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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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]

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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

♦ The Visual Language of Comics Glenn on 2013/05/19
♦ re: The Visual Language of Comics Glenn on 2013/05/19
♦ Way Back James Hibbert III on 2013/05/18
♦ 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
♦ Hyde Park on Hudson and F*#% AnMa on 2013/05/10
♦ Fans of the show are called...? Bob Bridges on 2013/05/10