Best Lo & Rob Podcasts (2025)

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Adapting a classic: from words to watercolors, with K. Woodman-Maynard 24:40

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23h ago24:40

24:40

1119. This week, we talk with illustrator and cartoonist K. Woodman-Maynard about her new graphic novel adaptation of "Tuck Everlasting." We look at the creative process of adapting a beloved book, including how she uses visual storytelling to convey emotion and meaning with watercolor and panel design. We also look at her approach to condensing th…

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Dime idioms. ‘HoCo’ and syllable acronyms. Pulling a Trevor 14:48

3d ago14:48

14:48

1118. This week, we look at the origins of idioms related to the word "dime," like "turn on a dime" and "get off the dime." We also look at a special kind of acronym that uses syllables, and how words like "Nabisco," "SoHo," and "HoCo" were formed. The "dime" segment was written by Karen Lunde, a career writer and editor. These days, she designs we…

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How algorithms are changing the meaning of words, with Adam Aleksic 14:04

8d ago14:04

14:04

1117. This week, we talk with Adam Aleksic, also known as the Etymology Nerd, about the ways algorithms are changing the meaning of words. We look at how words like "preppy" have evolved and how social media is accelerating language change. We also look at how different cultures "shout" online without using capital letters, the linguistic connectio…

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The pirate history of ‘scallywag.’ ‘Used to’ versus ‘use to.’ Cheese grits. 14:50

10d ago14:50

14:50

1116. This week, we clarify the origins of the word "Schnauzer" and why it may mean "snout," "growler," or "mustache." Then, in honor of Talk Like a Pirate Day, we look at the true origins of the word "scallywag," which, believe it or not, isn't from pirates but may be related to Shetland ponies. Then, we look at why we use both "used to" and "use …

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From clay tablets to the Gutenberg press, with Keith Houston 25:19

15d ago25:19

25:19

1115. This week, we talk with Keith Houston about his book, "The Book." We look at how writing technology evolved from clay tablets and bamboo slips to papyrus and paper. He shares some surprising facts, including why books are rectangles, how museums try to deacidify books, and how printing was once political. Keith Houston - Shadycharacters.co.uk…

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Why we have indents. More on Formica. Running on Edgar. 19:13

17d ago19:13

19:13

1114. This week, we look at the history and purpose of indents, from medieval manuscripts to modern word processors, and the difference between a first-line indent and a hanging indent. Then, we look at the fascinating, multi-layered story behind the word "Formica," and its connection to both a plastic substitute for mica and the Latin word for "an…

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The surprising ways we gesture about time and space, with Lauren Gawne 22:58

22d ago22:58

22:58

1113. This week, we talk with linguist Lauren Gawne about her book "Gesture: A Slim Guide." We look at how different cultures gesture about abstract concepts like time and space, and how we unknowingly gesture from our left-to-right writing system. We also look at why pointing is often rude, how different cultures point in different ways, and wheth…

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Vonnegut’s semicolon rule. What age has to do with language. Chocolate donut. 15:42

24d ago15:42

15:42

1112. This week, we look at why you can safely ignore Kurt Vonnegut’s famous advice about ignoring semicolons. We also look at why taking punctuation advice from fiction writers may not be a good idea for business writing. Then, we look at how major life events, not age, change how you speak as you get older. The age segment was by Valerie Fridland…

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Why we say 'near miss.' How dogs got their names. Stupid dog Jackie. 18:31

1M ago18:31

18:31

1111. This week, we look at the phrase "near miss" and why this seemingly illogical term actually makes sense. Then, in honor of National Dog Day, we look at how 16 different dog breeds got their names, including why a dachshund is a "badger dog," a poodle is a "puddle dog," and a mastiff is a "tame dog." The "near miss" segment was by Natalie Schi…

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How to build a successful writers’ newsletter, with Jane Friedman 18:29

1M ago18:29

18:29

1110. This week, we talk with Jane Friedman, an expert on the business of being a writer. We look at how to build a strong email newsletter and why it's a critical tool for authors in today's publishing world. Jane shares her best tips for getting started, what to write about, and how to get new subscribers — offering advice that can help any write…

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What is 'versing'? ‘Whatchamacallit' and other placeholder words. Chicken. 13:14

1M ago13:14

13:14

1109. This week, we look at why kids and video gamers talk about "versing" someone. Then, we look at the linguistics of placeholder words like "whatchamacallit" and "thingamajig," including some fun international examples and the now-obsolete word "whiblin." The "thingamajig" segment was by Ursula Kania, a Senior Lecturer in English Language and Li…

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AI's impact on translators, untranslatable Dutch words, and more, with Heddwen Newton 19:38

1M ago19:38

19:38

1108. This week, we talk to Heddwen Newton about some of the unique and untranslatable words she's discovered while translating. She shares her thoughts on why the translation profession is being hit hard by AI and the kind of work that is likely to be lost. We also hear her book recommendations, including a novel and a nonfiction book about the hi…

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Double possessives. Words that do double duty. The monkeys aren't working. 14:53

2M ago14:53

14:53

1107. This week, we look at double possessives, such as "a friend of Mignon's" and whether they are grammatically correct. Then, we look at words that do double duty, from the nautical origins of "scuttlebutt" to "beetle" — which can be both an insect and a tool. The double possessives segment was written by Susan Herman, a retired multidisciplined…

