Episode

The Sound of a Car Backshifting

Podcast
Lexicon Valley
Published
Mar 24, 2026
Duration seconds
1891
Processing state
not_requested
Canonical source
https://traffic.megaphone.fm/AMPP6102402824.mp3?updated=1774381743
Audio
https://traffic.megaphone.fm/AMPP6102402824.mp3?updated=1774381743
JSON
/v1/public/podcasts/lexicon-valley-4085356/episodes/the-sound-of-a-car-backshifting
Markdown
/podcast/lexicon-valley-4085356/the-sound-of-a-car-backshifting.md

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Summary

John McWhorter on language change — from the meaning of wit to the pronunciation of automobile. Plus, a defense of redundancy! Visit ⁠⁠Lexicon Valley⁠⁠. A Booksmart Studios production. Episode 294: "The Sound of a Car Backshifting." With John McWhorter. Produced and edited by Mike Vuolo. All rights reserved. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices