Reviews
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“When someone is stupid enough to argue that interracial marriages can still be racist if they don’t hew to radical leftist anti-racism ideology, I won’t waste my time on this show any longer.”
Engineer Doug via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
04/09/24
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“I don’t even know where to begin, but Celeste Headlee is such an absurd arguer. Almost all of my positions are very liberal, and I come into every debate on Celeste’s side, but she argues them so poorly and with terrible tactics like cutting off the guests for an ad breaks but only after she gets...”Read full review »
Elbowpatched via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
02/21/24
“I have a deep interest in languages and have been enjoying John McWorters’ podcast Lexicon Valley on Booksmart Studio so was happy to find his earlier linguistic musings here as well as the archive of equally linguistically interesting older (2012 to around 2017) episodes of Lexicon Valley by a...”Read full review »
Bilas Peles via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
01/12/24
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“I agree with other reviewers that this show is ideologically narrow. The debaters basically stipulate to a leftist worldview and then debate within its confines. To me as an agnostic, it’s like listening to Christian theologians debate in every episode topics that presuppose a god (divine grace,...”Read full review »
Jerome1223 via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
12/21/23
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“Waow ! This was an outstanding exchange. Not sure it is about agreeing or disagreeing but embracing the fact that the human mind is unique and that we are creatures of nuance and contradictions that need to be handled so that we can move forward. In the US, we like black & white solutions and...”Read full review »
Tulip.be via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
11/28/23
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“Not sure what this is..it isn’t what I subscribed to..so unsubbing.”
BrandonIrvin 1 via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
08/31/23
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“Then this is the show for you. An absolutely google-free environment”
lu and ru fan via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
08/15/23
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“These aren’t true debates. The host clearly favors a certain side from the start. The host has an unfair advantage at steering the conversation compared to the guests. That said, a lot of the conversations show me new sides to these issues. Overall it has a r/changemymind feel to it, not a debate...”Read full review »
Pink Duck Princess via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
07/05/23
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“Let’s be honest, this show is mid at best, not particularly interesting and definitely not what it reports to be. So why am I still subscribed? I’m subscribed because at one point this show was a very interesting linguistics show, called Lexicon Valley. And they still have the backlog of episodes...”Read full review »
Losasta via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
06/20/23
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“Instead, you have "debates." Or, more specially, milquetoast perspectives by people you, as a Slate listener, will likely agree with. The host does little in the way of providing counter arguments or remotely insightful questions. It's a snoozefest.”Read full review »
A Calendar Enthusiasr via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
06/17/23
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“This is not really a show where people debate. The episodes I’ve heard are two people on the left parsing out what the best leftist position would be. Listening to the newest ep on DEI is just an interview. There is no pushback.”
you don't know who I am via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
05/16/23
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Maddy81 via Apple Podcasts ·
New Zealand ·
04/04/23
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“I want to like it. I love linguistics, but I can’t. Too political. I would rate 4 or 5 stars if John Mcwhorter were back. Go to lexicon valley.”
JeffersonStatePatriot via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
10/31/22
“They’re just unavailable, but why?)”
epurnova1996 via Apple Podcasts ·
Russia ·
05/07/22
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“I’m enjoying the new hosts and format. I’m learning a lot about linguistics and then getting to have a little fun with the games at the end.”
mrsbagnet via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
02/01/22
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“The “play” brings it down from 5 to 3 stars. Be confident enough in your first two segments, commentary and interview, to make that the whole show.”
HTR4444 via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
12/29/21
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“Sadly the new presenters aren’t able to match John McWhorter’s intellectual depth or style. I don’t want to listen to two vapid American journalists marvelling over the fact that omicron is a letter of the Ancient Greek alphabet and that different people pronounce it in slightly different ways.”
angstriddenhipster via Apple Podcasts ·
Great Britain ·
12/21/21
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“On a podcast about words and language and how they matter, was disappointed with the use of normative language around neurodiversity (e.g. “neuro-atypical”, referring to people as “normal” in comparison to a neurodiverse person) on the 11/10/2021 episode.”
