wordwatching

At the crossroads of language and culture

Dedicated to the study of language variation and change in American English, with special regard to the West, pop lyrics, and social media.

Variants of "beer" in Top 30 music (1951-2015)

October 01, 2016 by Lamont Antieau in lexical variation, lyric analysis, music video essay

A lexical analysis of "beer" variants in songs from Billboard's year-end Top 30 charts (1951-2015) and a music video essay, featuring songs from Wings, Climax Blues Band, Montell Jordan, Nelly, Pink, and Hank Williams.

"Birthday" in Top 30 music (1951-2015)

September 29, 2016 by Lamont Antieau in music video essay

A music video essay of Billboard year-end Top 30 songs (1951-2015) that include the word "birthday," featuring songs by The Crests, Outkast, and Bruno Mars, among others.

Variants of "dragonfly" in the Rocky Mountains

September 25, 2016 by Lamont Antieau in lexical variation, corpus dialectology, Western American English

Variants of the term dragonfly in the Linguistic Atlas of the Middle Rockies.

"Downtown" in Top 30 music

August 19, 2016 by Lamont Antieau in music video essay

A music video essay comprising songs from Billboard's year-end Top 30 charts (1951-2015) featuring the compound word downtown. Includes video clips from Junior Walker and the All-Stars, The Hollies, Sweet, Eddie Kendricks, Bob Seger, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Marcy Playground, and Rihanna.

"Wall(s)" in American Pop Music

August 14, 2016 by Lamont Antieau in music video essay

A music video essay on the use of wall(s) in Billboard's year-end Top 10 charts (1951-2015), with videos of songs by David Bowie, Pink Floyd, and The Style Council.

Superheroes in pop music

August 11, 2016 by Lamont Antieau in music video essay

This music video essay takes a look at superheroes in Top 30 music and includes clips by Donovan, 3 Doors Down, Timbaland, Eminem, and Jim Croce.

"Hotter than &%$#!"

August 01, 2016 by Lamont Antieau in corpus dialectology

A post looking at variation expressions for "the weather is hotter than" in the Linguistic Atlas of the Middle Rockies.

"Weekend" in pop music

May 06, 2016 by Lamont Antieau in music video essay

A music video essay of songs from the Billboard year-end Top 30 charts (1951-2015) that include the word weekend. Includes videos of songs by Janet Jackson, Jamie Foxx, and George Benson.

Variants of "flat-topped hill" in the Middle Rockies

May 04, 2016 by Lamont Antieau in corpus dialectology, lexical variation, weekly recap, Western American English, dialectology

Lexical variants meaning 'flat-topped hill' used by informants in the Linguistic Atlas of the Middle Rockies

Four-wheeled vehicles in pop music

May 02, 2016 by Lamont Antieau in lyric analysis

A post about what people call various types of vehicles -- as well as makes and models -- in songs from the Billboard year-end Top Ten charts (1951-2015).

Planetary pop music

April 29, 2016 by Lamont Antieau in music video essay, lyric analysis

A post on planets referred to in songs from Billboard's year-end Top 30 music charts (1951-2015), featuring videos by Blondie, Prince, David Bowie, Lenny Kravitz, Stevie Wonder, and others.

Variant terms for male horses in the Linguistic Atlas of the Middle Rockies

April 26, 2016 by Lamont Antieau in corpus dialectology, dialectology, language variation, lexical variation, Western American English

A post on variants used for male horses in the Linguistic Atlas of the Middle Rockies

Shakespeare in pop music

April 24, 2016 by Lamont Antieau in music video essay

A music video essay comprising American pop songs that include references to the works of William Shakespeare. Includes videos by The Pointer Sisters, Dire Straits, and Bruce Springsteen.

Pop music for Earth Day 2016

April 22, 2016 by Lamont Antieau in music video essay

A music video essay featuring songs with the word earth in their lyrics for Earth Day 2016. Includes videos by Elvis Presley, Roberta Flack, David Bowie, and John Lennon.

"Brother" and "sister" in pop music

April 10, 2016 by Lamont Antieau in lyric analysis

A post discussing terms for siblings used in pop music. Includes a video featuring Marvin Gaye and links to videos of songs by Bill Withers, Little Eva, and Train.

the running shoe debate

April 08, 2016 by Lamont Antieau in corpus dialectology

Terms for "running shoes" in several corpora, particularly Twitter

Holiday names in pop music

March 27, 2016 by Lamont Antieau in lyric analysis

Holiday names in songs from Billboard's year-end Top 30 charts (1951-2015). Includes videos by Rosemary Clooney and Ella Mae Morse.

The rise and fall of "shorty" in popular music

March 24, 2016 by Lamont Antieau in lyric analysis, music video essay

Use of the word shorty in pop music. Includes videos by TLC and Katy Perry.

The four seasons in pop music

March 20, 2016 by Lamont Antieau in lyric analysis, music video essay

The names of the four seasons in Top 10 songs (1951-2015). Includes videos of songs by, of course, Terry Jacks and, of course, Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons.

"Clock" in Top Ten songs (1951-2015)

March 13, 2016 by Lamont Antieau in music video essay

The word clock in Top Ten music (1951-2015). Includes videos of songs by Bill Haley and the Comets, Bobbie Lewis, Elton John, Heart, and Cheap Trick.