Slate’s political and discussion podcast, Hear Me Out, launches March 21. Join host Celeste Headlee and a guest each week for a smart, fair debate on issues that matter.  In a nation where many of us have forgotten how to talk to each other, veteran journalist Celeste Headlee has devoted years to reinvigorating the art of civil conversation and debate. Each week on Hear Me Out, she'll invite a thoughtful guest to discuss their controversial perspective on a current issue, and engage in a tough, good-faith dialogue about the merits and drawbacks of their argument. The objective is to challenge conventional wisdom, and serve the intellectually curious new ideas and perspectives without partisan cliches. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On today’s episode of Spectacular Vernacular, Nicole and Ben take a trip down memory lane and put their knowledge of past guests to the test. They also interview the founder and CEO of Planet Word, Ann Friedman. And finally, we’re taking our final virtual trip, this time to Northern Ireland, for some cinematic wordplay. Thanks for listening and playing along with us!  Produced by Jasmine Ellis.  Here are some notes and references from this week’s show: Planet Word  Information on Planet Word’s new wordplay adventure, Lexicon Lane  Ann Friedman, “From the Founder: Disputes on the Language Front”  Subscribe to Slate Plus. It’s only $1 for the first month. To learn more, go to slate.com/spectacularplus. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On today’s episode of Spectacular Vernacular, Nicole and Ben talk about the difference between a dialect and a language as they revisit a prior conversation about Ukraine. They also interview Will Shortz, crossword puzzle editor at the New York Times, about how he got into the world of puzzles. And finally, our hosts are in the hot seat for a wordplay quiz set by the puzzle master himself. You don’t want to miss this! You could win a year’s membership to Slate Plus. Do you have any language questions or fun facts to share? Email us at [email protected]   Produced by Jasmine Ellis.  Here are some notes and references from this week’s show: Cambridge Language Surveys, “The Slavic Languages” (including Russian, Ukrainian, Bosnian, Croatian, and Serbian)  Phillip M. Carter, “Long before shots were fired, a linguistic power struggle was playing out in Ukraine” Information on the American Crossword Puzzle Tournament (April 1-3)  Register here for the ACPT’s non-competitive virtual event   Ben’s article on how Stephen Sondheim popularized cryptic crosswords in the U.S.  Ben, Nicole, and Will compete in Webster’s War of the Words, a fundraiser for the Noah Webster House Subscribe to Slate Plus. It’s only $1 for the first month. To learn more, go to slate.com/spectacularplus. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On today’s episode of Spectacular Vernacular, Nicole and Ben talk about the new Siri voices. They also interview Gretchen McCulloch and Lauren Gawne, hosts of Lingthusiasm, a podcast that's enthusiastic about linguistics. And finally, they put a listener’s anagram skills to the test. You don’t want to miss this! You could win a year’s membership to Slate Plus. Do you have any language questions or fun facts to share? Email us at [email protected]   Produced by Jasmine Ellis and June Thomas.  Here are some notes and references from this week’s show: Consumer Reports, “Hey Siri, Is That You? Apple’s New Voices Resonate With Some Black iPhone Users”  Spectacular Vernacular interview with VocalID founder Rupal Patel on “choosing your voice”  Axios, “Apple gives Siri a less gendered voice” Gretchen McCulloch and Lauren Gawne’s podcast, Lingthusiasm  Lingthusiasm on Patreon  Subscribe to Slate Plus. It’s only $1 for the first month. To learn more, go to slate.com/spectacularplus. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On today’s episode of Spectacular Vernacular, Nicole and Ben talk about the connection between football chants and language. They also interview Everdeen Mason, editorial director for games at the New York Times about her exciting role. And finally, our hosts are in the hot seat for this week’s wordplay. You don’t want to miss this! You could win a year’s membership to Slate Plus. Do you have any language questions or fun facts to share? Email us at [email protected]   Produced by Jasmine Ellis and Asha Saluja.  Here are some notes and references from this week’s show: Ben’s Wall Street Journal column, “’Who Dey?’: A Chant With Roots in Black History”  New York Times profile of Everdeen Mason  How to apply to the New York Times Diverse Crossword Constructor Fellowship  Washington Post article on “the latest reckoning over language in the puzzle world”  New York Times article on the acquisition of Wordle  Peter Gordon’s Fireball Crosswords  Subscribe to Slate Plus. It’s only $1 for the first month. To learn more, go to slate.com/spectacularplus. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices