The Word's Worth

245 Episodes

Reverse

Plug It, Mute It, or Hear It

2023-08-1108:52

The words for things that shut out sound and let you hear it are the same in Russian. Of course they are.

Alexei Navalny and the Secret List of Forbidden Words

2023-08-0409:44

It's hard to know where general language ends and criminal slangs begins.

And Yet It's Nevertheless, All the Same, After All

2023-07-2808:37

The joy of particles (not).

A Guide to Giving a Bribe in Russian

2023-07-2108:20

What you say when you bribe depends on whether you want something or they want something.

Who is Gulya and Why Do We Care About Her Nose?

2023-07-1408:30

The preposition "c" has some weird constructions.

Spitting, Eating Your Teeth and Other Weird Gestures

2023-07-0708:35

When a person eats his teeth, is that bad or good? Or even possible?

Take Your Pick: Mutiny, Coup, Uprising or Nothing

2023-06-3010:59

What happened last week is a changing story that depends on speaker, day, mood and the subjunctive.

Wait - What Russian Month is This?

2023-06-2310:23

If you thought you knew the names of the months in Russian, think again.

What's in a Name? With Russian Holidays - Everything

2023-06-1612:12

This week Russia celebrated Russia Day. If you have no idea what that holiday is, join the gang.

A Gathering of Witches, Dues, Herbs and Classmates

2023-06-0908:37

Сбор and сборы are unusual words: sometimes the singular and plural forms have unrelated meanings.

Buy a Brilliant and Applaud an Artist

2023-06-0208:40

Oh, those false friends... every translator's nightmare.

Tricks of the Trade

2023-05-1209:52

Using the right verb and the right case to express changing and exchanging is a big headache.

Under the Mighty Oak I Sit, Stupidly

2023-05-0510:04

Sitting on stumps, falling out of trees and stepping in rotten logs figure prominently in Russian expressions.

The Cat Cried and Ran By

2023-04-2811:15

Cats are popular pets In Russia but unpopular in folk expressions.

Serving and Not Serving in the Military

2023-04-2108:47

The confusing terminology of conscripts, reservists and draft dodgers.

Two Words, Three Letters and Ten Meanings

2023-04-1408:48

Oh, the joy of little Russian words.

How a Saint Becomes a Sinner

2023-04-0709:34

How some Russian words change meaning in and out of church.

Of Courtyards, Grifters and Days Off

2023-03-3109:13

All about things and people that pass by, pass through, and ought to pass off forever.

Shame That is Cringeworthy

2023-03-2407:57

Understanding teenagers is a struggle that makes you cringe.

Of Ear Noodles and Maniacal Printers

2023-03-1710:14

How you can spend a day translating three words.

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