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LSG 019: Ralph Miranda talks opening doors in Gyromite with Nintendo’s infamous R.O.B. robot, jump kicking punks with SEGA sneakers in Streets of Rage, and whipping vampires while wearing a leather loincloth ... 1:56:38

2M ago1:56:38

1:56:38

Welcome to Episode 19 of Load Save Game, a podcast where I talk to people about their personal journey with video games. I am your host Jose Eusebio. My guest today is my wonderful friend Ralph Miranda. Ralph is an illustrator, a production artist, and storyboarder. Ralph has worked on marketing campaigns for big brands, movies, tv shows, and sever…

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New words: 'beer muscles' & 'waka jumpers,' with Fiona McPherson. 16:34

2M ago16:34

16:34

1106. We talk with Fiona McPherson, a senior editor at the Oxford English Dictionary, about the playful words that get added to the OED. We look at the dictionary's ongoing work to expand its coverage of World Englishes, and Fiona shares some of her favorite recent additions, including "waka jumper" from New Zealand politics and "Rolex," a term for…

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How pronouns reveal our psychology. How'd we get our alphabet? Tabagogox. 14:46

2M ago14:46

14:46

1105. This week, we look at how the pronouns you use can reveal your psychological state — for example, how using "I" versus "we" can signal how you are coping with a breakup or a tragic event. Then, we look at where our alphabet started, from ancient Egyptian hieroglyphs to the Phoenicians and Romans. The psychology of pronouns segment was written…

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‘Spark words’ and the hidden history of ‘panic’ and ‘Ritalin,’ with Martha Barnette 32:23

2M ago32:23

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1104. This week with Martha Barnette, co-host of "A Way with Words" and author of "Friends with Words: Adventures in Languageland," we look at the concept of a "spark word" — the word that ignites a love of language. We also look at fascinating etymologies from ancient Greek, including the surprising connections between "Nike" and "fennel," and the…

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'Heat wave' vs. 'cold snap.' Why reading stories makes you smarter. Rogering. 14:15

2M ago14:15

14:15

1103. Why do we talk about "heat waves" but "cold snaps"? This week, we look at the history behind these common weather phrases and other quirky idioms like "raining cats and dogs" and "under the weather." Then, we look at what kind of reading is best for improving your language skills, including research on the benefits of fiction versus nonfictio…

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Why plain English matters in science (and everywhere else), with Anne Greene 31:57

2M ago31:57

31:57

1102. This week, Anne Greene joins us to talk about the importance of writing in plain English, especially in scientific fields. We look at why short words are easier for our eyes to read and how a well-structured story with characters and action verbs can improve understanding. We also discuss how the historical origins of English words influence …

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'Y' plurals. Bill Labov's linguistic legacy. Choo-choo 14:53

2M ago14:53

14:53

1101. Do you know when to change a "y" to an "ies" for a plural, and when to just add an "s"? Today, we look at the rules. Then, we look at linguist Bill Labov's famous department store study, which shows how social class relates to speech patterns. The 'y' segment was written by Samantha Enslen, who runs Dragonfly Editorial. You can find her at dr…

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How 'algospeak' is changing language, with Adam Aleksic 25:03

2M ago25:03

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1100. This week, we talk with popular online linguist Adam Aleksic, also known as Etymology Nerd. We discuss "algospeak" and how social media algorithms are changing language. We discuss euphemisms like "unalive," the spread of trending words, and how content creators adapt their speech to go viral. Adam Aleksic - The Etymology Nerd Adam's book - "…

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Pop, soda, or coke? When Q stands alone. Pizza bones. 15:59

2M ago15:59

15:59

1099. Do you call it "pop," "soda," or "coke"? We look at the interesting history behind these regional names for carbonated beverages. Then, we look at words where you can use a Q without a U, which might help your Scrabble game. The pop, soda or coke segment was written by Valerie Fridland, a professor of linguistics at the University of Nevada i…

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Metaphors and your brain. How figurative language works, with Dr. Vicky Lai 19:20

3M ago19:20

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1098. We talk with cognitive scientist Dr. Vicky Lai about how frequently we use metaphors and what happens in our brains when we hear them. We also look at her research on irony and its effect on emotion, and how people recovering from cancer use metaphors differently depending on how they're doing. Dr. Vicky Lai - https://psychology.arizona.edu/p…

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Can you have a million bacons? Martha's Vineyard's unique sound. 17:06

3M ago17:06

17:06

1097. Do you wonder whether "bacon" can be plural? We look at the difference between countable and uncountable nouns. Then, we look at how the Martha's Vineyard accent developed and what it tells us about language and society. The "countable" segment was written by Karen Lunde, a career writer and editor. In the late '90s, as a young mom with two k…

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The surprising history (and politics) of emoji, with Keith Houston 28:39

3M ago28:39

28:39

1096. This week, we look at the world of emoji with Keith Houston, author of "Face with Tears of Joy." He discusses the long history of emoji, from ancient origins to early computer character sets, and the formal process of proposing new emoji to the Unicode Consortium. We also look at how emoji can be blends of multiple characters and tell us more…

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Is ‘sick’...good? What we think of posh language and class. Misunderseed 17:24

3M ago17:24

17:24

1095. Is “sick” really “good”? This week, we explore how words flip their meanings and why language changes over time. Then, we look at the 1950s idea of "U and Non-U English" and what it tells us about social climbing. The "sick" segment was written by Natalie Schilling, a professor emerita of linguistics at Georgetown University in Washington, DC…