military personnel Archives – A Way with Words

A Way with Words

About
Episodes
Podcast
Radio
Live Events
Contact
Your Support
Explore
- Recommended Reference Works
- Store
Our Mission

A fun radio show and podcast about language examined through family, history, and culture.

Contact

Ask your language questions: (877) 929-9673 or by email. More »

Listen

Podcast Apps • Radio Stations • All Episodes

Donate to A Way with Words. Your support makes the radio show and podcast possible.

Currently viewing the tag: "military personnel"

Keep Your Powder Dry

Posted by Grant Barrett on February 25, 2019 · Add Comment

Shelby calls from Rockville, Indiana, to ask about the origin of the phrase keep your powder dry. Many people surmise it derives from words uttered by Oliver Cromwell, but there’s no recorded evidence of this. The phrase first pops up in the early 19th century, and was popularized by a song from the early 1830s [...]

Dusty Miller

Posted by Grant Barrett on October 20, 2018 · Add Comment

Another term for moth is miller or dusty miller, so named the powdery wings of these insects recall the image of a miller — someone who grinds grain — covered in flour. That’s also the inspiration behind the name of the dusty miller plant. This is part of a complete episode.

Road Warrior

Posted by Grant Barrett on October 6, 2012 · Add Comment

What is a road warrior? Besides being a term for someone who travels a lot or commutes a long distance, it’s also used by some to refer to military personnel who are retired on active duty, also known as R.O.A.D. This is part of a complete episode.

Let the Hawk Out

Posted by Grant Barrett on September 8, 2012 · Add Comment

The phrases “Who let the hawk out?” and “The hawk is flying tonight” both mean “there’s a chilly wind blowing.” This saying is almost exclusive to the African-American community and is associated with that Windy City, Chicago. This is part of a complete episode.

Newsletter

Contact

Listen

Keep Your Powder Dry

Dusty Miller

Road Warrior

Let the Hawk Out