The Word Nerds

Summary: A podcast about words, language, and why we say the things we do

Podcasts:

Ambiguity (105) | File Type: audio/mpeg | Duration: 0:41:03

Ambiguity: Barbara Shepherd and Dave Shepherd try very hard to figure out exactly what each other means, as they explore the topic of ambiguity. Thanks to Paul L., Smaran D., Mary M., Michelle M., Dolores B., and Peter D. for PayPal donations (1:52) Emails from Paul L., Adam R., Maria C., and Anne J. Also, Evan Stone, who composed and played our closing theme music, played in Beijing for the Olympic marathon. (2:53) Ambiguity defined: “Capability of being understood in two or more ways; double or dubious signification, ambiguousness.” Synonyms of ambiguous: enigmatic, equivocal, indeterminate, obscure, vague, unintelligible, dubious, double-entendre, ambivalent, uncertain (8:34) Structural ambiguity: syntactic ambiguity, lexical ambiguity, and misinterpretation (such as mondegreens) (12:53) Music bumper from “Whatever Stupid” by Ben Thomas (18:20) Intentional ambiguity (19:11) Song: “Whatever” by Natalie (25:21) Rude Word of the Week: “whatever” (29:14) Music bumper from “Telepop” by The Jerrys. (32:36) Amusing intentional ambiguities: double entendres, jokes for adults buried in children’s shows (as done by Soupy Sales), and the mighty Groucho Marx (33:23) Music courtesy of The Podsafe Music Network and Ioda Promonet Theme music by Kick the Cat Closing theme from “Grapes” by Evan Stone time: 41:03 size: 37.6 Mb rating: PG (Our song has a rude word for “poop,” and we talk about sexual double-entendres.) Ben Thomas “Whatever Stupid” (mp3) from “The Mystagogue” (Origin Records) Buy at iTunes Music Store Buy at eMusic Buy at Napster Buy at Rhapsody Buy at Amazon More On This Album Natalie “Whatever” (mp3) from “Rock Me” (Bright Pink Music) Buy at iTunes Music Store Buy at eMusic Buy at Rhapsody Buy at Napster Buy at Amazon More On This Album [ viagra canda | how much is viagra | when do i take viagra | herbal viagra reviews | viagra how it works | cialis next day delivery | brand name cialis overnight | online pharmacy cialis | viagra from mexico | online pharmacy cialis | viagra stories | cost of cialis | female viagra pills | viagra substitute | active ingredient in viagra | viagra recipe | cheapest viagra in uk | cialis professional no prescription | adverse side effects of viagra | pfizer viagra 50 mg online | viagra dose | cialis cheap | young men taking viagra | pfizer female viagra | best way to use cialis | viagra canada | effect of cialis on women | uk deals cheap viagra | sildenafil citrate | us cialis | viagra australia | cialis for women | cialis compare levitra viagra | cialis professional | viagra online pharmacy | effects of viagra | how much cialis | buy generic viagra | natural viagra | viagra free trial pack | no prescription viagra | cheap robert.up2.co.il viagra | buy viagra china | drug viagra | order viagra | lowest price viagra | best herbal viagra | cialis without prescription | types of viagra | female version viagra | buy in vancouver viagra | viagra store in canada | natural viagra | viagra sale ]

