On radio he interviewed the famous but in his spare time Studs Terkel listened to “the etceteras” of history. And he heard America talking.

SPEAKING AMERICANThe AtticNovember 26, 2021Studs Terkel, American speech, Working, The Good War, Oral history Comment

MENCKEN GIVES OUR 'TONGUE' A TWIST

First there was Webster, then Twain. But it took Mencken to celebrate how Americans really talk.

THE ATTIC READS. . . "THE PEOPLE'S TONGUE"

From “Who’s on First” to “A Hard Rain’s a’ Gonna Fall,” from “The Gettysburg Address” to “Green Eggs and Ham,” this delightful anthology lets you hear America talking.

SPEAKING AMERICAN, BOOK-ISHThe AtticNovember 19, 2021The People's Tongue, American English, The American Language, Ilan StavansComment

FIGHTIN' WORDS -- WEBSTER AND THE DICTIONARY WARS

Webster had his dictionary but it took an ugly war of words to win its place in American life.

SPEAKING AMERICAN, BOOK-ISHThe AtticNovember 11, 2021Noah Webster, Merriam-Webster, Joseph Worcester, Dictionary wars, DictionaryComment

HOW TO SPEAK AMERICAN -- THE BASICS

From denunciation to celebration, The Attic explores the unique language called American.

THE CHRYSLER BUILDING AND THE RACE TO THE SKY

Topping Manhattan’s soaring skyline took money, ego, and an architect’s secret plan.

THE SONGS THAT SAVED THE WHALES

Humpbacks had been singing since forever but no one heard until Roger Payne — and Judy Collins — made the world listen.

CALDER -- AT PLAY IN THE FIELDS OF ART

B.C. (Before Calder) sculpture was set in stone. Then “Sandy” began to have fun.

ART-ISHThe AtticOctober 7, 2021Alexander Calder, Calder, Mobiles, Modern ArtComment

WE SIDEWALK SURFERS, WE SKATEBOARD PIONEERS

The first skateboards were skates nailed to a board. By kids like me. But today the sky’s the limit.

DREAMERS, KIDSThe AtticSeptember 30, 2021Skateboarding, Skateboards, Dogtown, Z-boys Comments

LITTLE MISS SURE SHOT -- ANNIE OAKLEY

Legends of the Old West were hard, tough men. But then there was Annie Oakley.

HEROESThe AtticSeptember 23, 2021Annie Oakley, Westerns, Western legends, Sitting Bull, Buffalo Bill, Wild West Comment

THE PREACHER, THE SLAVE, AND THE VAXX

When smallpox ravaged Boston, Cotton Mather turned to science to stop this “Destroying Angel.” American medicine was never the same.

TEACHERS & HEALERS, TEACHERSThe AtticSeptember 2, 2021Vaccination, Smallpox, Cotton Mather, Anti-vaxx Comment

DEMOCRACY FOR A DIME

Books were no bargain until a century ago when the Little Blue Books were born. A half billion books later. . .

GOOSING THE GRIM REAPER

Death may be final but mocking the Grim Reaper is an old American tradition

WITSThe AtticAugust 13, 2021Epitaphs, Funny epitaphs, Gravestones, Funny gravestones Comments

ALEX HALEY AND THE "ROOTS" REVOLUTION

It was another night in prime time, 1977, and then “Roots” broke the bonds of denial. (As seen in “Roots.”)

JOHN CAGE AND THE SOUND OF SILENCE

John Cage heard music in everyday sounds. His 4’33” taught audiences to hear that music, too.

ART-ISHThe AtticJuly 29, 2021John Cage, 4'33", American music, Silence Comments

THE ART OF REBUILDING A NEIGHBORHOOD

As a potter, Theaster Gates learned to shape clay. Now he is reshaping a Chicago neighborhood — and lives.

KINDER, COOLER, SMARTER

NOW IN OUR TENTH YEAR!

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