Organizing the ABCs
b'From A to Z
Guest:\\xa0Judith Flanders, writer, social historian, and author of "A Place for Everything: The Curious History of Alphabetical Order"\\xa0
We take our ABCs for granted, including the reason why the alphabet is in a certain order. But it was surprisingly not always obvious that ABCs were the best way to to order the world. This history spans centuries, and understanding why we place such importance on this (seemingly arbitrary) organizational system can explain a lot.
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Dictionary Wars
Guest: Peter Martin, author, \\u201cThe Dictionary Wars: The American Fight over the English Language\\u201d
The American Revolution fought to preserve our rights to life, liberty, and pursuit of happiness--and also our right to cultural independence through our language. The battle over American language played out between lexicographers and the public, with the question of patriotism hanging over the whole debate, because in America, unlike in England, the dictionary was like the Bible.'