Syntax (104) | File Type: audio/mpeg | Duration: 0:34:49

Syntax: This week it’s shake-up the order of sentences that Howard Shepherd and Dave Shepherd do, as explore the topic of syntax they shall. Thanks to Emma H. and Mary T. for PayPal donations (2:07) Syntax: not just word order, but sentence structure in general. Which came first, the thing or the act? (2:33) Music bumper from “Finger Food” by the Shook-Russo Quartet (11:27) Rhetorical uses of syntax (14:14) Song: “Upside-Down” by Yo La Tengo (20:07) Rude Word of the Week: “flip-flopper” (24:04) Music bumper from “Tell Me a Bedtime Story” by the Jay Lawrence Trio. (27:37) Syntactical variations from language to language (28:42) Music courtesy of the Ioda Promonet Theme music by Kick the Cat time: 34:49 size: 31.9 Mb rating: G (We quote from a poem about Santa Claus.) Yo La Tengo “Upside-Down” (mp3) from “Upside-Down” (Alias) Buy at eMusic Buy at Rhapsody Buy at Napster Buy at Pure Tracks Buy at Amazon The Shook-Russo Quartet “Finger Food” (mp3) from “Shook-Russo Quartet Featuring Greg Gisbert” (Summit Records) Buy at iTunes Music Store Buy at eMusic Buy at Rhapsody Buy at Napster Buy at Amazon Jay Lawrence Trio “Tell Me a Bedtime Story” (mp3) from “Thermal Strut” (OA2 Records) Buy at iTunes Music Store Buy at eMusic Buy at Napster Buy at Rhapsody Buy at Amazon [ lowest cost generic viagra | 5 mg original brand cialis | mexico pharmacy generic viagra | generic viagra blue pill 25mg | viagra | viagra free trial | sildenafil citrate 50mg | generic pack viagra | age of viagra users | viagra good morning | how to get viagra | cialis transdermal | viagra in mexico | cheap viagra | canadain viagra india | viagra and sexual performance | cheapest viagra | generic viagra canadian | viagra for cheap | lowest pill price viagra | viagra order cheap | viagra for women | prescription cialis | 100mg viagra | does generic viagra work | viagra side effects | what is better than viagra | herbal v viagra study | who makes viagra | viagra free trial | online cialis | cheap generic overnight viagra | cialis dose | cialis 20 mg | buying generic cialis mexico rx | viagra in philippines | chip cialis | buy viagra line | cialis once daily | how to get viagra | cialis en mexico | pfizer viagra 50mg | real viagra without prescription | viagra experiences | cheep viagra | viagra samples | viagra online uk | purchase viagra online | how to get cialis | cheapest viagra in uk | buying generic viagra mexico rx | female viagra alternative | viagra stamina | p2 pharmacy uk ]

Please complete our audience survey. (103A) | File Type: audio/mpeg | Duration: 0:01:58

Prosody (103) | File Type: audio/mpeg | Duration: 0:42:38

Rhetoric, part 3: Rhetoric in Famous Speeches (102) | File Type: audio/mpeg | Duration: 0:53:22

Rhetoric in Famous Speeches: Howard Shepherd and Dave Shepherd conclude their three-part series in rhetoric by presenting some examples of rhetoric and public discourse. At the time this is posted, our web site is not fully functional. It will be fixed soon, so that you can find things and make PayPal donations. (1:54) Dave and Barbara were recently featured in the Reduced Shakespeare Company’s podcast. (2:23) This show features samples of great recorded rhetoric from the 20th and 21st centuries. Our principle sources were the websites American Rhetoric and The Free Information Society. A couple of famous “mea culpa” speeches Richard Nixon’s “Checkers” speech (September 23, 1952) (5:16) Bill Clinton’s denial in the Monica Lewinsky scandal (January 26, 1998) (10:34) Calls to action/calls to arms Franklin Delano Roosevelt’s call for war against Japan (December 8, 1941) (12:25) Adolf Hitler’s declaration of war against Poland (September 1, 1939) (18:02) Winston Churchill’s first speech as Prime Minister of the United Kingdom (May 13, 1940) (21:56) Music bumper from “Grapes” by Evan Stone (24:48) Speeches at historical events John F. Kennedy in Berlin (June 26, 1963) (26:02) Ronald Reagan in Berlin (June 12, 1987) (28:31) Martin Luther King at the Lincoln Memorial–the “Dream” speech (August 28, 1963) (30:20) Song: “Speech” by LPG (35:40) Rude Word of the Week: “broken record,” featuring a broken-record argument between Chris Matthews and Kevin James on MSNBC (Video of the full exchange) (May 15, 2008) (38:01) Music bumper from “The Corner of Sacco and Vanzetti” by Shibboleth. (42:36) Extemporaneous speech: Joseph Welch versus Joseph McCarthy in the U. S. Senate (Video clip) (June 9, 1954) (45:32) Music courtesy of The Podsafe Music Network Theme music by Kick the Cat time: 53:22 size: 48.9 Mb rating: PG (Passing reference to sexual relations in our discussion of Bill Clinton) [ sildenafil citrate warnings | is viagra dangerous | viagra rx in canada | free consultation viagra | canada generic viagra | viagra buy | how much cialis | buy viagra china | cialis next day delivery | cialis levitra sales viagra | discount viagra sales online | cialis generic | buy viagra germany canadian meds | buy viagra in uk | viagra young men | viagra produced in mexico | how long does viagra last | viagra from canada | female viagra uk | canadian viagra | x cite herbal viagra for woman | buy cialis doctor online | lowest pill price viagra | viagra doses | vgx-viagra | 50 mg cialis | buy gel viagra | usa cialis | brand buy from name usa viagra | cialis no rx | viagra testimonials | how much is viagra from canada | female version of viagra | generic viagra uk supplies | viagra use | oral viagra | cheap viagra uk | cialis pharmacy generic | woman and cialis | cost of viagra | order viagra 1 | real viagra online | how do you use viagra | women who take viagra | buy viagra woman | natural viagra | brand cialis for sale | 5 mg original brand cialis | buy cheap viagra | viagra information | bruising on cialis | where to purchase viagra | cheepest cialis | canada viagra pharmacies scam ]

