Lingthusiasm
@lingthusiasm.bsky.social
A podcast that's enthusiastic about linguistics! By @gretchenmcc.bsky.social and @superlinguo.bsky.social
"Fascinating" -NYT
"Joyously nerdy" -Buzzfeed
lingthusiasm.com
Not sure where to start? Try our silly personality quiz: bit.ly/lingthusiasmquiz
"Fascinating" -NYT
"Joyously nerdy" -Buzzfeed
lingthusiasm.com
Not sure where to start? Try our silly personality quiz: bit.ly/lingthusiasmquiz
Pinned
111: Whoa!! A surprise episode??? For me??!!
Wait, surprise is associated with a particular intonation!?
Oh, you can see surprise by measuring electricity from your brain!?
Hang on, some languages have grammatical marking for surprise!?
In thi
soundcloud.com
Wait, surprise is associated with a particular intonation!? Oh, you can see surprise by measuring electricity from your brain!? Hang on, some languages have grammatical marking for surprise!?
In our latest episode we get enthusiastic about surprise!
In our latest episode we get enthusiastic about surprise!
Reposted by Lingthusiasm
Wait, surprise is associated with a particular intonation!? Oh, you can see surprise by measuring electricity from your brain!? Hang on, some languages have grammatical marking for surprise!?
In our latest episode we get enthusiastic about surprise!
In our latest episode we get enthusiastic about surprise!
111: Whoa!! A surprise episode??? For me??!!
Wait, surprise is associated with a particular intonation!?
Oh, you can see surprise by measuring electricity from your brain!?
Hang on, some languages have grammatical marking for surprise!?
In thi
soundcloud.com
December 19, 2025 at 2:15 AM
Wait, surprise is associated with a particular intonation!? Oh, you can see surprise by measuring electricity from your brain!? Hang on, some languages have grammatical marking for surprise!?
In our latest episode we get enthusiastic about surprise!
In our latest episode we get enthusiastic about surprise!
Reposted by Lingthusiasm
Colleague 1: What is a mirative?
Colleague 2: The linguistic expression of surprise
Colleague 1: What, really!?
Unintended humour
Colleague 2: The linguistic expression of surprise
Colleague 1: What, really!?
Unintended humour
January 3, 2026 at 7:17 AM
Colleague 1: What is a mirative?
Colleague 2: The linguistic expression of surprise
Colleague 1: What, really!?
Unintended humour
Colleague 2: The linguistic expression of surprise
Colleague 1: What, really!?
Unintended humour
Reposted by Lingthusiasm
People have been asking us for Lingthusiasm bloopers for a LONG time, so we've finally found mustered up a few that are actually reasonably funny
The unique communication styles of Swifites on tiktok, a cute Spanish internet meme, and some Lingthusiasm lore - plus bloopers!
It's a new bonus episode with deleted scenes from our interviews with @etymologynerd.bsky.social and @parasynthetic.bsky.social, and our second advice episode
It's a new bonus episode with deleted scenes from our interviews with @etymologynerd.bsky.social and @parasynthetic.bsky.social, and our second advice episode
Bonus 107: Swifties, amorch, Melbin, and bloopers! - Deleted Scenes from Adam Aleksic, Miguel Sánchez Ibáñez, and the advice episode | Lingthusiasm
Get more from Lingthusiasm on Patreon
www.patreon.com
January 2, 2026 at 12:28 AM
People have been asking us for Lingthusiasm bloopers for a LONG time, so we've finally found mustered up a few that are actually reasonably funny
Reposted by Lingthusiasm
The bloopers reel has people asking about the linguistics of bloopers and we've done that too!
You're in luck! We have a bonus episode about linguistic mix-ups which have been studied under various names
Bonus 88: Linguistic mixups - spoonerisms, mondegreens, and eggcorns | Lingthusiasm
Get more from Lingthusiasm on Patreon
www.patreon.com
January 2, 2026 at 2:53 PM
The bloopers reel has people asking about the linguistics of bloopers and we've done that too!
Missed our previous bonus episode?
Get access to this bonus where we get enthusiastic about the mysterious Voynich Manuscript with Dr. Claire Bowern and over 100 previous bonus episodes by becoming a patron:
Get access to this bonus where we get enthusiastic about the mysterious Voynich Manuscript with Dr. Claire Bowern and over 100 previous bonus episodes by becoming a patron:
A book containing puzzling drawings and a strange writing system has intrigued cryptographers, historians, linguists, and more for centuries...
