A Way with Words - language, linguistics, and callers from all over

Blow a Gasket - 10 March 2014

10 Mar 2014

Contributed by Lukas

The Pope is tweeting in Latin! But can an ancient language adapt to a world of selfies and hashtags? Speaking of the future, cars are now talking to e...

Feeling Gruntled - 17 February 2014

17 Feb 2014

Contributed by Lukas

Hyperbolic Headlines Will Restore Your Faith In Humanity!!!! Or maybe not. You’ve seen those breathless headlines on the internet, like “You Won’...

The Big Cheese - 10 February 2014

09 Feb 2014

Contributed by Lukas

Is it time to replace the expression “the mentally ill”? Some argue the term unfairly stigmatizes a broad range of people. Also, the winter sport ...

By the Seat of Your Pants - 3 February 2014

02 Feb 2014

Contributed by Lukas

Dude! We’re used to hearing the word “dude” applied to guys. But increasingly, young women use the word “dude” to address each other. Grant ...

How America Talks - 27 January 2014

26 Jan 2014

Contributed by Lukas

For language lovers, it’s like New Year’s, Fourth of July, and the Super Bowl all rolled into one: The brand-new online edition of the Dictionary...

Polyglot Problems (Rebroadcast) - 20 January 2014

20 Jan 2014

Contributed by Lukas

It’s the business of business jargon. Say you’re in line at the drugstore. Does it bother you if the cashier says, “Next guest”? In department...

Ride the Merry-Go-Round (Rebroadcast) - 13 January 2014

13 Jan 2014

Contributed by Lukas

A pint-sized mad scientist, a green-haired girl with a contagious sense of wonder, and a 10-year-old detective. They’re all characters in the books ...

Bouncy House of Language (Rebroadcast) - 6 January 2014

06 Jan 2014

Contributed by Lukas

Some people proudly embrace the label cancer survivor, while others feel that’s not quite the right word. Is there a better term for someone who’...

On the Shoe Phone (Rebroadcast) - 30 December 2013

30 Dec 2013

Contributed by Lukas

First names like “Patience,” “Hope,” and “Charity” are inspired by worthy qualities. But how about “Be-courteous” or “Hate-evil”? ...

Thrown for a Loop - 23 December 2013

22 Dec 2013

Contributed by Lukas

We all lead busy lives—so are speed reading courses a good idea? Plus, if you hear someone speaking with a British accent, do you tend to assume the...

Sexy Prunes - 16 December 2013

15 Dec 2013

Contributed by Lukas

You’re in a business meeting. Is it bad manners to take out your phone to send or read a text? A new study suggests that how you feel about mid-meet...

Not Quite a Boyfriend - 9 December 2013

09 Dec 2013

Contributed by Lukas

If an older man and woman spend lots of time together, going to family gatherings and the like, but they’re NOT dating, what do you call their relat...

Got Your Six (Rebroadcast) - 2 December 2013

02 Dec 2013

Contributed by Lukas

Starting this year, Scripps National Spelling Bee contestants not only have to spell words correctly. A controversial new rule means they’ll have to...

Wet Brick - 25 November 2013

24 Nov 2013

Contributed by Lukas

What the fox says may be a mystery, but we do know that dogs bark differently around the world. In China, for example, they say not bow-wow but wan...

Catbird Seat - 18 November 2013

17 Nov 2013

Contributed by Lukas

Online recaps of Mad Men or Breaking Bad can be as much fun as the shows themselves. So why not recap classic literature — like, say, Dante’s...

Jumped Up Bald-Headed - 11 November 2013

11 Nov 2013

Contributed by Lukas

What do your pronouns say about your own psychological makeup? If you use the word I a lot, does it mean you’re a leader . . . or a follower? A su...

I'll Be Your Boo - 4 November 2013

03 Nov 2013

Contributed by Lukas

If you’re nibbling on slippery Jims or sipping sweet soup, chances are you’re in the Badger State. It’s the language of Wisconsin — explain...

