Geoffrey Nunberg

Linguist Geoffrey Nunberg tells us about endangered languages. Some will naturally die based on changing ways of living, while others are actively repressed.

The Fresh Air language commentator explains his neologism "cacophomism." It's the opposite of euphemism, and describes all those words that make something sound worse than it is.

Linguist Geoffrey Nunberg examines the evolution of the term "politically correct."

Linguist Geoff Nunberg mourns some of the colorful words that seem to have vanished from our language, like galoot, dudgeon, and geegaw. Some quick research reveals that no one is quite sure where they came from.

Linguist Geoffrey Nunberg comments on the way English speakers use the suffix "e" and "i" to lump together most nationalities in the Middle East (Kuwati, Iraqi...). He says the practice has its roots in the 19th and 20th century colonial period, and says a lot about how we view people in that region.

Linguist Geoffrey Nunberg on the jingoistic language of the Gulf Crisis. That style of discourse is closely linked to pro-war sentiments during the period of British colonialism.

Linguist Geoffrey Nunberg on the jingoistic language of the Gulf Crisis. That style of discourse is closely linked to pro-war sentiments during the period of British colonialism.

Linguist Geoff Nunberg foregoes his usual language commentaries to tell us a tale about being young and limber in Rome.

Linguist Geoff Nunberg mourns some of the colorful words that seem to have vanished from our language, like galoot, dudgeon, and geegaw. Some quick research reveals that no one is quite sure where they came from.

Linguist Geoffrey Nunberg examines what has happened to underworld slang. He says it no longer thrives the way it did in centuries gone by.