In our latest bonus episode we get enthusiastic about the mysterious Voynich Manuscript with @chirila.bsky.social!
In our latest bonus episode we get enthusiastic about the mysterious Voynich Manuscript with @chirila.bsky.social!
Bonus 106: The Mysterious Voynich Manuscript - Interview with Claire Bowern | Lingthusiasm
Get more from Lingthusiasm on Patreon
www.patreon.com
January 2, 2026 at 12:26 AM
Missed our previous bonus episode?
Get access to this bonus where we get enthusiastic about the mysterious Voynich Manuscript with Dr. Claire Bowern and over 100 previous bonus episodes by becoming a patron:
Get access to this bonus where we get enthusiastic about the mysterious Voynich Manuscript with Dr. Claire Bowern and over 100 previous bonus episodes by becoming a patron:
The unique communication styles of Swifites on tiktok, a cute Spanish internet meme, and some Lingthusiasm lore - plus bloopers!
It's a new bonus episode with deleted scenes from our interviews with @etymologynerd.bsky.social and @parasynthetic.bsky.social, and our second advice episode
It's a new bonus episode with deleted scenes from our interviews with @etymologynerd.bsky.social and @parasynthetic.bsky.social, and our second advice episode
Bonus 107: Swifties, amorch, Melbin, and bloopers! - Deleted Scenes from Adam Aleksic, Miguel Sánchez Ibáñez, and the advice episode | Lingthusiasm
Get more from Lingthusiasm on Patreon
www.patreon.com
January 2, 2026 at 12:12 AM
The unique communication styles of Swifites on tiktok, a cute Spanish internet meme, and some Lingthusiasm lore - plus bloopers!
It's a new bonus episode with deleted scenes from our interviews with @etymologynerd.bsky.social and @parasynthetic.bsky.social, and our second advice episode
It's a new bonus episode with deleted scenes from our interviews with @etymologynerd.bsky.social and @parasynthetic.bsky.social, and our second advice episode
Did you know that Patreon now supports free following?
Free members on Patreon get:
💚 our list of 12 pop linguistics books we recommend, fiction and nonfiction
💚 a free bonus episode (on swearing!)
💚 an email once a month when new episodes drop!
patreon.com/lingthusiasm
Free members on Patreon get:
💚 our list of 12 pop linguistics books we recommend, fiction and nonfiction
💚 a free bonus episode (on swearing!)
💚 an email once a month when new episodes drop!
patreon.com/lingthusiasm
Lingthusiasm | Patreon
creating a podcast that's enthusiastic about linguistics!
patreon.com
January 1, 2026 at 6:47 PM
Did you know that Patreon now supports free following?
Free members on Patreon get:
💚 our list of 12 pop linguistics books we recommend, fiction and nonfiction
💚 a free bonus episode (on swearing!)
💚 an email once a month when new episodes drop!
patreon.com/lingthusiasm
Free members on Patreon get:
💚 our list of 12 pop linguistics books we recommend, fiction and nonfiction
💚 a free bonus episode (on swearing!)
💚 an email once a month when new episodes drop!
patreon.com/lingthusiasm
Happy new year!
Looking for some enthusiastic linguistics to listen to?
Here's a thread of episodes we did in the past year!
Looking for some enthusiastic linguistics to listen to?
Here's a thread of episodes we did in the past year!
2025 in review: this year we made 12 main episodes, 12 bonus episodes, and an extra bonus bonus!
A thread!
Starting with a milestone: 100 fun facts about linguistics in honour of our 100th episode
A thread!
Starting with a milestone: 100 fun facts about linguistics in honour of our 100th episode
💯 It's our 100th episode! 💯
To celebrate, we're giving you 100 fun facts about linguistics this month
See how many you recognize and tell us about your favourite linguistics facts this month in honour of our 100th episodiversary!
To celebrate, we're giving you 100 fun facts about linguistics this month
See how many you recognize and tell us about your favourite linguistics facts this month in honour of our 100th episodiversary!
January 1, 2026 at 6:46 PM
Happy new year!
Looking for some enthusiastic linguistics to listen to?