Monkey's Wedding - 28 October 2013

28 Oct 2013

Contributed by Lukas

It’s the art of constructive feedback: If you’re a teacher with a mountain of papers to grade, you may find yourself puzzling over which kinds of ...

Writerly Insults - 21 October 2013

20 Oct 2013

Contributed by Lukas

Sure, it’s scary to send your writing to a literary agent. But pity the poor agent who must wade through hundreds of terrible query letters a week! ...

Mr. Can't Died - 14 October 2013

14 Oct 2013

Contributed by Lukas

You pick up what you think a glass of water and take a sip, but it turns out to be Sprite. What’s the word for that sensation when you’re expectin...

Drop a Dime - 7 October 2013

06 Oct 2013

Contributed by Lukas

Why call it a doggy bag when it’s really for your husband? Grant and Martha talk about the language of leftovers and why we eat beef and not co...

That Old-Book Smell - 30 September 2013

29 Sep 2013

Contributed by Lukas

You walk into a used bookstore, or pull down an old volume at the library, and there it is: The smell of old books. If you detect notes of vanilla in ...

A Hole to China (Rebroadcast) - 23 September 2013

22 Sep 2013

Contributed by Lukas

Have a question about objective pronouns? Whom ya gonna call? Wait–is that right? Or would it be “who ya gonna call”? “Whom” may be technica...

Whistling Dixie (Rebroadcast) - 16 September 2013

16 Sep 2013

Contributed by Lukas

Today’s most popular dog names are Max and Bella. In the Middle Ages, though, dogs would answer to names like Amiable. Or Nosewise. Or even …...

Gnarly Foot (Rebroadcast) - 9 September 2013

08 Sep 2013

Contributed by Lukas

It’s the Up Goer Five Challenge! Try to describe something complex using only the thousand most common words in English. It’s a useful mental exe...

Bump and Grind (Rebroadcast) - 2 September 2013

01 Sep 2013

Contributed by Lukas

Remember a few years ago when Amazon introduced that mysterious device called a Kindle? People worried that electronic readers would replace tradition...

Gracious Plenty (Rebroadcast) - 26 August 2013

26 Aug 2013

Contributed by Lukas

When somebody sneezes, we say bless you or gesundheit. But suppose that person coughs. Are you supposed to say something — or are they? Plus, Me...

Pie in the Sky (Rebroadcast) August 3, 2013

05 Aug 2013

Contributed by Lukas

Looking for a book to read with the kids, or maybe a guide to becoming a better writer? Why are leg cramps called charley horses? And where’d we ge...

Polyglot Problems - 1 July 2013

24 Jun 2013

Contributed by Lukas

It’s the business of business jargon. Say you’re in line at the drugstore. Does it bother you if the cashier says, “Next guest”? In department...

Ride the Merry-Go-Round - 24 June 2013

23 Jun 2013

Contributed by Lukas

A pint-sized mad scientist, a green-haired girl with a contagious sense of wonder, and a 10-year-old detective. They’re all characters in the books ...

Bouncy House of Language - 17 June 2013

16 Jun 2013

Contributed by Lukas

Some people proudly embrace the label cancer survivor, while others feel that’s not quite the right word. Is there a better term for someone who’...

On the Shoe Phone - 3 June 2013

02 Jun 2013

Contributed by Lukas

First names like “Patience,” “Hope,” and “Charity” are inspired by worthy qualities. But how about “Be-courteous” or “Hate-evil”? ...

Got Your Six - 13 May 2013

12 May 2013

Contributed by Lukas

Starting this year, Scripps National Spelling Bee contestants not only have to spell words correctly. A controversial new rule means they’ll have to...

A Hole to China - 1 April 2013

31 Mar 2013

Contributed by Lukas

Have a question about objective pronouns? Whom ya gonna call? Wait–is that right? Or would it be “who ya gonna call”? “Whom” may be technica...

Crazy Crossword Clues (Rebroadcast) - 25 March 2013

24 Mar 2013

Contributed by Lukas

Should youngsters learn cursive handwriting in school? Plus, someone can be ruthless, but can that same person be ruthful? Which word refers to someth...

