Also, why does one of the few people on the show who has something actually informative to say get interrupted half-way through his speech? He deserves more than 6 minutes!
Anything with McWhorter is worth rapt attention. I just finished his 'Story of Human Language' course not too long ago, and have recently started his 'Linguistics' course, and frankly, if he made a 24 episode lecture series on the proper way of watching paint dry, I would be there devouring every word and technique.
At first I thought, "I'm kind of bummed there's no musical guest," but by the end I was thinking, "we need a linguistics guest more often." This was awesome.
Yes...yes...yes.....have real people of today, like Mcwhorter, who tell us how to get out of this fix. More please. Get Brian Tyler Cohen on, find out how he does his concise and entertaining pieces. We're in a stew and can come back later to glam Oscars and Tony's.
"Logorrheic verbal fantasia..." I've never heard the term "mouth diarrhea" spun with such eloquence. Man, I used to aspire to be as well spoken as the Prf. McWhorter while insulting someone.
Miss Amazon To my knowledge, it’s perfectly fine to say "___ is the reason why ___." Some may take issue with the redundancy of saying "why," but as professor McWhorter says in the video and his podcasts, there really isn’t a "wrong" way to use a language.
I took an upper-division linguistic course taught be Prof McWhorter as undergraduate with a different major. He’s lectures were brilliant - a few hours a week of education driven humour. I’ve based my teaching style upon his approach. Colbert should have him back and prompt a story where McWorter has to draw a map!
I felt bad when Colbert said “I’m afraid we’ll have to leave it there”. McWhorter clearly hadn’t finished answering the question that had been asked of him
What a delightful surprise to see John McHworter on the late show! One of my favorite linguists. He needs to be a regular on the show along with George Saunders!
Jesus Christ ..that was the harshest burn without swearing I've heard for a long while...the French good at burning ..super creative..but that was amazing:):):)
@@debbiedoodiedandi One thing I appreciate about Trump's stream of consciousness ramblings is that, unlike most other politicians who are so PC measured in their speach you don't know what the hell they are saying, he communicates effectively. One at least knows what he is thinking, warts and all.
They wouldn't bring him back now because he is not a supporter of the blm movement. He has said that he is writing a book about anti racism as a religion.
Also he had a very good debate where he explained why he believes antiracism is a religion. It was posted on the Reason TH-cam channel (Reason is a libertarian magazine)
I study English Language and Culture at the University of Leiden in the Netherlands. I assume Paige is a college student as well, based on the fact that she said her professors use McWhorter's material.
John McWhorter really needs to be in the forefront of intellectual discussion. Not only is the man just a font of reason, he's so eloquent and his cadence is so pleasant to listen to that its almost hypnotic.
I've heard about him through a world languages class I'm taking. He's a good public speaker and very interesting. I agree that the late show should have more people like this.
5:15 This is the very first time I see McWorther laugh a really broad laughter. I always thought he had stiff cheek muscles, but as it turns out he has a wholesome laugh after all :D
An interesting point is that one Old English (Anglo-Saxon) word still exists in Modern English, but with a slight spelling modification - werewolf. WERE (pronunced Weh-reh) was an Anglo-Saxon word meaning man or person, so werewulf, or werewolf, literally means manwolf. But as it exists only in a specific folklore context, it's not used frequently enough to actually induce any change.
Yes, of course, as Old English, or Anglo-Saxon, was a Germanic language, it had many cognates with other Germanic languages. It's interesting though, to see how these related languages have branched off and gone their own ways. I often wonder how Anglo-Saxon would have developed if the stinkin' Normans hadn't intervened. Damn them. Long live Harold Godwinson!
Alright, I love you again Stephen. I'm so glad that you bring people like this on your show. Of course, maybe I shouldn't be surprised either that a Lexicographer would be so witty and well-spoken ;)
This was a wonderful treat... I wish my linguistics professor back in college was this engaging. Instead I had the misfortune of having a monotonous drone destroy all of my enthusiasm to learn the variables of language. We need more passionate and articulate professors like prof. McWhorter to inspire and pique our interests. I'm definitely going to listen to his podcast. ^_^
When promoting a guest like this, it would be really nice if they would put a link in amongst all the other ones, that goes to said guest's work. I'd like to follow this guy now, and yeah, I'm gonna go look him up, I think his exposure would be dramatically increased if there was a direct link from here.
