Words for Granted - An etymology and linguistics podcast

Words for Granted is a podcast that looks at how words change over time. Host Ray Belli uses linguistic evolution as a way of understanding larger historical and cultural changes.

Words for Granted - An etymology and linguistics podcast is a education podcast hosted by Ray Belli, with 130 episodes on record and a Required Pod Score of 80. PitchCentric scores this show on Booking Probability, Listen Score, and live audience signals refreshed every 24 hours.

Ray Belli hosts Words for Granted - An etymology and linguistics podcast, a education show with 130 episodes published.

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  Words for Granted - An etymology and linguistics podcast

  The Oxford Comma Debate: Interview with Jay Stookesbery

  Jul 27, 202643 min

  In this episode, Ray and Jay discuss the question first raised by the 2000s indie rock band, Vampire Weekend: Who gives a f*** about an Oxford comma ? Their conversation covers the history, usage, and widespread cultural obsession surrounding the most controversial of all commas . Jay debunks many myths surrounding the Oxford comma's alleged usefulness while acknowledging many of the reasons why "Oxfordnistas" advocate for it . Ultimately, the discussion highlights how stylistic choices in writing are largely driven by personal preference rather than strict grammatical rules . You can buy Jay's book here . You can support Words for Granted on Patreon .

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  Words for Granted - An etymology and linguistics podcast

  The Simplified Spelling Movement: Interview with Gabe Henry

  Jun 22, 202637 min

  We all know English spelling is inconsistent, but some people have actually tried to change it. In this episode, Gabe Henry, author of Enough is Enuf , explores the historical crusade to make English spelling more "rational." The conversation highlights the reform efforts of figures like Noah Webster and Ben Franklin, alongside eccentric movements like the 19th-century "Phunny Phellows" and the Mormon Deseret Alphabet. Ultimately, they dive into why these phonetic revolutions fail and how our spelling shapes our cultural identity. To buy Gabe's book, click here . To support this podcast, click here .

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  Words for Granted - An etymology and linguistics podcast

  The Proto-Indo-European Puzzle: Interview with Laura Spinney

  May 11, 202650 min

  In this episode, Ray chats with author Laura Spinney about Proto-Indo-European, the ancestral language of hundreds of modern languages spoken by billions today ranging from Western Europe to India. They explore how linguists reconstruct this unwritten language through comparative methods, what its vocabulary reveals about ancient society, and why its story remains relatively unknown despite its global importance. The conversation highlights the interdisciplinary nature of Indo-European studies—drawing on linguistics, archaeology, and especially recent breakthroughs in ancient DNA—which strongly support a migration of steppe pastoralists around 5,000 years ago as a key driver of language spread. To buy Laura's excellent book Proto, click here .

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  Words for Granted - An etymology and linguistics podcast

  The Science and History of English Accents: Interview with Valerie Fridland

  Apr 20, 202646 min

  In this episode, Ray talks with linguist Valerie Friedland about accents—what they are, where they come from, and why everyone has one. They explore how accents begin in early childhood, how regional speech patterns change over time, and why certain pronunciations carry such strong social meaning. From accent bias to the myth of "accentless" speech, the conversation reveals how deeply language shapes identity and perception. Use this link to buy Valerie's new book, Why We Talk Funny: https://www.valeriefridland.com/

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  Words for Granted - An etymology and linguistics podcast

  The History of the Alphabet: Interview with Danny Bate

  Mar 17, 202645 min

  In this episode, author Danny Bate walks through the alphabet's evolution from its origins in Egyptian hieroglyphs to the letters of the English alphabet familiar to us today. He explains why English spelling became so irregular, while also arguing that non-phonetic spelling can preserve meaning and help unify diverse English dialects. The conversation also highlights memorable letter histories, including an answer to the question: Why does Q need U? To learn more about Danny and order his new book, use this link: https://dannybate.com/

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