Whistling Dixie - 18 March 2013

17 Mar 2013

Contributed by Lukas

Today’s most popular dog names are Max and Bella. In the Middle Ages, though, dogs would answer to names like Amiable. Or Nosewise. Or even …...

Gnarly Foot - 11 March 2013

11 Mar 2013

Contributed by Lukas

It’s the Up Goer Five Challenge! Try to describe something complex using only the thousand most common words in English. It’s a useful mental exe...

Bump and Grind - 4 March 2013

03 Mar 2013

Contributed by Lukas

Remember a few years ago when Amazon introduced that mysterious device called a Kindle? People worried that electronic readers would replace tradition...

Gracious Plenty - 11 February 2013

10 Feb 2013

Contributed by Lukas

When somebody sneezes, we say bless you or gesundheit. But suppose that person coughs. Are you supposed to say something — or are they? Plus, Me...

Help support A Way with Words today

21 Dec 2012

Contributed by Lukas

This year, generous gifts from people like you made a difference: We're producing more new episodes than ever. We're taking our mission into communit...

A Murmuration of Starlings (Rebroadcast) - 30 July 2012

30 Jul 2012

Contributed by Lukas

If you’ve eaten crispy chicken, you might also have had jo-jo potatoes. Speaking of chicken, ever wonder why colonel isn’t pronounced KOH-loh-nel...

What's a Hipster?

24 Jun 2012

Contributed by Lukas

Get out your skinny jeans and pass the PBR! Martha and Grant discuss the definition of the word hipster. Also, what happens when you pull a brodie? An...

Crazy Crossword Clues - 18 June 2012

17 Jun 2012

Contributed by Lukas

Should youngsters learn cursive handwriting in school? Plus, someone can be ruthless, but can that same person be ruthful? Which word refers to someth...

Lousy with Diamonds - 11 June 2012

11 Jun 2012

Contributed by Lukas

Can children adopted from other countries easily re-learn their native languages as adults? And if you’re invited to an old-fashioned pound party, w...

Special Request! -- Help Support A Way with Words

15 Dec 2011

Contributed by Lukas

Give Now for the $25,000 Fundraising Challenge Dear friends and listeners, As we near the end of our biggest year yet, we must raise $25,0...

A Murmuration of Starlings - 12 December 2011

12 Dec 2011

Contributed by Lukas

If you’ve eaten crispy chicken, you might also have had jo-jo potatoes. Speaking of chicken, ever wonder why colonel isn’t pronounced KOH-loh-nel...

You Sound Old - 31 October 2011

31 Oct 2011

Contributed by Lukas

Ever drop a reference that just makes you sound, well, of a certain age? Grant and Martha discuss language that’s lost on other generations. Why is ...

One Space or Two (rebroadcast) - 5 September 2011

05 Sep 2011

Contributed by Lukas

SUMMARYIs typing two spaces after a period "totally, completely, utterly, and inarguably wrong?" Martha and Grant disagree. Also, is the language of t...

Seeing The Elephant (rebroadcast) - 29 August 2011

29 Aug 2011

Contributed by Lukas

SUMMARYThis week on "A Way with Words": If you've "seen the elephant," it means you've been in combat. But why an elephant? Also, Martha and Grant dis...

Eastern Seaboard West Coast (rebroadcast) - 22 August 2011

22 Aug 2011

Contributed by Lukas

SUMMARYShadowdabbled. Moon-blanched. Augusttremulous. William Faulkner often used odd adjectives like these. But why? Grant and Martha discuss the poe...

Red Light, Green Light (minicast) - 17 Aug. 2011

17 Aug 2011

Contributed by Lukas

Hot traffic talk! A caller is looking for a word for the point at which you have to reach in order to make it through a stoplight before it turns red....

Nerd vs Geek (rebroadcast) - 15 August 2011

15 Aug 2011

Contributed by Lukas

SUMMARYWhat do the words marathon, paisley, and bikini have in common? They're all words that derive from the names of places. Martha and Grant talk t...

