Science Diction

583

What does the word “meme” have to do with evolutionary biology? And why do we call it “Spanish flu” when it was never Spanish? Science Diction is a podcast about words—and the science stories within them. If you like your language with a side of science, Science Diction has you covered. Brought to you by Science Friday and WNYC Studios.

Recent Episodes
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Recent Reviews
  • Nickname8375
    Wonderful
    I really like what you’ve done here. I appreciate the format of 1 word per show with enough story to get into it, but it doesn’t drag on. I don’t find my attention wandering like with some podcasts. The host is great. I’m not bothered by “vocal fry” as others are, her voice is fine. The feeling is of a friend telling me an interesting thing they learned over lunch. Can’t wait for more episodes! Update: please come make more I miss this show!!
  • lagringacabronalameramera
    Vundebar
    One of the best shows ever - informative & fun & well done - please come back
  • Stewartrion
    I miss Science Diction
    I really miss the podcast Science Diction! I’m sorry to hear that a few grumpy folks ran you off! Please consider coming back Johanna!
  • Serenity_7
    Farewell
    I’m so sad you guys are leaving, but I’m glad you’re keeping the episodes here for us to hear again. Thank you for all the fun!
  • Ccsnguyen
    I can’t listen to her voice
    I very much would like to listen to this podcast. However I cannot stand the valley-girl voice of the host. Please get a new host.
  • ghfhgvhgvjhghjnhg
    When are you going to make a new episode!?!?!?!?!
    it has been over a month sense you made a new episode! This is my favorite podcast but I can’t wait a over a month for a new episode!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
  • ICUdoc1
    Fried from vocal fry
    I just attempted to listen to this episode. I gave up between 8-9 minutes in. This was exceptionally poorly presented. The presenter didn’t even attempt to define the term until well into the podcast, where (at around 6 1/2 minutes in) she finally allowed someone to give a vague description. (She had earlier started a TV segment but cut it off before the definition could come out.) A more detailed description didn’t appear until after 8+ minutes. In the interim, there were innumerable uses of the terms “vocal fry” or “fry”. If you are going to utilize such a vague term, at least make an effort to define it UP FRONT in the podcast. I am a physician and this would be analogous to me starting a long conversation with a patient using an arcane medical term and not defining its meaning until the patient was going out the door. I truly tried to make it through this very poorly constructed presentation, however the sloppy terminology and “valley girl” vocal inflections of the host (so many statements end up sounding like questions) that I had to quit. Regrettably, when I listen to the podcasts I can now only focus on the host’s vocal quality. This is a good podcast concept, hindered but suboptimal organization and presentation. I suggest you look elsewhere for entertainment.
  • Juanhooknows
    Intolerable vocal fry
    I can’t believe the host was given a green light to publish a self serving, condescending episode defending their lazy intolerable speaking voice. This is not about gender. This is about speaking in a professional adult manner. What’s even more galling is WNYC’s failure to insist that the millennials they hire, male or female, lose the adolescent way of speaking that they carry into adulthood. As for the host’s bold declaration “I will not get a vocal coach”. Great. Judging by the reviews a number of people have made. A large group of us “WILL NEVER LISTEN TO YOUR INFURIATING, OBNOXIOUS VOICE AGAIN “. Are YOU listening WNYC ? The host also states women all over NPR speak this way. No Johanna only millennial women. The generation that brought us influencers is the generation most easily influenced it appears. Corva Coleman, MaryLouise Kelly, Audie Cornish. These women all understand speaking in a professional manner for broadcasters. Thank heaven no one will offer you their jobs
  • AK Transplanted
    Stop the Vocal Fry!! Updated
    Honestly, I love the content. It’s well-written and engaging. But the host speaks with a vocal fry that makes her sound a little like an adolescent. This is a podcast, folks! Clean up your diction! Post Vocal Fry Episode Update: While I enjoyed the history of the topic, which this podcast always does well, the host lost me when she accused all those who don’t appreciate her vocal fry as being sexist. Does she understand that her listeners are NPR listeners? Does she understand this audience at all? Also, these are people who listen to the podcast, knowing full well that the host is a woman. Sorry, the accusations of sexism just fall short. Plus, vocal fry is also grating in men. The reality is that any good, professional journalist is going to clean up their voice to be on radio. This doesn’t mean that they lose their individuality or any distinctness that is their claim to fame. It just means that we can understand everything they say. This show is very good and has a lot of promise. I hope that the host doesn’t let herself get in the way of what it can be.