@@poopoogigolo I think that anti-Trump remark was more of a throwaway statement while trying to roll with the banter. He was probably embarrassed it was made into such a clapping point. He's rational about Trump for the most part and has as much criticism for various people on the Left. I love anything by him.
Losing the race and winning the race are a couple of his books relating to his politics. He is a senior fellow of the well known conservative, Manhattan Institute (I hesitate to say "token").
i would actually watch a talk show live, instead of catching youtube clips later, if i could expect guests like this. more podcasters on the late night circuit please! as well as the return of authors and intellectuals and people who are on because they have something to say, rather than something to promote. every late night show has the same guests. colbert could be the one to have people on because they are actually interesting to talk to (imagine!). Dick Cavett did it for years against Carson. I think Colbert is the guy and this is the time to make a talk show with people worth talking to.
I just came across this episode and it was definitely way too short. I could listen to this man for hours. He is intelligent, articulate and has a sense of humor to boot.
Could you add a little more description of your guest in the description area, like where to find/listen to this guest podcasts for example? These are excellent guests and I personally would like to know more.
This guy is great. I first found out about him in a series of video lectures from 2012 on the history of human language. If you ever want some purely mental entertainment, just surf and view/read anything by him. You can't go wrong.
John McWhorter is off the charts intelligent. It shows in the way he can explain the meanings of words without resorting to jargon. I just watched a video of his ehere he explained the feel of a language by whistling, and we all5 got it.
Finally ... an educational interview. More interviews with people like professor McWhorter, please!
Also, why does one of the few people on the show who has something actually informative to say get interrupted half-way through his speech? He deserves more than 6 minutes!
I found it really enlightening too.
wcwhorter is excellent people. more!
MORE MORE MORE
Anything with McWhorter is worth rapt attention. I just finished his 'Story of Human Language' course not too long ago, and have recently started his 'Linguistics' course, and frankly, if he made a 24 episode lecture series on the proper way of watching paint dry, I would be there devouring every word and technique.
At first I thought, "I'm kind of bummed there's no musical guest," but by the end I was thinking, "we need a linguistics guest more often." This was awesome.
Chloe Riley look up Susie Dent. She's an entertaining lexicographer. Some might also say a cunning linguist.
aaron russell I'll check it out, thanks!
@@aaronrussell7369 I know I'm late but /whoosh amarite?
At this point he’s more of a philosopher.
His lectures with The Great Courses are fantastic.
Fewer celebrities, more interviews like this please :)
It's part of the blood oath he signed with CBS, sadly.
MORE MORE MORE
Thank the Universe that there are people who appreciate our gift of language.
Maybe you need to redefine who YOU see as celebrity...he's a celebrity to many.
I am just being a pedantic d*ck...I get your sentiment :)
Yes...yes...yes.....have real people of today, like Mcwhorter, who tell us how to get out of this fix. More please.
Get Brian Tyler Cohen on, find out how he does his concise and entertaining pieces. We're in a stew and can come back later to glam Oscars and Tony's.
"Logorrheic verbal fantasia..."
I've never heard the term "mouth diarrhea" spun with such eloquence. Man, I used to aspire to be as well spoken as the Prf. McWhorter while insulting someone.
So does this means the old Colbert is back? I was entertained, and I'm sure I'm not the only one. Bring back all your academics pals, please!
TheMamarurucoco old Colbert never left. He just has occasional interviews with intellects.
Intelligent people are fascinating!
Agreed!
MAKE ACADEMICS GREAT AGAIN!
@Shekhar Ruparelia. I came across millions meanings of the acronym, MAGA, this nailed it best.
BRING HIM BACK SOON.
@fynes leigh
I DON'T UNDERSTAND WHAT YOU MEAN
Doubt he'd ever bring him back now. McWhorter associates with enemies of the Left.
This guy is the reason why I enjoy linguistics.
Achillea.....not to be a jerk....but isn't it "....the reason THAT..." and not "the reason why"!!
