Reviews
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“John McWorter is one of those rare professors who is a world expert in his field, knows how to combine wit with specialist knowledge, and has a pleasant voice to listen to. I recommend this podcast to anyone with even a vague interest in language(s).”
Bilas Peles via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
01/13/24
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“Used to listen to lexicon valley under Slate a few years back, and I just dig this podcast.”
Son of Star via Apple Podcasts ·
Norway ·
11/07/23
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“I have loved John McWhorter’s books and am sad that I have only JUST learned about this podcast…but I relish being able to go back through its archives! Prof. McWhorter makes his subject such a joy to learn about, and his broad breadth of knowledge about so MANY languages gives the listener such...”Read full review »
Xbound24 via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
08/07/23
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“Love your voice, John!”
J_Live215 via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
06/09/23
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“He’s changed me from a petty prescriptivist to someone who appreciates a changing landscape. Not only is his pretty much the only calm voice of reason on what we(‘re allowed to) say and why, but his delivery is effectively calming. I listen to this when I need meditation and want validation....”Read full review »
Lenticular Thoughts via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
02/07/23
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“Regarding the Past Master episode, my grandmother ( of white German heritage ) did the same thing with birthday cards for me addressing them to Master Kevin that John mentioned. Crazy how some woke word police think they are doing something useful.”
Kevtao via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
02/06/23
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“Articulate, precise, easy on the ears.”
C7427 via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
01/09/23
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“As long as he stays off politics, I could listen to McWhorter all day. Thoughtful, interesting, articulate and musical.”
Leyzer eynikl via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
12/08/22
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“Most academic podcast’s leave you with a very bad taste in your mouth in regards to their political leanings, but in the case of this podcast I have no clue as to the host’s leanings. It is so nice to just learn without being bombarded by the host’s biases. I wish more academics would teach this...”Read full review »
John VerValen via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
10/19/22
“Started listening day one with Garfield and Vuolo on Slate. I listen to too many podcasts, but I’ve got complete coverage on very few. Too many people producing too much “content” for me to keep up, but I’ve never missed a Lexicon Valley. That’s as good an endorsement as I can give.”
Exxel1701 via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
10/18/22
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“…from reading his column and his many books that are challenging and provocative, especially to us progressives. For myself, what is wildly entertaining about Prof. McWhorter is his amazing and eclectic taste in music, which he shares generously with his audience. I learn as much about historical...”Read full review »
Doxma33 via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
09/30/22
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“Disagree with him as much as I do, J McW is a genius and this podcast is a dose of enlightenment. The most respectable descriptivist I have heard.”
7846432196380421 via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
08/19/22
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“His politics are shallow and deeply silly, but as long as he sticks to his *actual* expertise of linguistics, this show is great.”
Pep_in_her_step via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
08/01/22
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“Florence from Dry Cleaning woke me up to this pod and so thanks to her I’m here and what a pleasure it is.”
realmojo90 via Apple Podcasts ·
Great Britain ·
07/03/22
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“An excellent podcast, always very interesting.”
dldnh via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
06/26/22
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“I think I started on a trippy episode! 😂 I started on the history of the letter C. Very fascinating and makes sense. I studied history and Spanish in college so a lot of this tracks, but good lord! Had no idea how crazy it was! Regardless, crazy or simple, extremely fascinating and totally...”Read full review »
KingRita via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
06/20/22
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“I could listen to John McWhorter all day”
Hopeless App748:8:8:8 via Apple Podcasts ·
Australia ·
06/20/22
“McWhorter is one of the world’s great thinkers. His NYT pieces are great reads, but his warmth and personality really come though best in this podcast.
It’s great even if you’re only a lowly monolingual speaker!”
jameskachan via Apple Podcasts ·
Canada ·
05/21/22
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“Love it!”
Uncle Carl Vreeland via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
05/21/22
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“We admire your bravery. You are excellent. All the best people are cancelled now.”
RespectDifferentViews via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
05/14/22
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“I love this podcast; it is a perfect combination fun and educational, and John McWhorter is always entertaining as well as enlightening.
Off topic, I just read that NYC Mayor Adams is mandating phonics programs for kids in public schools. It sounds like moms really pushed for this change and...”Read full review »
cowbjdfwibibdeSmitty via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
05/14/22
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“Come on”
JamesIn10003 via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
05/13/22
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“John McWhorter is pensive, yet light and cheerful. Incredibly tuned in to know how to deliver material that is controversial. He is polite, funny, insightful, and of course wildly brilliant. Just simply the perfect host! His engaging topics (which are thankfully more current events...”Read full review »
junior chomsky via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
03/20/22
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“John McWhorter is absolutely fantastic as the host of my favorite podcast ever. His laid back style, smooth delivery and focus on real life examples are what I love. He’s not afraid of getting into the details that others tend to avoid and that’s where the best parts are. I was a huge fan of the...”Read full review »
EyePhoneJunkie via Apple Podcasts ·
Canada ·
03/16/22
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“John McWhorter has a way of breaking down complex topics to simplify them for consumption by all. I love reading his columns so listening to him further explain and teach is even more fantastic. A wonderful podcast all-around!”