  • ivory Ivy
    The pleasures of time well spent
    I love the deep dives into topics that are everyday matters but don’t get air time. Each episode is a delving into curious facts, histories, possibilities and interviews and each enlivens my moments the way sneaking in a little browsing in the library does. This is exactly what I was looking for. Thank you so much. Long may your imaginations and endeavors prosper. I look forward to hearing the next episode.
  • 👍👍👍👍👍.
    👍👍👍👍👍
    👍👍👍👍👍 👍👍👍👍👍 👍👍👍👍👍 Awesome show
  • lana dray
    Host needs to knock off the fake valley girl accent
    The info is ok in this show, but it’s impossible to listen to because of the host’s annoying voice. She puts on this fake, irritating valley girl accent and it’s so stupid. Throws any credibility right out the window. She needs to ask herself why she feels the need to talk like that. It’s so bad that a caller actually called her out on it. She swears it’s her real voice, but come on. No child talks like that. No credible adult talks like that. It’s staged and a stupid choice because she loses listeners that way. She lost me!
  • Lisa Nickname57
    Five for content; one for delivery
    The vocal fry epi was ridiculously condescending. There are plenty of men’s voices that annoy me just as much, and that doesn’t make me anti-men. Don’t be lazy. I’ve been listening to your podcast because I appreciated and respected the content and the work that went into it. But I’m unfollowing now because I don’t need to be insulted any more than you do. Vocal fry in English does not convey meaning as it does in the languages you cite. At most and at best it conveys nuance. And I get that everyone does it, but you do it more than any other professional public speaker I’ve ever listened to. Don’t blame others if they notice it.
  • Wendell Welles
    Vocal Fried Cosmic Crispiness
    Just listened to the vocal fry episode and I just gotta say I love the hosts voice. She definitely reminded me of a valley girl in the very first episode I listened to but her voice quickly grew on me and I don’t even notice it anymore. Love this podcast. It gets a thumbs up if for no other reason than introducing me to the Cosmic Crisp Apple, though it definitely has a lot more to offer than fruit suggestions.
  • 5 Star Review! 😆
    Finally writing!
    I love the show! I love your voice! I can’t say I even noticed anything about your voice. It shouldn’t have taken hearing a jerk review to make me write but here it is. Looking forward to more!
  • Fredbomb1289
    Vocal fry
    The vocal fry episode reeks of white privilege. If people of color constantly have to clean up the way they talk in the professional world you have no complaint. I can’t believe you guys did an entire episode on being able to clown in the professional world. I guess white tears get priority to air frivolous grievances.
  • Al2O3 Corundum
    QUEEN
    I love this show. I thoroughly enjoy every story and fact that this show brings to my ears, and I love how thoughtfully the host (and writers) deal with each topic. She is an inspiration to this young woman in STEM.
  • kunlaou
    hmmm fry chip on shoulder?