Miss Amazon To my knowledge, it’s perfectly fine to say "___ is the reason why ___." Some may take issue with the redundancy of saying "why," but as professor McWhorter says in the video and his podcasts, there really isn’t a "wrong" way to use a language.
@@WhatSoEverThingsAreLovely Not really. Why.
I love linguistics because of linguistics.
I’ve been watching his lecture courses on Wondrium and he is an amazing professor!
Looks like it wasn't expected how great this went. Please invite him back soon.
Oh, gosh, John McWhorter is endlessly entertaining. Thank you so much.
Get more people like this instead of singers and actors . Kovfefe
e.g. John could you please let me know what the hell a "Kovfefe" is.
Pity this interview was so short.
This was absolutely awesome! I could listen to this guy tell me about the evolution of words for hours...
I took an upper-division linguistic course taught be Prof McWhorter as undergraduate with a different major. He’s lectures were brilliant - a few hours a week of education driven humour. I’ve based my teaching style upon his approach. Colbert should have him back and prompt a story where McWorter has to draw a map!
I felt bad when Colbert said “I’m afraid we’ll have to leave it there”. McWhorter clearly hadn’t finished answering the question that had been asked of him
I probably think he was going to say something along the lines of how twitter has just spread trumps inconsistent use of language to a large audience
As much as I love this show, I don't know why they keep booking 3 guests in one night sometimes. It ruins the flow of the interviews.
banana high yeah i gas Mike noioso give me moreeee
But it was obvious Colbert loved his reply to that point. And although incomplete, it was a great parting sentence for the segment.
banana high your gay
What a delightful surprise to see John McHworter on the late show! One of my favorite linguists. He needs to be a regular on the show along with George Saunders!
Jesus Christ ..that was the harshest burn without swearing I've heard for a long while...the French good at burning ..super creative..but that was amazing:):):)
Have you heard his stance on anti racism?
The Neil DeGrasse Tyson of language. So enthusiastic about his subject. Love it!!!
Professor McWhorter may be a bit more humble, but no less accomplished.
@@hongkongcantonese501 who said he was less accomplished? What are you on about?
McWhorter: "It isn't cool to be 'woke' anymore"
Audience: **Silence**
McWhorter: "Trump bad"
Audience: **Cheers in frenzy**
Exactly what I was thinking. Glad someone else noticed.
antitrump asses everywhere but he rightly gives in their asses 🤣🤣
Maybe he won some fans at least and they've continued to follow his views on other things through this year like the Harper's letter.
the observation that "woke" is slowly becoming a pejorative wasn't really a laugh/applause line. we can give the audience credit for just not booing.
Why would anyone cheer at the first one. That's sad.
“Logorrheic verbal fantasia”. REKT
Nico Stadi YES!!!!👏🏼👏🏼💯😂😂😂😂🙌🏼🙌🏼🙌🏼
That's the most beautiful description of Trump's verbal diarrhea I've ever heard.
Nice, very nice!! XD
Flawlessly put, I could have listened to 10 more min of him
@@debbiedoodiedandi One thing I appreciate about Trump's stream of consciousness ramblings is that, unlike most other politicians who are so PC measured in their speach you don't know what the hell they are saying, he communicates effectively. One at least knows what he is thinking, warts and all.
Less celebrities, more guys like this! He was awesome!
fewer not less
@@marting5130 Thank you!
Why not more McWhorter?? Bring him back on!!
They wouldn't bring him back now because he is not a supporter of the blm movement. He has said that he is writing a book about anti racism as a religion.
@@GowithFlorence Which book is that?
@@johnf.hebert1409 he hasn't finished writing it yet. But look him up. He is on plenty of podcasts and videos on TH-cam.
Delve Design He also has an article out about antiracism as a religion. I think it was published in the Daily Beast
Also he had a very good debate where he explained why he believes antiracism is a religion. It was posted on the Reason TH-cam channel (Reason is a libertarian magazine)
As a student of linguistics, this is really interesting to me. I'd never heard of McWhorter before, but I'll definitely check out his podcast now.
As a linguistics student myself he’s all over on TED check him all my professor uses him all the time he’s great
Are you folks casual students of linguistics, or are enrolled in it academically? (or both?)
