Small Talk and Big Questions

Social Life

Who Decides What Words Mean?

Roger Kreuz Ph.D. on May 15, 2024

Words can become skunked when people no longer agree about what they mean. Are we in danger of this with terms like "genocide" or "antisemitism"?

Words can become skunked when people no longer agree about what they mean. Are we in danger of this with terms like "genocide" or "antisemitism"?

Philosophy

What's the Good Word?

Roger Kreuz Ph.D. on April 19, 2024

Words that were once negative can become positive through several different processes.

Words that were once negative can become positive through several different processes.

Social Media

The Rise of "Girl" Words

Roger Kreuz Ph.D. on March 7, 2024

What do terms like "girl math" or "girl dinner" tell us about feminism in the 2020s?

What do terms like "girl math" or "girl dinner" tell us about feminism in the 2020s?

Social Media

Getting the Hang of Some Internet Slang

Roger Kreuz Ph.D. on February 16, 2024

Linguists are using the internet to track the evolution of slang in real time.

Linguists are using the internet to track the evolution of slang in real time.

Bullying

The Language of Intimidation

Roger Kreuz Ph.D. on January 17, 2024

"Doxxing" and "swatting" may be relatively new terms, but they follow the typical pattern of forming verbs from nouns.

"Doxxing" and "swatting" may be relatively new terms, but they follow the typical pattern of forming verbs from nouns.

Charisma

How Anyone Can Get More "Rizz"

Roger Kreuz Ph.D. on December 4, 2023

Everybody wants rizz, but what is it?

Everybody wants rizz, but what is it?

Emotions

Allow Me to Interject

Roger Kreuz Ph.D. on November 21, 2023

Interjections are essential for communication. But that doesn't mean they get much respect.

Interjections are essential for communication. But that doesn't mean they get much respect.

Bias

When Good Words Go Bad

Roger Kreuz Ph.D. on October 31, 2023

The meanings of words can shift in unpredictable ways, but many positive terms have become linked to negative female stereotypes.

The meanings of words can shift in unpredictable ways, but many positive terms have become linked to negative female stereotypes.

Cognition

What Your Idiolect Says About You

Roger Kreuz Ph.D. on September 6, 2023

A Personal Perspective: The way we speak today reflects our linguistic history.

A Personal Perspective: The way we speak today reflects our linguistic history.

Cognition

Is Speed Listening Right for You?

Roger Kreuz Ph.D. on July 27, 2023

Many people listen to spoken content at up to twice the normal speed. How does this affect comprehension?

Many people listen to spoken content at up to twice the normal speed. How does this affect comprehension?

Cognition

Why We Mishear Each Other So Often

Roger Kreuz Ph.D. on July 5, 2023

What is an eggcorn? Without further adieu, it's time to peak your interest.

What is an eggcorn? Without further adieu, it's time to peak your interest.

Body Language

These Books Will Change How You Think About Language

Roger Kreuz Ph.D. on June 7, 2023

The nature of language has been debated for millennia. These books bring some new ideas to the discussion.

The nature of language has been debated for millennia. These books bring some new ideas to the discussion.

Body Language

Biases in How We Communicate Can't Be Fixed With Emojis

Roger Kreuz Ph.D. on May 31, 2023

Some people believe that emojis clarify their texts and social media posts. The research says otherwise.

Some people believe that emojis clarify their texts and social media posts. The research says otherwise.

Cognition

The Problem With Emojis

Roger Kreuz Ph.D. on May 1, 2023

Emojis should allow us to communicate better. But is that really true?

Emojis should allow us to communicate better. But is that really true?

Sleep

In Praise of Mixed Metaphors

Roger Kreuz Ph.D. on April 2, 2023

Mixed metaphors can be confusing or unintentionally humorous. But they can also be arresting and memorable.

Mixed metaphors can be confusing or unintentionally humorous. But they can also be arresting and memorable.

Memory

How We Talk When We Talk About January 6

Roger Kreuz Ph.D. on March 1, 2023

Do the words we use to describe an event affect our later memory of it?

Do the words we use to describe an event affect our later memory of it?

Race and Ethnicity

How the Words Candidates Use Affect Their Campaigns

Roger Kreuz Ph.D. on February 2, 2023

Was the Pennsylvania senate race decided by...vegetables?

Was the Pennsylvania senate race decided by...vegetables?