If today’s Americans heard the way people spoke during the Revolutionary era, they might be stunned by both the similarities and subtle differences. While words and phrases would be recognizable, the overall diction was distinctly 18th-century.

The surprising use of the phrase “queer turtle” has stirred both humor and introspection in political commentary. David Strom’s remarks reveal how swiftly cultural shifts can challenge our sense of normalcy, prompting calls to “stop the Earth” in hopes of maintaining sanity.

Miss Manners columnist Judith Martin addresses reader worries about whether societal pressures have rapidly changed our vocabulary. She points out that language naturally evolves and that lexicographers record these shifts in response to social changes.