Here's a thread of episodes we did in the past year!
Looking for some enthusiastic linguistics to listen to?
Here's a thread of episodes we did in the past year!
Reposted by Lingthusiasm
Been listening to an audiobook reader and trying to figure out if it’s my accent or his that is unusual. Looking for data! For you:
Does “shone” rhyme with “gone” or “zone”?
Does “waft” rhyme with “daft” or “soft”?
@lingthusiasm.bsky.social
Does “shone” rhyme with “gone” or “zone”?
Does “waft” rhyme with “daft” or “soft”?
@lingthusiasm.bsky.social
January 1, 2026 at 3:21 AM
Been listening to an audiobook reader and trying to figure out if it’s my accent or his that is unusual. Looking for data! For you:
Does “shone” rhyme with “gone” or “zone”?
Does “waft” rhyme with “daft” or “soft”?
@lingthusiasm.bsky.social
Does “shone” rhyme with “gone” or “zone”?
Does “waft” rhyme with “daft” or “soft”?
@lingthusiasm.bsky.social
Reposted by Lingthusiasm
Finally got to finishingGesture: A Slim Guide by @superlinguo.bsky.social
Nonverbal communication (esp signed languages) has always fascinated me, and this is a great intro w/ lots to dig deeper into!
First learned about this on their podcast @lingthusiasm.bsky.socialw/ @gretchenmcc.bsky.social
Nonverbal communication (esp signed languages) has always fascinated me, and this is a great intro w/ lots to dig deeper into!
First learned about this on their podcast @lingthusiasm.bsky.socialw/ @gretchenmcc.bsky.social
January 1, 2026 at 12:58 AM
Finally got to finishingGesture: A Slim Guide by @superlinguo.bsky.social
Nonverbal communication (esp signed languages) has always fascinated me, and this is a great intro w/ lots to dig deeper into!
First learned about this on their podcast @lingthusiasm.bsky.socialw/ @gretchenmcc.bsky.social
Nonverbal communication (esp signed languages) has always fascinated me, and this is a great intro w/ lots to dig deeper into!
First learned about this on their podcast @lingthusiasm.bsky.socialw/ @gretchenmcc.bsky.social
Whether you've been enthusiastic about linguistics with us for a long time or you're just joining us right now, we're glad you're here 💚
And if you'd like a version of this thread as a single blog post with clickable links, you can have that here:
And if you'd like a version of this thread as a single blog post with clickable links, you can have that here:
2025 in review | Lingthusiasm
Get more from Lingthusiasm on Patreon
www.patreon.com
December 31, 2025 at 3:50 AM
Whether you've been enthusiastic about linguistics with us for a long time or you're just joining us right now, we're glad you're here 💚
And if you'd like a version of this thread as a single blog post with clickable links, you can have that here:
And if you'd like a version of this thread as a single blog post with clickable links, you can have that here:
December's bonus episode was about what we can actually know concretely about a still mysterious manuscript that's remained uncracked for centuries
A book containing puzzling drawings and a strange writing system has intrigued cryptographers, historians, linguists, and more for centuries...
In our latest bonus episode we get enthusiastic about the mysterious Voynich Manuscript with @chirila.bsky.social!
In our latest bonus episode we get enthusiastic about the mysterious Voynich Manuscript with @chirila.bsky.social!
Bonus 106: The Mysterious Voynich Manuscript - Interview with Claire Bowern | Lingthusiasm
Get more from Lingthusiasm on Patreon
www.patreon.com
December 31, 2025 at 3:45 AM
December's bonus episode was about what we can actually know concretely about a still mysterious manuscript that's remained uncracked for centuries
In December, we got enthusiastic about SURPRISE and the many ways it shows up linguistically!
Wait, surprise is associated with a particular intonation!? Oh, you can see surprise by measuring electricity from your brain!? Hang on, some languages have grammatical marking for surprise!?
In our latest episode we get enthusiastic about surprise!
In our latest episode we get enthusiastic about surprise!
111: Whoa!! A surprise episode??? For me??!!
Wait, surprise is associated with a particular intonation!?
Oh, you can see surprise by measuring electricity from your brain!?
Hang on, some languages have grammatical marking for surprise!?