Games and Wordplay (101) | File Type: audio/mpeg | Duration: 0:38:59

Games and Wordplay: Barbara Shepherd and Dave Shepherd explore word games, games with words, and ways of playing with words. Dave thanks Brad and Naoko for donations, and Naoko, Ralsen, Asa, Jason and Hossein for their emails. (1:59) This show was inspired by a game published by Brad Chase, Orijinz. We play a couple of rounds. (Thanks, Brad!) (6:51) Music bumper from “Bongo Booty” by Vincent Van GoGo. (12:09) Some of our favorite games for word nerds young and old (12:47) Scrabble Boggle Taboo Scattergories Tribond Some good sources for online word games: East of the Web, Word Plays, and good old Yahoo (21:29) Song: “The Mating Game” by Bitter:Sweet (22:37) Rude Word of the Week: “nucking futs” and other rude Spoonerisms (25:57) Music bumper from “Tonight” by Zach Ashton. (29:39) Spoonerisms as wordplay, including a very rude running skit from RTL Samstag Nacht Live based on a Spoonerism (30:07) Music courtesy of The Podsafe Music Network and Ioda Promonet Theme music by Kick the Cat Closing music from “Grapes” by Evan Stone time: 38:59 size: 35.7 Mb rating: R (Our rude word is a variant of the ever-rude “F-word.” We close with reference to a German television skit that is based totally on the “F-word.”) Bitter:Sweet “The Mating Game” (mp3) from “The Mating Game” (Quango) Buy at eMusic Buy at Rhapsody Buy at Napster Stream from Rhapsody Buy at mTraks Download More On This Album [ active ingredient in viagra | buy gel viagra | cialis from mexico | cialis price 100 mg | female herbal viagra | viagra online kaufen | order usa viagra online | cialis prices | real viagra online | alternate uses for viagra | fx.blogspot.com generic viagra | how often can you take viagra | real viagra online | lowest viagra price | buy viagra in canada no prescription | viagra soft | cheapest online viagra | viagra alternative | viagra sale buy | viagra pills | buy viagra online cheap | viagra tablets | buy viagra on the internet | keeping a hardon | indian viagra | brand viagra over the net | viagra discussion | viagra and lisinopril | cialis soft canada | cialis alternatives no prescription | viagra generic canada | viagra prescriptions | pink viagra | viagra order cheap | vipps pharmacy | best way to take cialis | 5 mg cialis | buy cialis next day delivery | levitra vs viagra | viagra recipes | viagra effects on women | buy and purchase viagra online | who sells generic viagra | viagra for woman | free viagra sample | viagra price comparison | indian sildenafil citrate | viagra warnings | what if i take too much viagra | viagra good morning | cheapest viagra in the world | cialis angioplasty | rx generic viagra | viagra high blood pressure ]

