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Words in the Middle

by Laura Rosenberg

How does something like "lit" make it into our lexicon, and why are teenagers using it in conversation? Ever hear someone say "spill the tea" and not understood what they meant? In Words in the Middle, we explore how popular culture mixes with language and becomes #trendy.

Publisher-supplied feed metadata · PodParley refreshed Apr 12, 2026 · Source feed

Episodes

  1. "You Are Who I Love"

    Whewwww, well! It's been a while. I'm back, for today, with a poem by Aracelis Girmay as we approach Election Day. Music: "Of My Dreams" by Sean Angus Winston. Follow the pod on Instagram (@wordsinthemiddle) and Twitter (@WITMpod). Shoot me an email: [email protected]. See a word or a...

  2. 100 Years of Life & Language: Part I

    Laura sat down with Mitch, who was born in 1919, to discuss popular words and phrases over the last 100 years in this two-part podcast. Follow the pod on Instagram (@wordsinthemiddle) and Twitter (@WITMpod). Shoot me an email: [email protected]. See a word or a phrase on social media…

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  3. 2020: To Seeing & Speaking Clearly

    Laura, her family, and her friends share some words/phrases/slang that have got to go in 2020. Cheers to a new decade, and goodbye to so many antiquated, overused linguistic choices. Follow the pod on Instagram (@wordsinthemiddle) and Twitter (@WITMpod). Shoot me an email:...

  4. Ok, Boomer

    Can't we all just get along? Laura (a millennial) and her dad (a Baby Boomer) discuss the popular phrase "ok boomer" with the help of Nina (a Gen Z-er). A lot is learned about about the Baby Boomer generation, as well as what younger generations have brought to the table (think: nearly all social...

  5. F's in the What?

    Laura and Joe discuss what "F's in the chat" means with Alec's help. This was a student-led episode with a phrase I've never heard before, and because I don't game, will likely never use. Follow the pod on Instagram (@wordsinthemiddle) and Twitter (@WITMpod). Shoot me an email:...

  6. SKSKSK: VSCO Girls

    With the help of Lily, Laura and Lizzie discuss what it means to be a VSCO Girl. We love our Birkenstocks, though, and we have zero problems with our students being hydrated and comfortable in their oversized t-shirts. Remember leggings, Uggs, a fleece, and a Starbucks? Let the girls live! 🌸🐢...

  7. Summer Slice: Pt. II

    Laura shares her highlights from linguist Gretchen McCulloch's new book, Because Internet: Understanding the New Rules of Language. Highlights include: young women being linguistic leaders (🙌🏼), 13 year olds and language trends, Columbusing (🤦🏻‍♀️😬), and emoji. Follow the pod on Instagram...

  8. When Slang Goes Viral

    Laura talks to high school teacher James Callahan about his Generation Z Dictionary that has over 24 million impressions, half a million likes, and over 150,000 retweets. Follow the show on Instagram (@wordsinthemiddle) and Twitter (@WITMpod). Shoot me an email: [email protected] See a...

  9. OMG, IKR, LG: Initialisms with Jeff & Dan

    Laura plays a little game with her two brothers testing their knowledge on popular initialisms. Side note: Dan and Jeff were recorded while on our family vacation in a large kitchen space versus a small, enclosed space; please excuse any moments that have less than excellent sound quality during...

  10. A Word

    Laura and Niles discuss white girls and "sis", the impact of language & how it's received, and how the black community creates culture (for the rest of us). Follow the show on Instagram (@wordsinthemiddle) and Twitter (@WITMpod). Shoot me an email! [email protected] See a word or phrase...

  11. Summer Slice: Pt. I

    Keep your ears & eyes open on words, phrases, & emojis making their way up the ranks.

  12. Low Key, Maybe High Key

    Jen almost gets it right & Mo low key loves English class.

  13. Here's the Tea

    Stacey spills on "breh" and "gucci". Laura used to play the baritone.

  14. Stanning Ourselves

    Kevin really likes the Civil War. Also, Taylor Swift's "Me" performance vs. Beyonce's "Homecoming".

  15. What a Mood

    John Mayer & polar bears on ice.

  16. Trailer

    Exploring the space where language meets pop culture.

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ABOUT THIS SHOW

How does something like "lit" make it into our lexicon, and why are teenagers using it in conversation? Ever hear someone say "spill the tea" and not understood what they meant? In Words in the Middle, we explore how popular culture mixes with language and becomes #trendy.

HOSTED BY

Laura Rosenberg

CATEGORIES

Frequently Asked Questions

How many episodes does Words in the Middle have?

Words in the Middle currently has 16 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.

What is Words in the Middle about?

How does something like "lit" make it into our lexicon, and why are teenagers using it in conversation? Ever hear someone say "spill the tea" and not understood what they meant? In Words in the Middle, we explore how popular culture mixes with language and becomes #trendy.

How often does Words in the Middle release new episodes?

Words in the Middle has 16 episodes. Check the episode list to see recent publication dates and frequency.

Where can I listen to Words in the Middle?

You can listen to Words in the Middle on PodParley by clicking any episode. We provide an embedded audio player for direct listening, and you can also subscribe via your preferred podcast app using the RSS feed.

Who hosts Words in the Middle?

Words in the Middle is created and hosted by Laura Rosenberg.
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