being used in the debate about the war in Iraq. The word doesn't have favorable connotations.

Linguist Geoff Nunberg comments on the increased usage of the adjective "gallic." He says it's like a shorthand for "the French are at it again."

Linguist Geoff Nunberg considers the phrase “class-warfare.”

Linguist Geoff Nunberg on the evolution of the meaning of the word "plastics."

Linguist Geoff Nunberg on the way the words of courtship are showing up on the newspaper business pages.

Linguist Geoff Nunberg talks about presidents and language, and the pronunciation of nuclear as "nucular," a mispronunciation that dates all the way back to the era of Eisenhower. The underlying cognitive causes and social implications are considered.

Linguist Geoff Nunberg on the use of the word 'regime.'

Linguist Geoff Nunberg considers the effect of Sept. 11 on our language.