/I'm sincere and have ambiguous interest
I study English Language and Culture at the University of Leiden in the Netherlands. I assume Paige is a college student as well, based on the fact that she said her professors use McWhorter's material.
John McWhorter really needs to be in the forefront of intellectual discussion. Not only is the man just a font of reason, he's so eloquent and his cadence is so pleasant to listen to that its almost hypnotic.
I've heard about him through a world languages class I'm taking. He's a good public speaker and very interesting. I agree that the late show should have more people like this.
Dr. McWhorter is the real deal.
McWhorter has written some amazing books and done some awesome Great Courses lectures. He is always worth listening too.
5:15 This is the very first time I see McWorther laugh a really broad laughter. I always thought he had stiff cheek muscles, but as it turns out he has a wholesome laugh after all :D
An interesting point is that one Old English (Anglo-Saxon) word still exists in Modern English, but with a slight spelling modification - werewolf. WERE (pronunced Weh-reh) was an Anglo-Saxon word meaning man or person, so werewulf, or werewolf, literally means manwolf. But as it exists only in a specific folklore context, it's not used frequently enough to actually induce any change.
galinneall Cool info!!!🤗
"Wer" was actually Old German for "man" as well... today it's still "Werwolf" in German. "Wer" nowadays means "who"
Yes, of course, as Old English, or Anglo-Saxon, was a Germanic language, it had many cognates with other Germanic languages. It's interesting though, to see how these related languages have branched off and gone their own ways. I often wonder how Anglo-Saxon would have developed if the stinkin' Normans hadn't intervened. Damn them. Long live Harold Godwinson!
I love his podcast! And I’m so happy he kept his crazy poetic speech while being interviewed
This guy dominated possession in this interview
Alright, I love you again Stephen. I'm so glad that you bring people like this on your show.
Of course, maybe I shouldn't be surprised either that a Lexicographer would be so witty and well-spoken ;)
This was a wonderful treat... I wish my linguistics professor back in college was this engaging. Instead I had the misfortune of having a monotonous drone destroy all of my enthusiasm to learn the variables of language. We need more passionate and articulate professors like prof. McWhorter to inspire and pique our interests. I'm definitely going to listen to his podcast. ^_^
I love how Stephen Colbert lets him talk and get his ideas out without interruption.
I saw Prof McWhorter on CNN once...and now here...gotta check out his podcast...pls bring him on again and again!!!
I felt a lot smarter just listening to him
You're a tard.
apparently a concept lost on some people
Me too :)
Another example of euphemism treadmill is how we went from "fat" to "obese" to "overweight" to "plus size".
I wanted that interview to go on for an hour. Loved it. Please have him back.
When promoting a guest like this, it would be really nice if they would put a link in amongst all the other ones, that goes to said guest's work. I'd like to follow this guy now, and yeah, I'm gonna go look him up, I think his exposure would be dramatically increased if there was a direct link from here.
Darn, I wanted this interview to continue. Stephen, please have him come back soon. Will check out the podcast, definitely.
Guy absolutely NAILED it with his eloquent description of Trump’s speech patterns and vocabulary.
You should have given John McWhorter at least three times this much airtime. Actually, just give him an entire show.
terrific interview. too short. Not one Trumpster got a single word of it. This could have been a 20 minute segment.
It's really interesting how "anti-trump" he is, especially after you hear John's stance on racism. He takes a more conservative approach to the issue
@@poopoogigolo I think that anti-Trump remark was more of a throwaway statement while trying to roll with the banter. He was probably embarrassed it was made into such a clapping point. He's rational about Trump for the most part and has as much criticism for various people on the Left.
I love anything by him.
will crow …………… trumpkins level would be, "Fire bad !" .
Todd Jameson Yeah, I would’ve loved to hear the audience reaction had he verbalized his stance on racism and anti-racism.
Losing the race and winning the race are a couple of his books relating to his politics.
He is a senior fellow of the well known conservative, Manhattan Institute (I hesitate to say "token").
Linguistics is a great topic of study. Awesome interview, Stephen! Great guest!
i would actually watch a talk show live, instead of catching youtube clips later, if i could expect guests like this. more podcasters on the late night circuit please! as well as the return of authors and intellectuals and people who are on because they have something to say, rather than something to promote. every late night show has the same guests. colbert could be the one to have people on because they are actually interesting to talk to (imagine!). Dick Cavett did it for years against Carson. I think Colbert is the guy and this is the time to make a talk show with people worth talking to.
