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A Way with Words - language, linguistics, and callers from all over

Tennessee Top Hat - 19 October 2015

A Way with Words - language, linguistics, and callers from all over

A Way with Words

Language Learning, Society & Culture, Education

4.6 • 2.3K Ratings

🗓️ 19 October 2015

⏱️ 52 minutes

🧾️ Download transcript

Summary

It’s hard enough to get a new word into the dictionary. But what happens when lawmakers get involved? New Jersey legislators passed a resolution as part of an anti-bullying campaign urging dictionary companies to adopt the word upstander. It means “the opposite of bystander.” But will it stick? And: 18th-century abolitionist Sojourner Truth was born in New York State, but for most of her childhood, she spoke only Dutch. There’s a good reason for that. Plus, practical tips for learning to converse in any foreign language: Think of it like an exercise program, and work out with a buddy. Also, rhyming slang, “kick the bucket,” “behind God’s back,” world-beaters, Twitter canoes, a slew of slang terms for that yep-nope hairstyle, the mullet. Read full show notes, hear hundreds of free episodes, send your thoughts and questions, and learn more on the A Way with Words website: https://waywordradio.org/contact. Be a part of the show: call 1 (877) 929-9673 toll-free in the United States and Canada; worldwide, call or text/SMS +1 (619) 800-4443. Email words@waywordradio.org. Twitter @wayword. Copyright Wayword, Inc., a 501(c)(3) corporation. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Transcript

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0:00.0

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0:30.6

you're listening to a way with words the show about language and how we use it.

0:34.0

I'm Grant Barrett.

0:35.0

And I'm Martha Barnett.

0:36.0

Grant, as a lexicographer, as a dictionary editor, you know that people are forever sending

0:41.8

words to the dictionary that they would like to be included.

0:45.6

Yes, yes they are.

0:47.6

And their chances are usually...

0:49.6

Not so great. But what if one of those words had the force of legislation behind it?

0:59.0

Oh, maybe, maybe it's it.

1:04.0

Oh yeah, opposite a bystander.

1:05.0

Yes, yes, the opposite of bystander is somebody who stands up for somebody who's being picked on.

1:10.0

Well, it turns out that in June of this year the New Jersey State Senate approved a

1:14.8

resolution urging Merriam-Webster Inc and the Oxford University press to

1:19.6

include the word upstander in their dictionaries.

1:23.0

What's their motivation for that?

...

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