On radio he interviewed the famous but in his spare time Studs Terkel listened to “the etceteras” of history. And he heard America talking.

SPEAKING AMERICANThe AtticNovember 26, 2021Studs Terkel, American speech, Working, The Good War, Oral history Comment

MENCKEN GIVES 'AMERICAN' A FAIR SHAKE

First there was Webster, then Twain. But it took Mencken to celebrate how Americans really talk.

THE ATTIC READS. . . "THE PEOPLE'S TONGUE"

From “Who’s on First” to “A Hard Rain’s a’ Gonna Fall,” from “The Gettysburg Address” to “Green Eggs and Ham,” this delightful anthology lets you hear America talking.

SPEAKING AMERICAN, BOOK-ISHThe AtticNovember 19, 2021The People's Tongue, American English, The American Language, Ilan StavansComment

FIGHTIN' WORDS -- WEBSTER AND THE DICTIONARY WARS

Webster had his dictionary but it took an ugly war of words to win its place in American life.

SPEAKING AMERICAN, BOOK-ISHThe AtticNovember 11, 2021Noah Webster, Merriam-Webster, Joseph Worcester, Dictionary wars, DictionaryComment

HOW TO SPEAK AMERICAN -- THE BASICS

From denunciation to celebration, The Attic explores the unique language called American.

UNITED WE SPEAK... AMERICAN

You say "youse." I say "you guys." You say "pop." I say "soda." Let's call ourselves American.

SPEAKING AMERICANThe AtticFebruary 22, 2018American dialect, American speech Comments

IN LOVE WITH AMERICA'S NAMES

Intercourse, Hell, Boring, What Cheer...