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Fresh AIr linguist Geoff Nunberg

In memoriam: Geoff Nunberg

Fresh Air remembers its longtime language commentator, who died on August 11, 2020. He was 75-years-old. 

 

Since his debut on Fresh Air in 1987, Geoff recorded hundreds of segments for the show, discussing how pop culture, technology, the business world, and politics keep changing our language, and the ways in which language evolves over time with each new generation. His "Word of the Year" selections were eagerly anticipated by Fresh Air staff and fans alike. This collection includes a small sampling of some of our favorite Geoff Nunberg segments from his many years on the show.

 

We miss Geoff enormously. He will always be a member of the Fresh Air family.

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34:41

Paperwork, lines, hours on hold: There's a 'Time Tax' on Americans who need help most

Journalist ANNIE LOWREY is a staff writer at The Atlantic, where she covers economic policy. Her new book is The Time Tax: How the Government Wastes Our Time, and How to Fix It. She argues that the red tape in American life isn't an accident. It's a policy choice, one that determines who gets food assistance, health care, even the ability to vote. Her previous book is Give People Money about universal basic income. (INTERVIEW BY TONYA MOSLEY) (THIS INTERVIEW CONTINUES INTO THE SECOND HALF OF THE SHOW).

23:07

'Pluribus' star Rhea Seehorn says no thanks to a world dictated by groupthink

(2.) Actor RHEA SEEHORN<RAY Seehorn>. The former co-star of “Better Call Saul” is nominated for an Emmy for her starring role in “Pluribus,” the Apple TV series created by Vince Gilligan. Terry Gross spoke with RHEA SEEHORN last year about the “Pluribus”. “Pluribus” is nominated for eighteen Emmys, including one for SEEHORN as Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series. The Emmys are scheduled for September 14th. (THIS INTERVIEW ORIGINALLY AIRED 12.09.2025)

There are more than 22,000 Fresh Air segments.

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