When theorizing about language, we tend to assume that speakers are cooperative, honest, helpful, and so on. This, of course, isn't remotely true of a lot of re

The bestselling author of The Martian returns with an irresistible new near-future thriller—a heist story set on the moon. Jasmine Bashara never signed up to

After shocking the elegant garden party by using a bad word, Elbert learns some acceptable substitutes from a helpful wizard.

An irreverent and impeccably researched defense of our dirtiest words. We’re often told that swearing is outrageous or even offensive, that it’s a sign of a

Discusses attitudes toward the English language and the slang, swearing, grammar, and differences in pronunciation that have changed the language