The Owlish Folk
A podcast that answers questions about the English language. In each episode we talk about - and attempt to answer - a question about a feature or quirk of the English language.If you are interested in the English language, history, linguistics, or if you just want to listen to a lighthearted chat b… read more
All Episodes
29. A Likely Story: Why do people say "like" so much?
July 24th, 2019
In this short owl pellet, Dave digs into the origin of the word 'like', its various uses, and whether the way that (often) young speakers use 'like' …
28. Happy Bloomsday!
June 13th, 2019
In this episode, Amanda and Dave celebrate Bloomsday, a day dedicated to James Joyce and one of his most famous books, Ulysses.
You can contact the …
27. The Owlish Folk 1 Year Anniversary Episode!
June 11th, 2019
Hoot hoot! It's The Owlish Folk's one year podcasting anniversary! In this episode, Amanda and Dave reminisce about the past year, discuss why they …
26. Which is Correct: Football or Soccer?
May 30th, 2019
In this episode, Amanda and Dave discuss which is correct: football or soccer. If you are American, you'll say "soccer." If you are from most places in the world, it's "football." If you listen to this episode, you …
25. Why do we say "good, better, best"?
May 23rd, 2019
In this episode, Amanda and Dave discuss why English-speakers use "good, better, best" and not "good, gooder, goodest." They also talk about "bad, worse, worst" and the linguistic concept of suppletion.
You can contact …
24. Garden Path Sentences
May 8th, 2019
In this episode, Amanda and Dave talk about the tricky sentences called "Garden Path Sentences." These sentences are grammatically correct, but seem not to be at first. Some examples talked about in the episode are:
1. …
23. Buffalo buffalo buffalo
April 25th, 2019
In this episode, Amanda and Dave talk about sentences that are often made up of one, or a few, repeating words. Ridiculous as they are hilarious, …
22. Escher Sentences
April 10th, 2019
In this owlet episode, Amanda and Dave talk about the interesting concept of Escher sentences, also known as "comparative illusions." Some examples talked about in the episode are:
1. "More people have been to Russia …
21. Are door keys related to musical keys?
March 29th, 2019
In this episode, Amanda and Dave determine if there is a relationship between musical keys and door keys. Other musical words are discussed, and Amanda tries to stump Dave during a quiz!
You can contact the show with …
20. Body parts: Where are your daddles?
February 25th, 2019
In this episode, Amanda and Dave talk about words related to body parts or organs. Unique words for common body parts and/or organs are discussed. There's also a pop quiz at the end!
You can contact the show with …
19. Technology Words: Mice or Mouses?
January 17th, 2019
In this episode, Amanda and Dave discuss the question of how to pluralize "computer mouse": is it mice or is it mouses? They also discuss the …
18. Is a resolution the same as a promise?
January 8th, 2019
In this episode, Amanda and Dave discuss the difference between promises and resolutions. They also discuss the origin and meaning of the song …
17. Interview Series: Happy Christmas or Merry Christmas?
January 2nd, 2019
In this episode, Amanda and Dave have the first of many discussions entitled the "Interview Series" wherein a guest comes to The Owlish Folk! For …
16. A Stocking Full of Christmas Words
December 21st, 2018
In this episode, Amanda and Dave discuss some interesting words related to Christmas.
You can contact the show with questions or comments at …
15. How can one word have opposite meanings?
December 13th, 2018
In this episode, Amanda and Dave discuss the many different kinds of contronyms: words which have two opposite meanings. They discuss the three kinds of contronyms and give many examples.
You can contact the show with …
14. Are We Free to Boldly Split Infinitives?
November 30th, 2018
In this episode, Amanda and Dave have a dialogue about the controversy of splitting infinitives; is it acceptable, or is it a crime? Other grammar myths and common misused words and phrases are discussed.
You can contact …
13. The Entire History of Q
November 16th, 2018
In this episode, Amanda and Dave discuss the history of the letter "Q." They also discuss why "Q" and "U" do, and do not, go together.
As mentioned in the episode, here is the Greek letter koppa: Ϙ. More information …
12. A Bag of Curious Words
November 6th, 2018
In this owlet, Amanda and Dave discuss words or terms coined by Shakespeare, Tolkien, Dawkins, Carroll, and others.
Some words discussed are: …
11. Halloween Movies
October 30th, 2018
Happy Halloween! In this holiday episode, Amanda and Dave discuss Halloween movies and holiday-themed words that are associated with the titles. They …
10. Where New Words Come From: James Joyce and Quarks
October 25th, 2018
In this episode, Amanda and Dave discuss where new words come from. They also discuss James Joyce and the words he created, as well as literary devices he utilized to create new words.
As mentioned in the episode, here …
9. Myths, illness, and toilets
October 16th, 2018
In this owlet, Amanda is off sick so Dave talks about some language myths concerning a nursery rhyme, vomit, and the toilet.
You can contact the show …
8. Is Sunday really Sun-day?
October 7th, 2018
In this episode, Amanda and Dave discuss the origin of the days of the week.
You can contact the show with questions or comments at …
7. Why isn't October the eighth month of the calendar year?
September 19th, 2018
In this episode, Amanda and Dave discuss the origin of the months of the year. They also discuss the history of the calendar .
You can contact the …
6. You and We
September 5th, 2018
In this episode, Amanda and Dave discuss the history and unusual usage of the pronouns "you" and "we". They also explain the use of "thee" and "thou" in Elizabethan and modern English.
You can contact the show with …
5. Why do we capitalize "I"?
August 7th, 2018
In this episode, Amanda and Dave discuss why the pronoun "I" is capitalized. They also discuss tidbits about typography, tittles and jots, and the origin of "uppercase" and "lowercase".
You can contact the show with …
4. Plural Names and Game
July 24th, 2018
In this episode, Amanda and Dave discuss the different ways animal names are pluralized. For example, we have a cow/some cows, a sheep/some sheep, a goose/some geese, and an ox/some oxen. They also discuss words that …
3. Terms of Venery
July 10th, 2018
In this episode, Amanda and Dave discuss the origin of animal group names.
If you like the show, please subscribe. You can follow The Owlish Folk on …
2. Silent Letters
June 26th, 2018
In this episode, we talk about why some English words have silent letters. We discuss the types of silent letters and where they come from.
If you like the show, please subscribe! If you have questions or comments, …
1. Animals and Meat
June 12th, 2018
In this episode, we talk about why meat doesn't always have the same name as the animal it comes from.
You can subscribe to The Owlish Folk on …
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