The Word Nerds

Baby Talk: Howard Chang and Dave Shepherd use their best adult vocabulary as they discuss baby talk.
Dave thanks Andy, Beverley and Jianxia for their support through the PayPal donation button. (2:00)
This is show #100. The recording date, March 21, is the third anniversary not only of The Word Nerds, but also of Schlaflos in München. […]

Body Words: Howard Chang and Dave Shepherd put their noses to the grindstone and go toe-to-toe in a tete-a-tete, as they talk about body words.
Dave thanks Scott and Mary for their support through the PayPal donation button. (2:05)
This topic is, of course, the theme of Charles Hodgson’s book Carnal Knowledge. It was suggested […]

Silence and Speechlessness: Howard Chang and Dave Shepherd sit in silence for a few seconds–and then find that they have something to say after all. They explore speechlessness and silence.
We are currently somewhat speechless because of overwork. (2:02)
Speechlessness: when words fail us. (3:33)
Music bumper from “Silence” by Caitlyn Smith. (10:29)
Silence: sometimes empty, sometimes […]

Public speaking: Howard Chang and Dave Shepherd sit very isolated in the Word Nerds studio, and yet speak to thousands of listeners about public speaking.
Oratory, rhetoric, and forensics (2:02)
Music bumper from “Forensic” by Nick Murray (14:29)
“Everyday” public speakers: teachers, podcasters, managers, and toasters (15:10)
Song: “Beer Toast” by Bobby Chitwood (25:43)
Rude word of the week: “rabble-rouser” […]

Small talk: Howard Chang and Dave Shepherd, who haven’t seen each other for several months, make and discuss small talk.
We encourage you to check our our friend Charles Hodgson’s book Carnal Knowledge. (2:22)
The inspiration for this show was the book How to Talk to Anybody About Anything by Leil Lowndes. (3:21)
In response to a voice […]

Howard Chang and Dave Shepherd tell some tall tales about myth, legend, and language.
Dave encourages listeners to digg our podcast (see the sidebar on the right side of our main blog page) and to visit the Word Nerds Forum to participate in the thread about this show. (2:52)
Myth and legend: Why do they exist? What […]

Howard Chang and Dave Shepherd are in a massive hurry to talk about speed.
Dave responds to feedback (2:08)

Jesse Thorn of The Sound of Young America sent us a copy of Sky Maul: Happy Crap You Can Buy From a Plane, by Kasper Hauser.
Voicemail from Kristin of The Manic Mommies
Our forum is now spam-free! Come talk […]

Dave Shepherd and Howard Chang talk about derivatives–words that come from other words and how we came to love them.
The derivation of “derivative” (2:42)
How we became infatuated with derivatives (5:17)
Music bumper from “Court of Greedy Kings,” by Val Davis (11:07)
Word Power through derivatives (”plant that seed, watch it grow”) (11:23)
Song: “Carbon Copy” by Sister Machine […]