The Word Nerds

Games and Wordplay: Barbara Shepherd and Dave Shepherd explore word games, games with words, and ways of playing with words. Dave thanks Brad and Naoko for donations, and Naoko, Ralsen, Asa, Jason and Hossein for their emails. (1:59) This show was inspired by a game published by Brad Chase, Orijinz. We play a couple of rounds. (Thanks, Brad!) (6:51) Music bumper from Bongo Booty by Vincent Van GoGo. (12:09) Some of our favorite games for word nerds young and old (12:47) Scrabble Boggle Taboo ...more

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 Mnchen. (2:14) Thanks to Blue and Cihat for emails. (3:08) Baby talk, reflecting the circle of human life; different applications for baby talk (4:18) Music bumper from &l...more

Rhetoric, part 2–Tropes and Schemes: Howard Shepherd and Dave Shepherd continue their discussion of rhetoric by exploring tropes, schemes, and Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address. Grimace from the Word Nerds Forum corrects us on our example of a syllogism. (2:31) Content versus style; tropes and schemes defined; and some examples of tropes. (Note: despite what Dave says in this segment, Edward P. J. Corbett’s book Classical Rhetoric for the Modern Student is only available in hardbac...more

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 to us by Julia MacAdam. (2:32) Idioms that use parts of the human body, from head to toe (3:43) Music bumper from Broken Heart by Briareus. (18:30) Derivatives&nd...more

Rhetoric, part 1: Howard Shepherd and Dave Shepherd explore the difference between rhetoric and dialectic. They invoke Plato, Aristotle, Rush Limbaugh and Michael Moore. Dave thanks Michael, Tim, Emma, and Clint for their support through their PayPal donations to the show. (See the button on the right-hand navigation column of our web page.) (2:00) Rhetoric, dialectic, syllogism and enthymeme defined and illustrated. Howard’s major source is Classical Rhetoric for the Modern Student by Ed...more

2008 New Year’s special edition: Dave Shepherd sends New Year’s greetings from the Word Nerds team, and responds to listener feedback. Dave reads and responds to emails from Hilary, Idiosyncratic Idiot, Chris, Rob, and Donna. (3:10) A bald-faced solicitation of your donations through our PayPal button. (See the right-hand navigation column on our website.) (15:47) Shows we hope to do soon: rhetorical devices, many peoples divided by a common language, and the languages we teach. (1...more

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 expressive (11:42) Song: Silence by Shannon Hurley (19:48) Rude words of the week: “dum-dum” ...more

Religious Words: Barbara Shepherd and Dave Shepherd look deep within their souls–without proselytizing–as they talk about the connection between religious language and everyday language. Religious words as they are re-appropriated into everyday life. Thanks to EJ for suggesting this topic, and letting us know about the technology evangelists. (1:58) Howard Shepherd tells us about an interesting blog at No Thirst Software. (9:16) Music bumper from Faith by Greg Federico. (14:32) Sec...more

Nicknames: Howard Shepherd and Dave Shepherd call each other by names other than their given names as they discuss nicknames. Listener feedback (2:22) Eke-names, mascots, and a shout-out to a former student (5:18) Music bumper from “Grapes” by Evan Stone. (17:34) Monikers"deliberately chosen or applied names (18:23) Song: “Familar Names, Familiar Games” by Doug McLeod (22:50) Rude word of the week: your worst nickname (27:05) Music bumper from “Melancolica” b...more

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” (29:18) Music bumper from Rendered Speechless by Briareus (34:02) H...more