In thi
soundcloud.com
December 31, 2025 at 3:43 AM
In December, we got enthusiastic about SURPRISE and the many ways it shows up linguistically!
November's bonus episode was about linguistics-related celebratory time periods, from the serious to the silly!
Are you doing anything for World Linguistics Day on Nov 26th?
In our latest bonus episode, we get enthusiastic about linguistics-related celebrations, from International Mother Tongue Day to Talk Like A Pirate Day
In our latest bonus episode, we get enthusiastic about linguistics-related celebrations, from International Mother Tongue Day to Talk Like A Pirate Day
Bonus 105: World Linguistics Day | Lingthusiasm
Get more from Lingthusiasm on Patreon
www.patreon.com
December 31, 2025 at 1:59 AM
November's bonus episode was about linguistics-related celebratory time periods, from the serious to the silly!
In November, we got enthusiastic about Proto Indo European with @dannybate.bsky.social!
How are we still making discoveries about the 5000-year-old ancestor to English, Latin, Czech, Hindi and many other languages?
In our latest episode we get enthusiastic about figuring out Proto-Indo-European with @dannybate.bsky.social!
In our latest episode we get enthusiastic about figuring out Proto-Indo-European with @dannybate.bsky.social!
110: The history of the history of Indo-European - Interview with Danny Bate
Before there was English, or Latin, or Czech, or Hindi, there was a language that they all have in common, which we call Proto-Indo-European. Linguists have long been fascinated by the quest to get a
soundcloud.com
December 31, 2025 at 1:58 AM
In November, we got enthusiastic about Proto Indo European with @dannybate.bsky.social!
Nym nym nym nym, nymity nym!
In our October bonus episode, we got enthusiastic about words with nym!
In our October bonus episode, we got enthusiastic about words with nym!
You may have learned about synonyms & homonyms in school. But do you know about contronyms, hypernyms, eponyms, backronyms, retronyms, demonyms, razzonyms, phantonyms...
In our latests bonus ep we get enthusiastic about our favourite words ending in nym!
In our latests bonus ep we get enthusiastic about our favourite words ending in nym!
Bonus 104: What's in a nym? Synonyms, antonyms, and so many more | Lingthusiasm
Get more from Lingthusiasm on Patreon
www.patreon.com
December 30, 2025 at 3:16 PM
Nym nym nym nym, nymity nym!
In our October bonus episode, we got enthusiastic about words with nym!
In our October bonus episode, we got enthusiastic about words with nym!
In October, we got enthusiastic about THE NOSE
Sounds come out of them, signs are located at them, and they're fodder for many picturesque metaphors
In this episode we get enthusiastic about the NOSE!
In this episode we get enthusiastic about the NOSE!
109: On the nose - How the nose shapes language
We often invoke the idea of language by showing the mouth or the hands. But the nose is important to both signed and spoken languages: it can be a resonating chamber that air can get shaped by, as wel
soundcloud.com
December 30, 2025 at 12:15 AM
In October, we got enthusiastic about THE NOSE
September's bonus episode was about the joys and challenges and sneaky pop cultural references of translating Because Internet into Spanish
Come for the general discussion of translation, stay for the specific question of translating lolcat into Spanish
Come for the general discussion of translation, stay for the specific question of translating lolcat into Spanish
Translations are very much acts of creation, especially when it comes to translating a book that is itself about language
In this bonus episode we chat with @parasynthetic.bsky.social about how he translated Because Internet into Spanish
In this bonus episode we chat with @parasynthetic.bsky.social about how he translated Because Internet into Spanish
Bonus 103: ¡Pos ya está! Translating Because Internet into Spanish with Miguel Sánchez Ibáñez | Lingthusiasm
Get more from Lingthusiasm on Patreon
www.patreon.com
December 29, 2025 at 7:59 PM
September's bonus episode was about the joys and challenges and sneaky pop cultural references of translating Because Internet into Spanish
Come for the general discussion of translation, stay for the specific question of translating lolcat into Spanish
Come for the general discussion of translation, stay for the specific question of translating lolcat into Spanish
In September, we interviewed Pius Akumbu about the highs and lows of fieldwork in Babanki
There are many highs and lows in linguistic research: from tones going up and down to emotional highs and lows like a wedding and a war
In this episode we get enthusiastic about fieldwork in Babanki with Dr. Pius Akumbu
In this episode we get enthusiastic about fieldwork in Babanki with Dr. Pius Akumbu
108: Highs and lows of tone in Babanki - Interview with Pius Akumbu
Linguistic research has its highs and lows: from staging a traditional wedding to learn about ceremonial words to having your efforts to found a village school disrupted by civil war. Linguistic resea
soundcloud.com
December 29, 2025 at 5:39 PM
In September, we interviewed Pius Akumbu about the highs and lows of fieldwork in Babanki
Our August bonus episode makes a great pairing with the main episode, talking about how languages on public signage influence how people think of a place
Public and commercial signs illustrate how people think about language.
