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Wordnik: Sanctions and Dictionary Day!

Friday, October 16, 2009

Over the next week Erin McKean, co-founder of wordnik.com and former editor of the Oxford American Dictionary, will discuss the buzz-worthy words you hear in the news and on the street.

Today: How "to sanction" and "to impose sanctions" can mean two opposite things. Plus, it's World Dictionary Day. Wordnik is tweeting a cool word each hour. How are you celebrating?

Guests:

Erin McKean

Comments [5]

perri from Brooklyn

Lisha N it's "Wordy Rappinghood" by the "Tom Tom Club."

Oct. 17 2009 08:06 PM
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Lisha N from Brooklyn, NY

Great show. What was the song that ended the Dictionary segment? Something about "eat your words"? Thanks!

Oct. 16 2009 12:06 PM
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rachel from manhattan

i was surprised your guest calls herself a word geek when she had such a beautiful opportunity to be a "word nerd"

Oct. 16 2009 11:59 AM
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John-Paul G from Elizabeth, NJ

Sanction is like cleave. One can cleave to a friend's bosom or cleave the flesh off your enemies.

Oct. 16 2009 11:58 AM
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Yun from cold office

Thanks for this guest Brian. Saw her TED talk and fell in love. She should get with James Mcwhatsisname or Ammon Shea and have linguist babies who don't police languages. yaay

Oct. 16 2009 11:51 AM
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