Solre Lami via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
11/10/21
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“I think I gave this a fair chance, but it is so uninteresting. Episodes that are nothing but half-hour advertisements, quizzes that are targeted at guests and not listeners (are we really expected to know what year songs were released?), and just generally dull. How can you make talking about...”Read full review »
coasterbear via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
11/02/21
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“Latino is already the neuter gender”
Pete Trg via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
10/26/21
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“This podcast is a good addition to the Slate Slate. I find myself listening to it once a month. It has one focus for those who are fans of word games and puzzles.”
Kilio’opu via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
10/25/21
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“It’s nice to hear the new host tryout different formats and segments. Good energy! As is, it sounds to me a bit too much like a academic workshop-roundtable: chummy and lively, but not really for outsiders. Needs more detailed explanations or at least less speed through jargon terms if you want a...”Read full review »
andyparfait via Apple Podcasts ·
Canada ·
10/22/21
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“I was delighted to hear a coverage of Korean language, but the pronunciation of almost every vowels were bastardized by the hosts. Instead of trying to do the bare minimum of comparing their sound against the show’s speaker, they decided to read them as if they are reading English words. For...”Read full review »
Self proclaimed app expert via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
10/17/21
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“There are 5+ years of excellent archives of Lexicon Valley from when it was hosted by Bob Garfield/Mike Vuolo and then the brilliant John McWhorter. Go straight to the archives and skip the lackluster “spectacular vernacular” rebrand. The reboot seems to be a result of the talent leaving to make...”Read full review »
brontel_muskel via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
09/03/21
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“I love the new direction the show has taken. The hosts are personable and engaging. They are a breath of fresh air. It’s time for linguistics to come out of the Dark Ages with new and younger talent with fresh perspectives.”
ling4theculture via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
09/02/21
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“Smart takes grounded in contemporary academic linguistics while still being fun and light.”
SiFiBa via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
08/31/21
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“I absolutely love the changes to this podcast. The new hosts are clearly incredibly well-informed but without any stuffiness. I’ve learned something from every episode and I particularly like playing along with the language games. Two thumbs up, thanks for the fantastic podcast!”
kbmcgowan via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
08/31/21
“This podcast feed was previously John McWhorter’s “Lexicon Valley”, which is no longer carried by Slate. But all of his old episodes until recently are still on this feed, and I recommend digging past the recent “Spectacular Vernacular” episodes and listening to John’s, then subscribing to his...”Read full review »
CermakJack via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
08/31/21
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“I have to say that I LOVE the podcast the way it is now, totally refreshed from the previous iteration with that other guy. The new hosts are great, and I particularly enjoy Dr. Nicole Holliday's fun personality and really thoughtful and informed takes on the different topics they cover. Plus...”Read full review »
KF in DC via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
08/30/21
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“A fascinating podcast on a range of language issues, accessible to those unfamiliar with the field yet interesting for professional linguists as well.”
msulinguist via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
08/30/21
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“Nicole Holliday has been a guest on so many of my favorite linguistics podcasts that it’s about time she got her own! Even though linguistic superstar, Ben Zimmer, and Nicole just got started, the show is off to a brilliant start. Kudos to both of them!”
purrfekt via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
08/30/21
“If you enjoy linguistics or are just curious about the oddities and history of the English language, hosts Nicole Holliday and Ben Zimmer and their guests do a fantastic job of sharing cool information that will enlighten and amuse you. And, they even have cool word games you can play along with...”Read full review »
brucery via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
08/30/21
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“Nicole Halliday and Ben Zimmer are delightful (and highly qualified) co-hosts, and this podcast has something to offer for amateur language lovers and professional linguists alike. It looks like Slate switched out the podcast in this feed without warning, which understandably upset some...”Read full review »
lwolter via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
08/30/21
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“Speaking as a linguist, Spectacular Vernacular is the best language-oriented podcast out there. Its hosts are eminently qualified and bring to bear up-to-date scholarship and keen insight on the language issues of our time. They are also fun to listen to. I’m not a big fan of the language game at...”Read full review »
DMort27 via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
08/29/21
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“Ben and Nicole are super. News, guests, wordplay, and above all, linguistic expertise. Spectacular Vernacular has become one of my don’t-miss linguistic podcasts.”