    First of all, men use this awful affectation also. But they didn’t used to. Neither did women. Sure, there were some folks with a very naturally deep voice, man or woman. Vocal fry is a drag on the throat, not a deep voice. It has indeed existed before—in the 80s, around the same time people started saying things like ‘he goes’ instead of he said, and using the word ‘like’ all over the place, without reason. However, that particular combination of valley girl from the 80s and a drag on the voice is new to millennials. Men and women. And yes, it has a visceral effect on some of our ears. Not the drag alone, or the valley girl alone (close), but the combination of the two. We don’t say this to be mean. I have a great deal of empathy and understand we’ll as a feminist how the outspoken complaints are in large part misogynist. That’s unfortunate. Some of us however, many of us in fact, are legitimately and viscerally unable to listen without a feeling of revulsion. Like nails on a chalkboard (which doesn’t bother me). Your show is interesting and relevant, and so I do my best I do my best to learn to deal with it — after all it isn’t going away. That said it would be very sad if you made the assumption that the majority of us who comment about our natural reaction are all doing so out of a slight towards women. I am just as disturbed by a young man with a vocal fry as any woman, I have been proud to be a feminist my entire adult life and prepared to learn and change and adapt. But since things are what they are, apparently like your voice. :). love and skittles
  • Mumjoy
    Keep On Fryin’
    This is the most delightful, informative, and good-humored show committed to exploring scientific topics with wonder and unpretentious curiosity. AND I LOVE your voice!!! Don’t change it! In fact, from the first episode, it was the voice that hooked me, and the intelligent content that reeled me in and kept me coming back. Thanks!
  • Platinum gal
    Love Hannah
    Especially her voice !!
  • m.a.miller518
    Awesome show
    This show is so good. And your voice is great! Phooey on all those haters.
  • Bay Belle
    What an a$$hole & what a great response
    I’m listening to the latest episode and burning from within listening to that man critique another person‘s voice in some of the harshest and most crass terms. I am so impressed that rather than cussing him out as I did while listening, you used this as an opportunity to respond with science and research and thoughtfulness. He was truly a jerk and dismissive of something that millions of people deal with as their natural voice. But your response, this episode, and pretty much everything about the show are the reason why you guys are awesome and you have a show and he doesn’t. Can’t wait for the next exit!
  • space e cadet
    Keep your vocal fry!
    I’m a woman of a similar age. This show is extremely listenable - excellent in fact. Your voice is perfect. Ignore the sexist boomers. (Doesn’t help that the dude who complained sounded exactly like my boss).
  • cantaloupe0114
    Vocal fry is akin to body language..
    Asking why the spoken delivery is “more” important than the words spoken is akin to asking why body language matters. “Yeah, right” delivered with an eye roll means something totally different than “yeah right” delivered with a smile. Excessive vocal fry is conveying a meaning on top of the words used. The fact that let people can talk without it tells you that how and when it’s used it is an overlay to what is being spoken. .
  • DupontDude83
    Love it
    I’ve loved this podcast from the beginning and today’s episode on vocal try was especially good!
  • Ohio Vick
    Podcast on Voice Fry - comment
    I couldn’t believe the caller complaining about natural voices of you & women in general on the radio/podcasts. I enjoy the variety of voices, men & women, on the radio/podcasts instead of a Vanilla World; makes it more real to me. Best wishes on more episodes! Thank you
  • Vic’s Apple Acct
    Vocal fry on this woman’s voice is grating
    Sounds like a spoiled teen.
  • JWAthehut
    Great Squared
    I love this podcast so much I went back to Episode 1 to start all over again. Thanks
  • Bobbinyc
    Vocal Fry
    This is such a good podcast. However interesting the host’s vocal fry makes me not want to listen. It really is hard on the ears.
  • coldtakeout
    Wonderful!
    Just sorry I ran out of episodes today…
  • stadoza
    Fascinating and fun podcast!
    I love this podcast! I have always been interested in etymology, so this podcast is perfect for me. It is well-researched, fun to listen to, and so interesting. And each episode is the right amount of time for you to learn something without losing interest. The host is great too. Definitely recommend checking this one out.
  • . Better than the Original!
    Pleasant find!
    Love this show. I wish the episodes were longer but science, history, and etymology together at last!
  • jooliagoolialee
    How do you give 5+ stars?!
