“You are the scum of soy paste!” In Japan, that odd phrase is just one of a number of common insults that children say to each other. Swearing and cursing is as old as language and tonight on Inquiry we look at the cultural differences of telling someone off in no uncertain terms. We speak with linguist and editor STEPHEN DODSON. With Dr. Vanderplank of the Oxford University Language Center, Dodson has written an informative look at put downs from around the world titled UGLIER THAN A MONKEY’S ARMPIT: UNTRANSLATABLE INSULTS, PUT DOWNS AND CURSES FROM AROUND THE WORLD.
Thursday, September 10, 2009 - 9:32am
JESSE SHEIDLOWER is a lexicographer and an Editor at Large for the Oxford English Dictionary. He has complied a rather unique lexicon focusing on the “f” word: it’s origins, many uses, initialisms and euphemisms. If you have ever wondered about the origins of a term like “dropping the “F” bomb”, then tune into tonight as we have a serious etymological discussion about THE F-WORD, the title of Sheidlower’s book. (and, no, we never “drop the F-bomb” while doing so.). Jesse will be doing public readings from his book. To check his speaking schedule go to: http://www.jessesword.com/fword/calendar/
Thursday, September 10, 2009 - 9:29am
Inquiry welcomes back MELISSA STEWART, an author who has written over 100 books for young audiences, many about the natural world. Her latest book is UNDER THE SNOW, which introduces children to what creatures like a Mourning Cloak Butterfly, a ladybug or a Red-Spotted Newt are doing when the temperature drops below freezing and a thick blanket of snow lays across the land. This book is part of a series, which also includes WHEN THE RAIN FALLS. If you have children or grandchildren and would like to introduce them to the wonders of the natural world, be sure to tune in! Be sure to also check out Melissa’s website: http://www.melissa-stewart.com/
Wednesday, September 9, 2009 - 10:15am
In February 1979, a chartered Cessna carrying 11-year old Norman
Olstead, his father, his father’s girlfriend and the pilot, crashed
into Southern California’s San Gabriel Mountains. Norman’s father -- a
man who was both his coach and hero—was dead, his girlfriend soon to
follow. Suspended at over 8,000 feet and engulfed in a blizzard, the
grief-stricken boy descended the icy mountain alone. Putting his
father’s passionate lessons to work, Norman defied the elements and
made it through alive -- the sole survivor of the crash. As he told the
Los Angeles Times after his ordeal, “My dad told me never to give up.”
Wednesday, September 9, 2009 - 6:09am
Inquiry welcomes internationally recognized watercolorist, oil painter and author LARS JONSSON. A plein aire painter following in the tradition of Winslow Homer and Anders Zorn, Lars Jonsson typically paints birds and other natural history subjects with a special interest in the complex and subtle effects of light. Tune in tonight for a fascinating discussion of how he approaches painting in the out of doors and why certain birds like eiders are a never ending source of inspiration. The latest collection of Lars Jonsson’s work is LARS JONSSON’S BIRDS: PAINTING FROM A NEAR HORIZON.
Friday, September 4, 2009 - 3:41pm
With passion and patience the husband and wife team of Fiona and Hal
Barnett created Barnett vineyard and winery in 1983. Fiona who was
trained as a CPA and Hal as a real estate developer left successful
careers back in 1983 with the intent of producing small amounts of hand
crafted Cabernet Sauvignon wines from their estate on Californias famed
Spring Mountain. Looking back Hal says the gamble and the experience
was worth it. Tune in as this week as I speak with Hal about his life
and work.
Tuesday, September 1, 2009 - 9:51am
Lena Horne remains one of the most talented, beautiful, difficult and complex artists of our times. Singer, movie actress, Broadway performer and civil rights activist, Lena Horne seemed to have it all. But only rarely did she ever relax enough to appreciate what she had accomplished. Her mantra through her life has been “never hope too hard, it never pans out.” Find out why tonight when we welcome back writer JAMES GAVIN who has written a dynamic, monumental and intimate biography of this amazing woman titled STORMY WEATHER: THE LIFE OF LENA HORNE.
Friday, August 28, 2009 - 11:54am
Led Zeppelin, Kiss, Stevie Nicks, Nirvana, Warren Zevon. These are just a few of the rockers that journalist, PR person and manager DANNY GOLDBERG has worked with over his many decades in the business end of rock. Tune in tonight as Danny shares a few of his stories about trying to get some press for a Zeppelin that critics hated, or his helplessness at seeing Kurt Cobain descend into addiction. Goldberg’s amazing memoir is BUMPING INTO GENUISES: MY LIFE INSIDE THE ROCK AND ROLL BUSINESS.
Monday, August 24, 2009 - 8:30am
During the past few months we've spoken with winemakers and wineries especially the women in wine. This time we shift gears and talk with the people who bring the wines from around the world to America. One such person is Brian Larky.In 1989 Brian moved back to the U.S. after five years as winemaker at the prestigious Italian estate Ca’ del Bosco. Wanting to bring Italy’s finest wines to American tables at affordable prices, he founded Dalla Terra Importers in 1990. Before working in Italy Brian earned a U.C. Davis Fermentation Sciences degree and held production jobs in Napa Valley wineries such as Far Niente and Domaine Chandon. So the next time you taste a fine Italian wine just say "bravo" to Brian Larky
Monday, August 24, 2009 - 8:09am
What movie made Jack Nicholson drop everything and go to Hollywood to become an actor? What noted astronomer cited “All That Jazz” as the film that changed his life? Tonight on Inquiry we have an endlessly fascinating conversation with the Senior Editor of Variety, ROBERT HOFLER about his just published collection of interviews VARIETY’S “THE MOVIE THAT CHANGED MY LIFE” : 120 CELEBRITIES PICK THE FILMS THAT MADE A DIFFERENCE (FOR BETTER OR WORSE). Tune in and find out which films Candace Bushnell, Timm Gunn, Joan Rivers, and Kurt Vonnegut Jr, chose as the ones that changed their life.
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