This ‘Jawn’ is Getting Out of Hand
The use of the word “jawn” is getting out of hand. It’s on billboards, T-shirts, coffee mugs, even food! But the origins of the word are kind of murky. What is for sure though is that Philadelphians feel strongly about how “jawn” is used and who gets to say it. City Cast Philly host Trenae Nuri sits down with Dr. Taylor Jones, a linguist who focuses on regional accents in African American English, to share her feelings about the word, and learn more about its history and the debate about ownership and identity of language.
Want some more Philly news plus amazing event recommendations? Then make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter, Hey Philly. It hits your inboxes every weekday at 6 a.m.
Have strong feelings about jawn and you just want someone to listen? We’re always listening on Twitter! Follow us @citycastphilly.
Subscribe To Our Newsletter

Stay connected to City Cast Philly and get ready to join the local conversation.
Latest Episodes
Shapiro Crushes GOP Challenger. Is the White House Next? Plus: Rabb Goes to D.C.
Democratic Gov. Josh Shapiro won a landslide victory against Republican State Treasurer Stacy Garrity. We talk about how that happened, w...

Can PA Dems Win Trifecta? Plus, Taxing Waymo & Very Early Holiday Decor
It’s Election Day. So what’s at stake? While Pennsylvania has a Democratic governor and control of the state House, Republicans maintain...

SEPTA Funds, Minimum Wage Hike & Legal Weed: Philly's Only GOP State Senator Has Some Thoughts
We’re sitting down with State Sen. Joe Picozzi, who represents the Northeast. Host Trenae Nuri and executive producer Matt Katz talk to P...

‘Your City Could Be Better’: Who Controls Austin’s Autonomous Vehicles? — Presented By City Cast Philly
When you think of Waymo, you might not yet think of Philly. But you should definitely be thinking of Austin, Texas. State law governing a...

Your Guide to November 2026 in Philly
This is the time of the year when we crave cozy dinners, cherish time with family and friends, and choose to spend extra time volunteerin...

Harassment in Restaurant Industry, Police Watchdog Arrested & ‘Scary’ Philly Situations
We’re talking about why the Philadelphia Citizens Police Oversight Commission chair was arrested on bribery charges this week and toxic r...

Council's Fury at Academy of Natural Sciences Closure. Plus: DEI on the Ballot & HBD Philly!
Happy Birthday, Philadelphia! As the city celebrates its 344th anniversary, what gift would you give the city? Contributors Conrad Benner...

Wild Philly Homes for Sale, Say Goodbye to the Portal & Spell Like a Philadelphian
We’re saying goodbye to the Portal this week. For two years, the art installation gave Philly a connection to other countries around the...

Where to Catch the Best Fall Sky Views
Daylight saving time ends next weekend when clocks fall back one hour — giving us any extra hour of sleep that day. What this also means...

‘Your City Could Be Better’: Is Chicago More Prepared for Climate Change Than Every Other City? — Presented By City Cast Philly
How prepared is Philadelphia to deal with the effects of climate change? In a recent report, Chicago was ranked as the most climate resil...