In this bonus we get enthusiastic about linguistic landscapes and the inescapable linguist hobby of taking photos of linguistically interesting signage.
In this bonus we get enthusiastic about linguistic landscapes and the inescapable linguist hobby of taking photos of linguistically interesting signage.
Bonus 102: Reading linguistic landscapes on street signs | Lingthusiasm
Get more from Lingthusiasm on Patreon
www.patreon.com
December 29, 2025 at 4:10 PM
Our August bonus episode makes a great pairing with the main episode, talking about how languages on public signage influence how people think of a place
Reposted by Lingthusiasm
A still in-progress thread of @lingthusiasm.bsky.social episodes from this year!
2025 in review: this year we made 12 main episodes, 12 bonus episodes, and an extra bonus bonus!
A thread!
Starting with a milestone: 100 fun facts about linguistics in honour of our 100th episode
A thread!
Starting with a milestone: 100 fun facts about linguistics in honour of our 100th episode
💯 It's our 100th episode! 💯
To celebrate, we're giving you 100 fun facts about linguistics this month
See how many you recognize and tell us about your favourite linguistics facts this month in honour of our 100th episodiversary!
To celebrate, we're giving you 100 fun facts about linguistics this month
See how many you recognize and tell us about your favourite linguistics facts this month in honour of our 100th episodiversary!
December 29, 2025 at 4:15 AM
A still in-progress thread of @lingthusiasm.bsky.social episodes from this year!
Reposted by Lingthusiasm
Sounds intriguing! Gestures can convey so much meaning. Remember how the Vulcan salute represents peace? 🖖 What’s your favorite gesture from a sci-fi work? 🪐📚 #SciFiGestures
Our July bonus episode was about gestures in science fiction and fantasy!
If you're inventing a new world, why not invent a new gesture to go with it?
In this bonus episode crossover with @emolinsky.bsky.social we talk about fictional gestures in sci-fi & fantasy, including their inspiration from and uses in the real world
In this bonus episode crossover with @emolinsky.bsky.social we talk about fictional gestures in sci-fi & fantasy, including their inspiration from and uses in the real world
December 29, 2025 at 7:56 AM
Sounds intriguing! Gestures can convey so much meaning. Remember how the Vulcan salute represents peace? 🖖 What’s your favorite gesture from a sci-fi work? 🪐📚 #SciFiGestures
In August, we got enthusiastic about the many, MANY languages in cities that don't necessarily show up on official records
Many cities are host to hundreds of languages that don't show up on official records.
In this episode we get enthusiastic about urban multilingualism!
In this episode we get enthusiastic about urban multilingualism!
107: Urban Multilingualism
When we try to represent languages on a map, it's common to assign each language a zone or a point which represents some idea of where it's used or where it comes from. But in reality, people move aro
soundcloud.com
December 29, 2025 at 4:08 AM
In August, we got enthusiastic about the many, MANY languages in cities that don't necessarily show up on official records
Our July bonus episode was about gestures in science fiction and fantasy!
If you're inventing a new world, why not invent a new gesture to go with it?
In this bonus episode crossover with @emolinsky.bsky.social we talk about fictional gestures in sci-fi & fantasy, including their inspiration from and uses in the real world
In this bonus episode crossover with @emolinsky.bsky.social we talk about fictional gestures in sci-fi & fantasy, including their inspiration from and uses in the real world
Bonus 101: Why sci-fi gestures live long and prosper - Crossover with Imaginary Worlds | Lingthusiasm
Get more from Lingthusiasm on Patreon
www.patreon.com
December 29, 2025 at 3:21 AM
Our July bonus episode was about gestures in science fiction and fantasy!