Chel811 via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
03/07/22
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“Each episode is a learning gem. So many things that I have never noticed. It’s always fun”
frustrsted!!!!!!! via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
02/26/22
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“I just can’t get enough of this show. Thank you so much for making it.”
Jos Paul via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
01/21/22
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“I started listening to Lexicon Valley about a year ago, and have listened to ALL the episodes, from the show's beginnings at Slate, with Mike Vuolo and Bob Garfield presenting, through John McWhorter's long time presenting it at Slate, and its current new incarnation at Booksmart Studios....”Read full review »
BookjunkieCPT via Apple Podcasts ·
South Africa ·
12/10/21
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“Sending a signal to the marketplace: I would much rather listen to John McWhorter read ten minutes of ads in a 40 min podcast than deal with the paywall situation that seems to have descended over this wonderful podcast of late- not because this show or Booksmart Productions don’t deserve it, ...”Read full review »
CermakJack via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
12/08/21
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“Excellent podcast, I learn something new with each episode. Bonus to the music selections played in each show, good stuff.”
mysterytramp via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
11/14/21
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“Was listening to this when he was on Slate and was wondering what happened to the podcast—so glad it’s back on here!”
ninatothenines via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
11/11/21
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“I loved this show on it’s previous network, it’s wonderful to find that my favourite show exists in a new place, because I was really sad to see it go!”
The--Queen via Apple Podcasts ·
Canada ·
11/03/21
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“Classic lexicon valley gold”
notnownotnow via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
10/27/21
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“First, I’ve listened to every Lexicon Valley episode since Mike Vuolo and Bob Garfield were doing them. John McWhorter took it to a deeper valley, and I loved every episode (frankness: I also love his musical selections, but his “language voices” sometimes mask the words. I have no idea what he...”Read full review »
Kilio’opu via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
10/25/21
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“My mom grew up in Yeadon, PA so the Philly accent is, to me too, like a warm blueberry muffin. My aunts still say “alt” for out and “alch” for ouch.”
SaltySpeget via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
10/25/21
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“Lexicon valley and John McWhorter find great easy to follow routes into understanding our past, present and future and how it relates to the way we and other humans use sounds to communicate. I have learned so much and continue to find out relevant facts that make me appreciate my humanity and...”Read full review »
Shyam13 via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
10/19/21
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“McWhorter is the best--every episode is brimming with intresting lessons and insights. Constantly refreshing my feed waiting for the next episode to drop.”
brontel_muskel via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
10/16/21
“Great to see you again in a new, but not too different format John! Where else would a Broadway skeptic get a fix of the great and weird tunes of the whole of recorded musical history AND learn about linguistics that apply to current social events! _now_ can I get my episode about Afrikaans...”Read full review »
Keith Duddy via Apple Podcasts ·
Australia ·
10/16/21
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“I am a huge podcast fan from Maron to Joey Diaz to Nicole Byer to Andy Kindler. My current fave is not hosted by a comic, but rather a linguist. John McWhorter’s Lexicon Valley is intellectually stimulating and very funny every time. Thanks John. Keep the show tunes playing!”
WestsideJeff via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
10/16/21
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“Mr. McWhorter is like a quirky old friend at this point, after all these years of the old Lexicon Valley, and all his appearances on other podcasts. His idiosyncratic approach makes this podcast feel laid back and friendly, even when the subject matter turns toward topics that may be “triggering”...”Read full review »
eric bergkvist via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
10/15/21
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“I’ve been enjoying Lexicon Valley for a longtime. I’m still catching up on the old episodes. This new version is an interesting reboot, but it feels more like a spin-off. I like it.”
Sci fi Reagan_84 via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
10/10/21
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“John McWhorter is interesting, suprising, super smart, personable, quirky and amusing. I liked his Slate podcast and I am looking forward to hearing how it develops on this new platform. I will never buy Booksmart plus but I did try peach jello and I did update the horrible iTunes software just...”Read full review »
Podcast Addict2 via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
09/20/21
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“Perfect podcast to listen to on my work commutes that’s equally entertaining and informative.”
The Cinema Outlaw via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
09/08/21
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“John McWhorter Is God! Great podcast etc. I miss the length and songs of the previous incarnation but understand the practical issues involved. Love NYT essays as well.”
Phillip Johnston via Apple Podcasts ·
Australia ·
09/08/21
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“This is the kind of quirky, fun, interesting, and expertly put together podcast that I very much look forward to every 15 days. Since the days of Bob Garfield and Mike Vuolo, this podcast has just gotten better and better. Welcome to the new platform!”
Mobjack11 via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
09/04/21
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“I’m glad to find that Lexicon Valley still offers the same entertaining focus on language and linguistics that we have come to love. McWhorter is just fantastic!”
Frater Osmar via Apple Podcasts ·
Australia ·
08/18/21
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