Dave Wilton is an independent researcher in historical linguistics, etymology, and slang origins. He is the author of Word Myths: Debunking Linguistic Urban Legends (Oxford Univ. Press, 2004). He is also the author of two recent articles in Verbatim magazine: A Hoagie By Any Other Name, on the various names for the sandwich (XXVIII/3, Autumn 2003) and Journols Boffo Lingo: The Slang of Daily Variety (XXX/1, Spring 2005).

Dave has an M.A. from George Washington University in National Security Policy Studies and a B.A. from Lafayette College in Government & Law. Based in Emeryville, California, he pays the bills by working as a product manager for NVIDIA, the computer chip maker. Past experience includes service in the US Army and work as a defense contractor and arms control negotiator.