Uploaded May 2025 | Updated September 2026, 13 hours ago
This powerful and provocative conversation dives deep into the evolving landscape of language—exploring how certain words become taboo, why we get canceled for phrases that were once acceptable, and who really holds the power in today’s discourse. The speakers tackle everything from swearing in the home to linguistic shifts caused by social media, generational divides, and the complicated balance between free speech and social sensitivity.
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Through stories about offensive place names, George Carlin’s seven forbidden words, and the generational clash of prescriptivists versus descriptivists, this video raises urgent questions about whether we’re policing language too harshly—or not harshly enough. Is saying "you guys" a problem? Does swearing make us stronger? And can a word like “lewd” truly be reclaimed once we learn its origins?
Ultimately, this presentation offers a funny, intelligent, and deeply human look at our cultural anxieties around speech. Whether you're a free speech absolutist or a champion of inclusive language, this video will challenge your assumptions, make you laugh, and maybe even make you think twice before your next “F-bomb.”
Valerie Fridland is a sociolinguist, author, and professor of English at the University of Nevada, Reno, specializing in the intersection of language, society, and identity. With a Ph.D. in linguistics, her research explores how gender, regional dialects, and social attitudes shape the way we speak. She is the author of Like, Literally, Dude: Arguing for the Good in Bad English, and a frequent public speaker who demystifies linguistic trends with wit and academic rigor.
Clay Jenkinson is a humanities scholar, public intellectual, and award-winning radio host best known for his portrayals of historical figures like Thomas Jefferson on The Thomas Jefferson Hour. A Rhodes Scholar and author of numerous books, Jenkinson explores the American character through history, literature, and constitutional thought. He combines deep scholarship with humor and performance to engage audiences in vital civic and cultural conversations.
This powerful and provocative conversation dives deep into the evolving landscape of language—exploring how certain words become taboo, why we get canceled for phrases that were once acceptable, and who really holds the power in today’s discourse. The speakers tackle everything from swearing in the home to linguistic shifts caused by social media, generational divides, and the complicated balance between free speech and social sensitivity.
Please like, subscribe and click the bell icon above to get notifications when we post new videos!
Join our mailing list to get advance info on our upcoming programs and to sign up for livestreams: signup.e2ma.net/signup/1887647/1895526
We rely on our donors to keep our programming going, please donate here: vailsymposium.org/donate
Through stories about offensive place names, George Carlin’s seven forbidden words, and the generational clash of prescriptivists versus descriptivists, this video raises urgent questions about whether we’re policing language too harshly—or not harshly enough. Is saying "you guys" a problem? Does swearing make us stronger? And can a word like “lewd” truly be reclaimed once we learn its origins?
Ultimately, this presentation offers a funny, intelligent, and deeply human look at our cultural anxieties around speech. Whether you're a free speech absolutist or a champion of inclusive language, this video will challenge your assumptions, make you laugh, and maybe even make you think twice before your next “F-bomb.”
Valerie Fridland is a sociolinguist, author, and professor of English at the University of Nevada, Reno, specializing in the intersection of language, society, and identity. With a Ph.D. in linguistics, her research explores how gender, regional dialects, and social attitudes shape the way we speak. She is the author of Like, Literally, Dude: Arguing for the Good in Bad English, and a frequent public speaker who demystifies linguistic trends with wit and academic rigor.
Clay Jenkinson is a humanities scholar, public intellectual, and award-winning radio host best known for his portrayals of historical figures like Thomas Jefferson on The Thomas Jefferson Hour. A Rhodes Scholar and author of numerous books, Jenkinson explores the American character through history, literature, and constitutional thought. He combines deep scholarship with humor and performance to engage audiences in vital civic and cultural conversations.