Of Pupae and Pupils (minicast) - 10 Aug. 2011

10 Aug 2011

Contributed by Lukas

A question from a listener on the “A Way with Words” Facebook page has Martha musing about the entomological and etymological connections between ...

Infix is Just Another Word for Fanfreakintastic (minicast) - 3 Aug. 2011

03 Aug 2011

Contributed by Lukas

What's the one word that comes to mind when you hear the name J. D. Salinger? "Masterpiece"? "Recluse"? How about the "F-word"?  An Indianapolis l...

Cannibal Sandwich Anyone (rebroadcast) - 1 August 2011

01 Aug 2011

Contributed by Lukas

SUMMARY Ready for some crazy crossword clues? The hosts discuss some clever ones, like "Hula hoop?" (3 letters). Also, is the correct term jury-rigged...

Guess What (rebroadcast) - 25 July 2011

25 Jul 2011

Contributed by Lukas

SUMMARYEnglish is full of unusual terms, both old (eleemosynary, favonian) and new (flyway, catio). Also, the Swahili term that means "sleep like a lo...

Beanplating the Lunatic Fringe (rebroadcast) - 18 July 2011

18 Jul 2011

Contributed by Lukas

SUMMARYIn this week's episode, "It was bright cold day in April and the clocks were striking thirteen." Martha and Grant discuss their favorite first ...

Who is Chester Drawers - 11 July 2011

08 Jul 2011

Contributed by Lukas

SUMMARYSome of the world's most famous writers had to support themselves with day jobs. Martha and Grant discuss well-known authors who toiled away at...

A Yankee Dime - 4 July 2011

01 Jul 2011

Contributed by Lukas

SUMMARYRemember misunderstanding certain words as a child? Maybe you figured "cat burglars" only stole cats, or assumed guerrilla fighters must be ang...

Tweet Nothings - 13 June 2011

13 Jun 2011

Contributed by Lukas

SUMMARYHow much humor and personality can you pack into a 140-character update? A lot, it turns out. Martha and Grant talk about funny Twitter feeds. ...

Tend to the Rat-Killin' - 6 June 2011

06 Jun 2011

Contributed by Lukas

SUMMARYAnagrams, rebuses, cryptograms, Jumble -- Martha and Grant swap stories about the games that first made them realize that playing with words an...

Everything is Tickety-Boo - 9 May 2011

09 May 2011

Contributed by Lukas

SUMMARYNews reports that the makers of Scrabble were changing the rules to allow proper names left some purists fuming. The rumors were false, but the...

Like Death Eating a Cracker (rebroadcast) - 25 Apr. 2011

25 Apr 2011

Contributed by Lukas

[This episode first aired May 1, 2010.] SUMMARY Digital timepieces may be changing the way we talk, at least a little. There's Bob o'clock (8:08), B...

A Pickle Short of a Jar (rebroadcast) - 20 Apr. 2011

20 Apr 2011

Contributed by Lukas

[This episode first aired April 10, 2010.]SUMMARYA few pickles short of a jar, a few peas short of a casserole, two French fries short of a Happy Meal...

Sailor's Delight (rebroadcast) - 21 March 2011

22 Mar 2011

Contributed by Lukas

[This episode first aired March 6, 2010.]"Red sky at night, sailor's delight. Red sky at morning, sailor take warning." Martha talks about this weathe...

Sufficiently Suffonsified (rebroadcast) - 31 Jan. 2011

31 Jan 2011

Contributed by Lukas

[This episode first aired February 27, 2010.]What's in a pet's name? Martha and Grant swap stories about how they came up with names for their dogs. A...

Word Up! - 17 Jan. 2011

17 Jan 2011

Contributed by Lukas

SUMMARYWhat would you serve a plumber who comes over for dinner? How about ... leeks? The hosts play a word game called "What Would You Serve?" Also, ...

The Thought Plickens (rebroadcast) - 3 Jan. 2010

03 Jan 2011

Contributed by Lukas

[This episode first aired February 6, 2010.]If you're inappropriately focused on the minutiae of a project instead of the bigger picture, you're said ...