He's on the Glenn show every other week, it's on youtube!
McWhorter and Colbert...
Yes. Two of my very favorite.
Who could ask for more.
I wish he had more time :/. Going to tune in on his broadcasts ahaha.
So refreshingly informative/ Informatively refreshing. I could listen to this voice for hours.
He should start a twitter account that high brow insults trump.
@@waltersobchak7039 he's actually fairly middle of the road
@@waltersobchak7039 that doesn’t really retract from the fact that he’s shown clear distaste for Trump
Thank you for having a Linguist on! It gives hope to aspiring Anthropologists like myself to one day sit on that couch!
Dr. McWhorter is a rich resource; we need to see and hear more from him.
I love podcasts. And I love linguistics. How have I never heard of Lexicon Valley until now? Thank you Stephen!
So typical - just when it got interesting they stop the interview.
Verbal Fantasia. New phrase for describing garbage talk
Brilliant and entertaining! So is Lexicon Valley!
Colbert should have him on to talk about his book Woke Racism.
I JUST LOVE JOHN!
i need more of him!
why did he interrupt him??? he was on a roll!!!!
A lexicographer and a late night TV host having a conversation, and I am enraptured. God bless Stephen Colbert.
"logorrheic verbal fantasia" - Burn of the decade.
I imagine that the wonderful Professor McWhorter is now a persona non grata on the Colbert show.
logorrhea: excessive and often incoherent talkativeness or wordiness (in other words, verbal diarrhea)
This was so good! Please bring on Professor McWhorter again!
I could listen to this man all day.
Neil deGrass Tyson of words
@wings of a butterfly Apart from his major role in science communication, of course.
More interviews like this one, por favor. I really enjoy it, but please let them finish properly.
The problem with this interview is that it wasn’t long enough
Extended interview please!!
Hahahaha! Even Stephen did not see that one coming. I love to see his reactions.
Bring this guy back. He needs more time!
Having a great guest like McWhorter on is another reason to love Colbert. If you have any interest in linguistics at all, check out McWhorter's books.
Loved this!
I just came across this episode and it was definitely way too short. I could listen to this man for hours. He is intelligent, articulate and has a sense of humor to boot.
God I love that man. More people like John McWhorter please!!
I love this person. Words matter.
Thanksgiving with the McWhorters sounds like an awesome idea!
His wife is my childhood friend. Their Thanksgivings are legendary (in an awesome way)
He’s awesome - thank you!!
So much information!! More interviews like this one please ☝️
Awesomely astute man. Love the interview, Stephen.
Verbal Fantasia, with the hand movements.. You shattered my mind on that one.
Could you add a little more description of your guest in the description area, like where to find/listen to this guest podcasts for example? These are excellent guests and I personally would like to know more.
This guy is great. I first found out about him in a series of video lectures from 2012 on the history of human language. If you ever want some purely mental entertainment, just surf and view/read anything by him. You can't go wrong.
His book "Talking Back, Talking Black" is a nice little read.
I know words, i know the best words.
Well put and said about #45
I’ve listened to Lexicon Valley for YEARS and I think this is the first time I’ve ever actually seen McWhorter’s face. Fantastic interview.
My new favorite person!
Holy shit this dude is super interesting to listen to.
A riveting interview and a very decent chap!
Thanks for having him, one of my favorite podcasts as well.
Great author as well as guest! One of my faves! So interesting!!
Please have him back!!
John McWhorter is off the charts intelligent. It shows in the way he can explain the meanings of words without resorting to jargon. I just watched a video of his ehere he explained the feel of a language by whistling, and we all5 got it.
More of this, please and thankyou!🥰
I love hearing this guy talk
I honestly love the way he speaks.
That was awesome 👏Thank you for enlightening us about the President’s use of language, although I thought it was quite obvious anyway lol 😝
More of McWhorter, please. Loved it but way too short.
If nothing else, Mr. McWhorter's appearance reminds us of an unyielding truth:
Words fucking matter.