Baby Talk (100) | File Type: audio/mpeg | Duration: 0:37:28

Baby Talk: Howard Chang and Dave Shepherd use their best adult vocabulary as they discuss baby talk. Dave thanks Andy, Beverley and Jianxia for their support through the PayPal donation button. (2:00) This is show #100. The recording date, March 21, is the third anniversary not only of The Word Nerds, but also of Schlaflos in München. (2:14) Thanks to Blue and Cihat for emails. (3:08) Baby talk, reflecting the circle of human life; different applications for baby talk (4:18) Music bumper from “Little Child” by Jamie Varley. (14:35) How babies learn to speak: Noam Chomsky’s theory of universal grammar (15:27) Song: “Boogie Woogie Baby” by Deanna Bogart (24:28) Rude words of the week: “baby” (28:04) Music bumper from “Court of Greedy Kings” by Val Davis. (30:25) Stories of our own first words, and our children’s first words (30:43) Music courtesy of The Podsafe Music Network and Ioda Promonet Theme music by Kick the Cat Closing music from “Grapes” by Evan Stone time: 37:28 size: 34.3 Mb rating: PG (Howard very briefly mentions sexual contexts for baby talk.) Deanna Bogart “Boogie Woogie Baby” (mp3) from “New Address” (Deanna Bogart) Buy at iTunes Music Store Buy at eMusic Buy at Napster Buy at Rhapsody Stream from Rhapsody Buy at Amazon Buy at GroupieTunes Buy at mTraks Download More On This Album Jamie Varley “Little Child” (mp3) from “You Ride” (Sota Music) Buy at iTunes Music Store Buy at eMusic Buy at Napster Buy at Rhapsody Stream from Rhapsody Buy at Amazon Buy at GroupieTunes Buy at mTraks Download More On This Album [ viagra movies | viagra generic | buy porn viagra | brand viagra over the net | vgx-viagra | viagra benefits side effects | what is viagra made of | generic viagra india | alternative search viagra | cialis samples | free herbal viagra samples | when do i take viagra | generic supplier viagra | viagra indigestion as a side effect | non prescription viagra | women use viagra | effects of viagra | natural viagra | canadain viagra india | buy real cialis | viagra generic availability india | viagra impotence pill | vipps pharmacy | professional cialis online | best prices on viagra | viagra patent | cost of viagra | does generic viagra work | cialis at real low prices | viagra for sale | viagra online pharmacy | cialis sales | viagra retail discount | recreational viagra | alternative female viagra | fake generic viagra | bad side effects of viagra | canadian pharmacy cialis | viagra pill | viagra warnings | cheapest online viagra | viagra no prescription | viagra in india | generic viagra in canada | viagra produced in mexico | buy low price viagra | cialis angioplasty | cheap link suggest viagra | viagra next day delivery | viagra dosage | viagra on line order | cheap quality viagra | viagra prescriptions | buy prescription viagra ]

Rhetoric, part 2–Tropes and Schemes (99) | File Type: audio/mpeg | Duration: 0:42:48