Too Much Sugar for a Dime - 20 Dec. 2010

20 Dec 2010

Contributed by Lukas

SUMMARYIs the term "Oriental" offensive? Many people think so. Martha and Grant discuss the reasons why. Also, where do we get the phrase "not one iot...

Anaheim, Asuza, and Cuck-a-monga (Rebroadcast) - 6 Dec. 2010

06 Dec 2010

Contributed by Lukas

[This episode first aired November 9, 2009.] All aboard! This week, a bit about the musical language of railroad conductors' calls: 'Anaheim, Azusa, a...

Zig-Zag and Shilly-Shally (Rebroadcast) - 29 Nov. 2010

29 Nov 2010

Contributed by Lukas

[This episode first aired October 24, 2009.]Bavarian Chalet. Mushroom Basket. Moose Point. Who in the heck comes up with the names of paints, anyway? ...

A Roberta of Flax - 22 Nov. 2010

22 Nov 2010

Contributed by Lukas

SUMMARY We have collective nouns for animals, like "a gaggle of geese," "a pride of lions," and "an exaltation of larks." So why not collective nouns ...

NPR Puzzlemaster Will Shortz - 16 Nov. 2010

16 Nov 2010

Contributed by Lukas

This week, a special treat: NPR Puzzlemaster Will Shortz stops by with a quiz about slang and anagrams. Did you know that "A Way with Words" is not pr...

Words of the Year - 15 Nov. 2010

15 Nov 2010

Contributed by Lukas

SUMMARYWhat's your choice for 2010's word of the year? Mama grizzly? Starwhacker? And who could forget vuvuzela? Martha and Grant discuss the Five-Oh ...

Lunatic Fringe - 25 Oct. 2010

25 Oct 2010

Contributed by Lukas

SUMMARYIn this week's episode, "It was bright cold day in April and the clocks were striking thirteen." Martha and Grant discuss their favorite first ...

Drinking Terms (minicast) - 6 Oct. 2010

06 Oct 2010

Contributed by Lukas

An interview with slang lexicographer Paul Dickson about drinking language and his book "Drunk: the Definitive Drinkers Dictionary."--A Way with Words...

A Louse in a Wrestling Jacket - 4 Oct. 2010

03 Oct 2010

Contributed by Lukas

A California college student is campaigning for international scientific authorities to adopt the slang term hella- as an official prefix indicating a...

A Gazelle on the Lawn (rebroadcast) - 13 Sept. 2010

14 Sep 2010

Contributed by Lukas

[This episode first aired March 13, 2010.]What do you say if you have guests over and someone in your family has stray food left on the face? In some ...

Spendthrift Snollygosters (rebroadcast) - 16 Aug. 2010

16 Aug 2010

Contributed by Lukas

[This episode first aired February 20, 2010.]This week, it's the language of politics. Martha and Grant discuss two handy terms describing politicians...

The Language of Less Than Three (rebroadcast) - 9 Aug. 2010

09 Aug 2010

Contributed by Lukas

[This episode first aired February 13, 2010.]   Whoever wrote "The Book of Love" neglected to include the handy emoticon

Cellar Door (minicast) - 19 July 2010

20 Jul 2010

Contributed by Lukas

The Most Beautiful Words in the English Language: "Cellar Door"?It's been said that the most beautiful combination of words in English is "cellar door...

What's the Possessive of Y'all? (minicast) - 8 July 2010

08 Jul 2010

Contributed by Lukas

Is it y'all's? Y'alls? Y'alls's? What do all ya'll think?--A Way with Words is funded by its listeners: http://waywordradio.org/donateGet your languag...

Not to Be Confused with Hieronymus (minicast) - 30 June 2010

30 Jun 2010

Contributed by Lukas

A Texas listener came across the word "Boche" in a biography of a French statesman, and wants to know: What does it mean, exactly?--A Way with Words i...

The Fighting Kewpies, Un-hunh! (rebroadcast) - 28 June 2010

28 Jun 2010

Contributed by Lukas

[This episode first aired December 5, 2009.]In high school, no one thinks twice about cheering for the Fighting Trojans or the Tigers. But what about ...

