Word Matters

About Word Matters

Word Matters is a show for readers, writers, and anyone who's curious about the English language. Join Merriam-Webster editors as they challenge supposed grammar rules, reveal the surprising origins behind words, tackle common questions, and generally geek out about the beautiful nightmare that is our language.

Publisher

Merriam-Webster, New England Public Media

Category

arts · education

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

4 Aug 2020

Latest episode

6 May 2026

Latest episodes

3 of 106 episodes have a transcript.

1. 

   6 May 2026

   The Making of Merriam-Webster's Collegiate Dictionary, Twelfth Edition

   While the famous Merriam-Webster.com online dictionary is constantly being updated, creating a new edition of our Collegiate Dictionary print book is a different matter. We'd been updating it regularly since its publication in 2003, but it wasn't until fall of 2025 that we released a brand-new edition, different from all those that preceded it. Here's the story of the making of Merriam-Webster's Collegiate Dictionary, Twelfth Edition.Hosted by Emily Brewster and Peter Sokolowski.With many thanks to New England Public Media for the use of their studios, and deep appreciation for our producer, John Voci.Transcript available [here](https://www.merriam-webster.com/word-matters-podcast/an-introduction-to-merriam-websters-collegiate-dictionary-twelfth-edition). See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

2. 

   15 Jul 2025TRANSCRIPT

   An Interview with John Morse, Part 3

   Part three of a three-part interview with John Morse, former president and publisher of Merriam-Webster Hosted by Emily Brewster and Peter Sokolowski. Produced in collaboration with New England Public Media, with much gratitude to John Voci. Transcript available here. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

3. 

   11 Jul 2025TRANSCRIPT

   An Interview with John Morse, Part 2

   Part two of a three-part interview with John Morse, former president and publisher of Merriam-Webster Hosted by Emily Brewster and Peter Sokolowski. Produced in collaboration with New England Public Media, with much gratitude to John Voci. Transcript available here. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Inside a recent episode

An Interview with John Morse, Part 3

Published 15 Jul 2025 · Transcript excerpt

[…] And so we were never able to get that URL, which I think is kind of interesting and ironic because we had put so much effort into protecting the Miriam Webster name during the print era because of the confusion over the Webster's name. And not just Webster, Miriam Webster and really driving home that the Miriam's side. […]

Reach and audience

Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.

Apple Podcasts (US)

4.9 / 5

488 ratings

Spotify

4.9 / 5

107 ratings

Podcast Authority Score: 54 / 100

A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.

Quality

72

Social presence

0

YouTube

0

Engagement

91

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Guest appearances

Books guests

Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting guests.

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