Barry Popik Archives – A Way with Words

Go Sit on a Tack!

Posted by Grant Barrett on June 6, 2020 · Add Comment

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JoJo Potato Wedges

Posted by Grant Barrett on March 21, 2020 · Add Comment

When Melissa was growing up in Tacoma, Washington, she’d walk to the corner store, where she’d pick up a corn dog and a bag of jo jos, a term for soft potato wedges with the skin left on. Researcher Barry Popik has dug up a story that may explain the origin of the name jo [...]
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The Big Apple

Posted by Grant Barrett on August 25, 2012 · Add Comment

Why is New York City called the Big Apple? In the 1920s, a writer named John Fitz Gerald used it in a column about the horseracing scene, because racetrack workers in New Orleans would say that if a horse was successful down South, they’d send it to race in the Big Apple, namely at New [...]
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What’s Slang Jang? (minicast)

Posted by Grant Barrett on October 8, 2009 · Add Comment

No, it’s not the neurological effect of spending too much time researching odd new terms. Slang jang is a tongue-tickling sauce found in East Texas. For more about slang jang, including recipes, check out etymologist Barry Popik’s site.
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Caucus and Caucasian; Mute Point vs. Moot Point

Posted by Grant Barrett on March 17, 2008 · Add Comment

Hello, you have A Way with Words! This past weekend's show covered a lot of ground, including new political language like "glass pockets" and "horseracism," and whether there is a relationship between "caucus" and "Caucasian." Listen here: http://waywordradio.org/barbecue/ Thomas called to talk about Italian-American culture, including the word "fugeddaboutit." We mentioned a list of other [...]
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