The Word Nerds

Dave Shepherd and Howard Shepherd discuss hyperbole and exaggeration. (It’s the best podcast ever!)
Dave talks a bit about our changeover to our new blog site (1:51)
Howard and Dave explore the etymologies of “hyperbole” and “exaggeration” and discuss why speakers tend to exaggerate. (4:01)
Comic uses of hyperbole (10:45)
Music bumper from by “Bongo Booty” by Vincent […]

Dave Shepherd welcomes back the North Carolina Nerd, Howard Shepherd, who is home from his travels to Denmark. Dave and Howard respond to several voicemails and emails about ePrime and puns. (1:55)
Howard shares his memories of his trip with his students to Hobro Gymnasium in Denmark. (8:53)
Revisiting our show on Insidious Idioms, we explain our […]

Hearing Howard Chang talk about “homophone creep” (a term that I like very much) made me think of the problem that I encounter every year when reading Hamlet. At one point in the play, either Rosencranz or Guildenstern uses the expression “niggard of question…” Invariably, the student who is reading that part pronounces the word […]

Dave Shepherd and Howard Shepherd respond to a voicemail from Chad at Me and the Bean about the secret girl language. (1:58)Dave and Howard explore several different sorts of puns. (4:18)
Music bumper from “Nada” by Jaime Beauchamp (11:26)
Some serious puns (12:11)
Song: “Absinthe Minded,” by Adrienne Pierce (16:03)
Rude word of the week: “dullard” (as in somebody […]