A Way with Words A Way with Words
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A Way with Words
A public radio program about language examined through history, culture, and family.
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Gone Pecan

Posted by Grant Barrett on April 28, 2013 · Add Comment
How did the word gay go from meaning lighthearted to homosexual? Also, why are elementary schools sometimes called grammar schools? Plus, imeldific, gone pecan, random Scrabble words, and the difference between borrow and lend. And the etiquette of striking up conversations with strangers in English pubs: Whatever you do, don’t introduce yourself or try to [...]
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Dog and Pony Show

Posted April 20, 2013 .
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Remember getting caught sitting in a tree, K-I-S-S-I-N-G? Grant and Martha wax nostalgic on some classic schoolyard rhymes. What do you call your offspring once they’ve grown up? Adult children? How about kid-ults? Plus, is there really such a thing as a dog-and-pony show? What does a dog chewing waspers look like? Also, the reason [...]
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Good Juju

Posted April 15, 2013 .
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Imagine a time when heroin was marketed for the whole family. It really happened! Also, how Twitter, M&M’s, and Hallmark cards got their names. Plus, restaurant slang, bad juju, having a wild hair, cutting to the quick, and use vs. utilize.
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What’s a Hipster?

Posted April 8, 2013 .
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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? And why do we describe something cheap or poorly made as cheesy? Also, sawbucks, shoestring budgets, the origins of bootlegging, and cabbie lingo, including the slang word bingo.
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Crazy Crossword Clues

Posted March 25, 2013 .
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Should youngsters learn cursive handwriting in school? Plus, someone can be ruthless, but can that same person be ruthful? Which word refers to something larger, humongous or gargantuan? Also, funny newspaper corrections, a crossword quiz, Texas idioms, and a version of Three Blind Mice with an upgraded vocabulary.
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Whistling Dixie

Posted March 18, 2013 .
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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 … Clench. ♦ Is the term redneck derogatory? Some folks proudly claim that name. They say it’s high time they were redneckcognized. ♦ Also, the origin of the phrase rule [...]
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Episodes & Posts

  • Gone Pecan 04/28/2013: How did the word gay go from meaning lighthearted to homosexual? Also, why are elementary schools sometimes called grammar schools? Plus, imeldific, gone pecan, random... [more]
  • Dog and Pony Show 04/20/2013: Remember getting caught sitting in a tree, K-I-S-S-I-N-G? Grant and Martha wax nostalgic on some classic schoolyard rhymes. What do you call your offspring once... [more]
  • Good Juju 04/15/2013: Imagine a time when heroin was marketed for the whole family. It really happened! Also, how Twitter, M&M's, and Hallmark cards got their names. Plus,... [more]
  • What’s a Hipster? 04/08/2013: 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... [more]
  • Crazy Crossword Clues 03/25/2013: Should youngsters learn cursive handwriting in school? Plus, someone can be ruthless, but can that same person be ruthful? Which word refers to something larger,... [more]

All Content by Date

All Content by Kind

Recent Segments

  • Sacapuntas and Mock Obscenity 03/18/2013: If you need to release some tension but don't want to curse, try shouting "sacapuntas!" This Spanish word for "pencil sharpener" falls into a colorful... [more]
  • Daisy-Cutting 03/18/2013: The term daisy-cutting, which refers to the low-action trot of Arabian and Thoroughbred horses, is reminiscent of the low grounder in baseball known as a... [more]
  • Adult Spelling Bee 03/18/2013: Grant and Martha recently served as expert spellers at the San Diego Council on Literacy's annual adult spelling bee, but don't let the age group... [more]

Join the Discussion

  • ♦ Darmak and Jalad at Tanagra Ron Draney on 2013/05/22
  • ♦ Και νεκρός ενίκα Heimhenge on 2013/05/22
  • ♦ re: The Visual Language of Comics RobertB on 2013/05/20
  • ♦ The Visual Language of Comics Dick on 2013/05/20
  • ♦ Way Back Mike Hennessy on 2013/05/20
  • ♦ Already and the tense RobertB on 2013/05/17
  • ♦ Affect used as noun Robert on 2013/05/14
  • ♦ née,fiancé, communiqué, ... Glenn on 2013/05/12
  • ♦ Draught vs Draft, etc. EmmettRedd on 2013/05/11
  • ♦ What is this called? EmmettRedd on 2013/05/11
  • ♦ Man as gender-neutral vocative tromboniator on 2013/05/10
  • ♦ Capitalizing I AnMa on 2013/05/10
  • ♦ An extra "is" in speech AnMa on 2013/05/10
  • ♦ celtic AnMa on 2013/05/10
  • ♦ 1oan! AnMa on 2013/05/10