Mixtape vs. Mixed Tape

Courtney in Anchorage, Alaska, and her teenage son disagree: Should that collection of music be called a mixtape or a mixed tape? The former is far more common, and reflects that linguistic process known as lenition or “softening,” in which the -ed tends to drop off so that shaved ice becomes shave ice and grilled cheese said quickly becomes grill cheese. This is part of a complete episode.

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