The Arabic idiom in the apricot season translates to “in your dreams,” presumably because the growing season for this fruit is so brief. Incidentally, the etymological root of “apricot,” which means “to ripen...
We all know that the color pink is for boys and the color blue is for girls — at least, that’s how it was 100 years ago. Grant and Martha share the surprising history behind the colors we associate with gender. Plus, we go rollin’ in our...
If what you’re going to say isn’t more beautiful than silence, don’t say it. Martha shares this proverb, translated from the original Arabic. This is part of a complete episode.
This week, McGimpers, geetus, and other underworld lingo from the 1930s. Crime novelist James Ellroy stops by to talk slang terms and reveals his own favorite. Also, is the expression “Hear, hear!” or “Here, here!”? Is it...
Hello from Martha and Grant -- A big, warm welcome to our newest public radio listeners! "A Way with Words" is now heard on KSFC 91.9 FM in Spokane, and WFSU 88.9 FM in Tallahassee and Panama City, Florida. We're glad to have...
A caller wonders if the Spanish and Arabic articles el and al spring from the same linguistic root. This is part of a complete episode.