Body Words (98) | File Type: audio/mpeg | Duration: 0:38:05

Body Words: Howard Chang and Dave Shepherd put their noses to the grindstone and go toe-to-toe in a tete-a-tete, as they talk about body words. Dave thanks Scott and Mary for their support through the PayPal donation button. (2:05) This topic is, of course, the theme of Charles Hodgson’s book Carnal Knowledge. It was suggested to us by Julia MacAdam. (2:32) Idioms that use parts of the human body, from head to toe (3:43) Music bumper from “Broken Heart” by Briareus. (18:30) Derivatives–English words derived from Latin words for body parts (19:21) Song: “Head Over Heels” by Emelee (23:14) Rude word of the week: “ass-kisser” (26:43) Music bumper from “Mandan Heartbreak Song” by Keith Bear. (29:33) The heart and muscle memory: there may be a biological reason we think of our innermost thoughts as connected to the heart. See The Lost Arts of the Mind by Darren Bridger and The Heart’s Code by Paul Pearsall (30:18) Music courtesy of The Podsafe Music Network and Ioda Promonet Theme music by Kick the Cat Closing music from “Grapes” by Evan Stone time: 38:05 size: 34.9 Mb rating: PG-13 (The Rude Word would get a middle-schooler sent to the office.) Emelee “Head Over Heels” (mp3) from “Kiss” (Barak Entertainment) Buy at iTunes Music Store Buy at eMusic Buy at Napster Buy at Rhapsody Buy at Amazon Keith Bear “Mandan Heartbreak Song” (mp3) from “Earthlodge” (MakochÃ© Music) Buy at iTunes Music Store Buy at eMusic Buy at Napster Buy at Rhapsody Buy at Amazon Buy at GroupieTunes More On This Album [ price cialis | sildenafil citrate omnigen | viagra recipe | viagra pfizer canada | bio viagra herbal | viagra blister 4 | buy real viagra | does generic cialis work | viagra history | no prescription viagra | cheap link suggest viagra | how do you use viagra | viagra pfizer | herbal alternative to cialis | viagra canada generic | generic viagra india | buy cialis once daily | cialis soft canada | gel tab viagra | viagra price list | cialis online sales | free trial viagra | cheap viagra uk | viagra plant | viagra high blood pressure | natural viagra substitutes | viagra blog | generic money order viagra | viagra online cod | when did viagra come out | cialis quick shipment | viagra capsules | generic cialis soft tabs | generic viagra soft tabs | indian sildenafil citrate | combine cialis and levitra | cialis buy | generic ogden viagra | discount cialis levitra viagra | cialis delivered overnight | cialis no rx | viagra pay after delivery | soft viagra | purchasing viagra in canada | try viagra for free | viagra overnight | viagra cookies | cialis canadian | viagra from canada | female herbal viagra | viagra buy | women use viagra | soft viagra | cialisis in canada ]

Rhetoric, part 1 (97) | File Type: audio/mpeg | Duration: 0:35:07

Rhetoric, part 1: Howard Shepherd and Dave Shepherd explore the difference between rhetoric and dialectic. They invoke Plato, Aristotle, Rush Limbaugh and Michael Moore. Dave thanks Michael, Tim, Emma, and Clint for their support through their PayPal donations to the show. (See the button on the right-hand navigation column of our web page.) (2:00) Rhetoric, dialectic, syllogism and enthymeme defined and illustrated. Howard’s major source is Classical Rhetoric for the Modern Student by Edward P. J. Corbett. (2:26) Music bumper from “Road to Rhodes” by Scott Helm. (10:44) Modes of persuasion in contemporary discourse: Limbaugh/Moore vs. Obama/Huckabee (11:26) Song: “Liar” by Shoestring Strap (19:15) Rude word of the week: bullshit artist (22:34) Music bumper from “Telepop” by The Jerrys. (27:09) Anticipation of part 2: figures of speech and rhetorical techniques (27:56) Music courtesy of The Podsafe Music Network Theme music by Kick the Cat time: 35:07 size: 36.8 Mb rating: PG-13 (Our Rude Word would probably get you sent to the principal’s office in a U.S. middle school.) [ viagra discount uk | viagra movies | canadian healthcare cialis | generic viagra india | buy cheap viagra online uk | chip cialis | viagra recipe | double dose of cialis | viagra in mexico | viagra and sexual performance | how often can you take viagra | who makes viagra | brand viagra without prescription buy | viagra studies women | viagra cost | buy viagra online cheap | buying cialis soft tabs 100 mg | cheap viagra 50mg | natural viagra | super viagra | cheapest cialis overnight delivery | buy cheap generic viagra | stores that sell viagra | h h order script sec viagra | buy and purchase viagra online | herbal viagra welnet4u.de wf | how to get viagra | female viagra response | alternative to viagra | the truth about cialis | viagra directions | how to get viagra no prescription | viagra uit india | cialis soft tabs discount sale | cialis dosagem | viagra online pharmacy usa | when did viagra come out | where can i buy viagra | cialis on line pricing in canada | types of viagra | who should not take viagra | how to get cialis no prescription | cialis soft pills | canadian pharmacy cialis | get cialis | cialis brand name | canada viagra | canadian pharmacy viagra | viagra chemical structure | how to get cialis | viagra jokes | cialis discount | cialis buy overnight | generic viagra uk supplies ]

Special 2008 New Year’s Edition (96A) | File Type: audio/mpeg | Duration: 0:20:55