“Word on the Street: Debunking the Myth of “Pure” Standard English” by John McWhorter is a textbook published by Basic Books in 2001. This trade paperback offers a comprehensive exploration of language arts and disciplines, focusing on linguistics, sociolinguistics, historical and comparative linguistics, and etymology. With 302 pages filled with insightful analysis and engaging content, this book challenges the misconception of a single, pure standard English language. McWhorter’s rich and informative writing style makes this publication a valuable resource for those interested in the complexities of language.