Words on the Move: Why English Won’t – and Can’t – Sit Still (Like, Literally)

While it’s almost structured as a defense of the “misuse” of words such as literally and like, McWhorter’s book is a very thorough investigation on how and why language evolves. I listened to the audiobook as I felt it would be better to actually hear a book on language rather than read it. My only quibble was his pronunciation of the word Neanderthal as Neander-THALL rather than Neander-TALL. You see, I have had a single semester of anthropology and that pretty much makes me an expert on the subject. I have made it my life’s goal to correct people who say it with the TH sound. My expertise is my gift to the world.