    I’m addicted to Science Diction! Love that they cover a spectrum of fascinating topics, especially the latest series about the rise of the Myers-Briggs. As someone that’s produced podcasts, I can tell that the team of storytellers behind this show put a lot of time and energy in researching, synthesizing and crafting these stories!
  • wilfulgreen
    🥲
    My fault for having expectations It’s not you it’s me
  • elenaedi
    Love it!!
    I haven’t been binging all episodes since yesterday when I discovered the podcast. If you’re a science and language nerd this is your podcast! Thank you Science Diction team, you’re awesome
  • Layla Eller
    More Episodes Please!
    This is my favorite podcast. I always listen to it first when there is a new episode. If you have even a casual interest in science and etymology, this is the podcast for you. I can’t recommend it enough.
  • LRJalarned
    WWF
    Just wondering……. Syzygy. Gonna play that in WordsWithFriends.
  • Marmo6
    Fun, engaging, informative
    I binged all the episodes of this podcast almost immediately after learning about it. I thought all the episodes were on interesting topics, all were thought provoking and sent me down the path of wanting to know more about the topics and hear more episodes. As for the people who have a problem with her voice, I guess you just have to feel sorry for them. How do they function in the world if they can’t listen to normal speaking voices, must drive them to lashing out in podcast reviews, or worse!
  • N2GJ
    Don’t Miss This!
    I listened to the show last year as episodes were released. This AM I binge-listened to the entire 2021 season so far! I highly recommend the podcast for its well-researched content, its clever infusion of wit, and the delightful way they weave these stories into an enjoyable tapestry. Keep up the great work! ❤️😊
  • Avg Joe Baker
    Absolutely underrated
    Simply a fascinating and well produced podcast. Short and yet incredibly in depth, I leave every episode going "huh" at least a handful of times.
  • Verpflichtet
    Cannot tolerate the vocal fry
    The research and topics are wonderful. I can’t last a minute listening to the vocal fry of the host’s voice.
  • 77t-bird77
    16 Intovert
    This was my first science diction podcast and I found it did not satisfy my desire for SCIENCE. At one point there was the mention of dopamine and it’s possible roll in how we express our personality. No mention was made of oxytocin: the metabolic pathways or genetic SNPs that affect this chemical. Catecholaminergic and cholinergic neurons, norepinephrine can increase or decrease oxytocin release by acting via α-receptors or β-receptors, respectively. Opioid peptides appear to inhibit oxytocin release. Ok that enough on “nature” and to give a nod to “nurture” an investigation into how our early life experiences sets us up for personality habits: mimicking a same-sex parent, adverse childhood events might be addressed. In general I found the subject was rife with “old school” psychology divorcing the mind from the body/brain chemical soup.
  • ZaphodBBrox
    Vocal Fry
    The content is great but the host's vocal fry is almost too distracting to bear.
  • Flakeyjake
    Great Podcast
    Excellent work with the simple, yet in-depth presentations fascinating word histories. Thank you.
  • Herr Arboles
    Introvert: The invention of a type
    A most interesting view into a subject that touches us all, and extremely well presented. Good story development holds the listeners interest start to finish
  • Sujabr
    Interesting podcast but vocal fry drove me away
    But vocal fry of host made it too uncomfortable to listen
  • MagReputo
    Vocal fry
    Program is good but extreme vocal fry is too distracting
  • Steve Gnatz
    Mesmerized
    Thanks for this podcast! It is good to hear another spin on the theory of Mesmer. I recently published a historical fiction novel entitled The Wisdom of the Flock: Franklin and Mesmer in Paris that adds a bit more substance to the framework that you outlined - and gives my own interpretation through the lens of Benjamin Franklin. Like you, I think that Mesmer was on to something - but what exactly? Once again, bravo!
  • Abbydooda
    a fun, short and informative podcast
    perfect easy listening and gives me new fun facts!
  • Voice of Experience
    Great podcast
    Love the format, content and the presenter’s vocal tone & delivery. I think the presenter is professional with excellent timing and does a thorough job. Well done.
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