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January 23, 2009 Although many Americans heard Barack Obama's inauguration speech, they probably weren't listening for plyptotons and catachresis — but Geoff Nunberg was.

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October 29, 2008 The McCain campaign's charge that Barack Obama has socialist leanings has put the spotlight on a word relatively uncommon to modern American elections. Linguist Geoff Nunberg explains how the "S" word was used in the past — and why it's come up now.

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On Fresh Air from WHYYPlaylist

October 15, 2008 What do Hillary Clinton, Barack Obama, Sarah Palin, George W. Bush, and John Edwards have in common? They've all been criticized for the way they speak. Linguist Geoff Nunberg has some thoughts about candidates and regional cadence.

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On Fresh Air from WHYYPlaylist

October 8, 2008 Much has been made of the effects the recent financial crisis will have on "Main Street." Linguist Geoff Nunberg Geoff Nunberg discusses how this term gained such popular — and presidential — usage.

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On Fresh Air from WHYYPlaylist

September 16, 2008 When Barack Obama trotted out a well-worn, folksy phrase about cosmetics and swine, the political world developed a sudden rash. Linguist Geoff Nunberg asks what all the shouting was about.

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On Fresh Air from WHYYPlaylist

July 10, 2008 From the telegraph to the typewriter to the text message, every new technology inspires rhapsodies about the effect it'll have on language — especially the language of the young. Geoff Nunberg points out that language — and the young — somehow manage to survive.

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On Fresh Air from WHYYPlaylist

May 28, 2008 Linguist Geoff Nunberg considers the changing definitions of "love" and "marriage."

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On Fresh Air from WHYYPlaylist