English language
John Keats was One of the First Suburbanites.
Linguist Geoff Nunberg on the long history of the word "suburbs."
How Europeans are Spicing Up Their Languages with English Words.
Linguist Geoff Nunberg reflects on the borrowing of English words in Europe.
The State of the English Language.
Linguist Geoff Nunberg reflects on the state of the English language.
Adjusting Our Language to Our New Century.
Linguist Geoff Nunberg considers the difficulties we’re having talking about the new millennium.
Linguist Geoff Nunberg
Linguist Geoff Nunberg on the terms "highbrow," "middlebrow," and "Lowbrow."
Linguist Nunberg on American and British English
Linguist Geoff Nunberg considers the differences between American and British English.
The 'Etymythologies' of Words
Linguist Geoff Nunberg discusses the "etymythologies" of words, including those used as racial epithets.
Enumerating English
How many words are in the English language? 500,000? 1 million? Our linguist says there is no way to really count all the words. What's more, he wonders why people even care.
Geoff Nunberg: On the Stump, the Same Old Story
Linguist Geoff Nunberg offers up a few thoughts on the use of a certain C-word in current electoral rhetoric. That word is "change" and it's what all the candidates are promising. But what does it really mean?
The Ghost Of Populism Walks Again — Again
The term "populist" has been heavily used by the media lately, most often coupled with "rage," but also with "AIG" and "pitchfork." Linguist Geoff Nunberg examines the roots of the term as well as its current usage.