Good Reason via Apple Podcasts ·
Australia ·
08/29/21
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“As a linguist and podcast enthusiast, I gave Lexicon Valley a wide WIDE berth due to McWhorter’s politics and really disappointing misinformation spread concerning linguistics. BUT the absolute joy I feel having Spectacular Vernacular to listen to now? Unmatched. Ben and Nicole are both highly...”Read full review »
Kachokie via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
08/29/21
“I'm really loving this podcast - I know very little about language or linguistics, yet the hosts make learning about these topics seem accessible and fun. I also really enjoy the word games/puzzles that they are doing with listeners. This is one podcast I try to listen to as soon as the new...”Read full review »
achmorrison via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
08/29/21
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“Outstanding hosts who deal with all sorts of linguistic things. Probably the best language pod ever in the world.”
Max Edison via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
08/29/21
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“a lighthearted but substantive podcast delving into language-related topics. The new hosts bring with them excellent, complementary qualifications: Zimmer is a language columnist and regular composer of NYT crosswords, while Holliday is a researcher and professor who obtained her PhD at one of...”Read full review »
dialect jen via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
08/29/21
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“A must for word freaks, extremely entertaining and informative even if your relationship with language is a distant, troubled one. I always look forward to the next episode.”
Berton in the Palisades via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
08/29/21
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“As a former listener of Lexicon Valley I was impressed by the level of discipline put into each episode of Spectacular Vernacular and the deep cuts for relevant guests. Keeping a light hearted atmosphere helps me to enjoy the podcast at all times of the day during my daily routine. I’m excited to...”Read full review »
JTillman_ via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
08/29/21
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“It may be a relatively new show, but Nicole and Ben seem like they’ve been doing this for years! Their love of language and expertise shine through in every segment and interview that they do, and they do a fantastic job distilling their linguistic background into information the average listener...”Read full review »
Blappo via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
08/29/21
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“I initially subscribed because as a linguistics nerd I’ve loved and followed Nicole Holliday’s work on Twitter. This podcast is the perfect blend of pop culture, linguistic nerd insights, and the fun word games I’ve loved from the NPR Sunday puzzle.”
alkmcc via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
08/29/21
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“As a linguistics professor, I have been following Holliday and Zimmer for years. I am so thankful for their expertise and love the exuberance they exude when talking about language.”
hmLPA via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
08/29/21
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“Holliday and Zimmer are deeply knowledgable about the topics and their presentation is entertaining.”
Brett Reynolds via Apple Podcasts ·
Canada ·
08/29/21
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“The new show with Nicole & Ben is wonderful—a great mix of knowledgeable and academically informed discussion and fun word games. It’s great to have their thoughtful and progressive voices in this space.”
AvenSarah via Apple Podcasts ·
Canada ·
08/29/21
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“Really liked the podcast when John was he host. All the sudden he is not the host without any explanation. Thought maybe he was taking a short break. You are being quite disingenuous taking his success and ratings as your own. Why not use a new platform? Fortunately found Lexicon Valley with new...”Read full review »
ardilla volando via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
08/23/21
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“I am incredibly annoyed that the Lexicon Valley feed has been replaced with another podcast. It’s disingenuous and underhanded, and any inclination I may have previously had to listen to this new podcast has been killed. Do not pay attention to the four star rating. This is not John McWhorter’s...”Read full review »
PerspicacticPariah via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
08/12/21
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“Don’t scam the old feed when you cancel a show.”
shotsy via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
08/10/21
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