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What's in a word? Mapping America's regional vocabulary and the Linguistic Atlas Project, with Allison Burkette

1223. This week, Valerie Fridland steps in for Mignon and sits down with linguist Allison Burkette of the Linguistic Atlas Project at the University of Kentucky. They look at what "lightwood" and "chifforobe" reveal about landscape and colonial contact, how "kindling" gave us "Kindle" and "Tinder," and the 380-plus recorded terms for cornbread. Then they look at why words rarely truly "die," even when the practices behind them fade.

A hearty thank-you to our Keepers of the Commas and one Immortal on Patreon. We appreciate your support!

Larry Rosenblum

Mahala Russell

George Wilson

Laurel Paul…

The skinny

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