Forte or For-tay: Is Pronunciation Your Strong Suit? (minicast) - 24 June 2010

24 Jun 2010

Contributed by Lukas

How do you pronounce this word that means someone's "strong suit"? And what does it have to do with fencing?--A Way with Words is funded by its listen...

Are You Annoyed by Embololalia? (minicast) - 18 June 2010

18 Jun 2010

Contributed by Lukas

Um, are you, like, one of those people who, um, get, like, really annoyed, by, um, you know, like, um, lots of filler words in, you know, like, conver...

Season and Sea Change (minicast) - 18 June 2010

18 Jun 2010

Contributed by Lukas

The first of two podcasts this week includes a special message to "A Way with Words" podcast listeners. Also, Martha answers a listener's email about ...

Get Your Nickels Together for a Jitney Supper - 7 June 2010

07 Jun 2010

Contributed by Lukas

Anagrams, rebuses, cryptograms -- Martha and Grant swap stories about the games that first made them realize that playing with words and letters can b...

Bless Your Heart - 31 May 2010

31 May 2010

Contributed by Lukas

This week, it's backhanded phrases, those snarky remarks that come sugar-coated in politeness, like "How nice for you," "Oh, interesting!" and the mot...

Hit the Pickle Button - 10 May 2010

10 May 2010

Contributed by Lukas

Who was that masked man? Was it the Barefoot Bandit, the Mummy Bandit, or perhaps the Botox Bandit? Or maybe it was the Bad-Breath Bandit? The hosts d...

X, Y, and Zed (Rebroadcast) - 26 April 2010

26 Apr 2010

Contributed by Lukas

[This episode first aired October 17, 2009.]Some teachers are using a controversial tactic to get young students reading: They let their 'pupils choos...

Pardon Our French - 19 April 2010

19 Apr 2010

Contributed by Lukas

South African English is a rich mix of Afrikaans, English, and indigenous languages such as Zulu and Xhosa. Martha and Grant discuss some favorite ter...

Awkward Turtle - 5 April 2010

05 Apr 2010

Contributed by Lukas

[This episode first aired October 10, 2009.]Do you say something happened on accident or by accident? Is text-messaging is destroying our kids' writin...

Gyros and Sheath Cakes (Rebroadcast) - 29 March 2010

29 Mar 2010

Contributed by Lukas

What's the right way to pronounce gyros? Have you ever heard of feeling poozley? Called something great a blinger? Use the expression one-off to mean ...

Jan Freeman, Write it Right - 4 March 2010

04 Mar 2010

Contributed by Lukas

Write it Right One hundred years ago, American journalist and satirist Ambrose Bierce published a curmudgeonly book of writing advice called Write It...

Jack Lynch, Author of The Lexicographer's Dilemma - 22 Jan. 2010

22 Jan 2010

Contributed by Lukas

You know that grammatical 'rule' about not ending a sentence with a preposition? Well, who ever decided finishing off a sentence like that is a bad th...

Ken Jennings: Not-So-Trivial Pursuits (minicast) - Jan. 12, 2010

12 Jan 2010

Contributed by Lukas

Grant interviews 'Jeopardy!' champion Ken Jennings about the grueling nature of TV quiz shows, the fine art of writing trivia questions, the special c...

Squeejawed Red-heads and Grockles (Rebroadcast) - 4 January 2010

04 Jan 2010

Contributed by Lukas

[This episode originally aired February 9, 2008.] In this week's episode: Just how far back could you go and still understand the English people were...

See A Man About A Horse (Rebroadcast) - 28 Dec. 2009

28 Dec 2009

Contributed by Lukas

[This episode first aired January 12, 2008.] In this week's episode, Martha and Grant discuss not-to-be-believed articles about language from the sat...

Words of the Decade - 21 Dec. 2009

21 Dec 2009

Contributed by Lukas

Enough about the 'Word of the Year.' How about the 'Word of the Decade'? Bailout? Google? Martha and Grant discuss some candidates. Also in this episo...