EPISODE · Aug 20, 2025 · 49 MIN
Why does "like" bother us so much?
from The Colin McEnroe Show · host Connecticut Public Radio
The word "like" has been around for centuries, but it reached a new cultural prominence in the 1980s, partially thanks to Frank Zappa's song "Valley Girl." Since then, "like" has taken on a life of its own, inspiring strong emotions. This hour, we look at the meaning and evolution of "like." Plus, how movies like the now 30-year-old Clueless have impacted our language. GUESTS: Megan C. Reynolds: An editor at Dwell and author of Like: A History of the English Language’s Most Hated (and Misunderstood) Word Kory Stamper: Lexicographer and author of Word By Word: The Secret Life of Dictionaries Veronica Litt: English Professor and author of Ugh! As If!: Clueless Support the show: http://www.wnpr.org/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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Why does "like" bother us so much?
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