Four Calling Birds? Not Exactly.
from Lexicon Valley Hosted by Lexicon Valley
Happy New Year! In the generous spirit of the holidays, we’re making this week’s bonus segment free to all. But there’s more: Until the end of the year, you can get 30% off a subscription to Booksmart Studios. You’ll get extra written content and access to bonus segments like this one. More importantly, you’ll be championing all the work we do here. Become a member of Booksmart Studios today. “The Twelve Days of Christmas” is a slog. It's repetitive, replete with archaic imagery and long — and so one can be forgiven for getting a bit sloppy with the lyrics. That's what happened with the phrase “colly birds,” which eventually mutated to “calling birds.” Wait, what's a colly bird? John explains. Visit Lexicon Valley. A Booksmart Studios production. Bonus: "Four Calling Birds? Not Exactly." With John McWhorter. Produced and edited by Mike Vuolo. All rights reserved.
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