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

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Sea Knots

Posted by grantbarrett on June 22, 2013 · Add Comment

Why are distances at sea measured in knots? In the 1500s, sailors would drop a chip log off the side of the boat and let out the rope for about thirty seconds, counting how many knots on the rope went out. Eventually, one knot came to mean one nautical mile per hour. Incidentally, this same [...]

Measuring The Sea Joke

Posted by grantbarrett on June 22, 2013 · Add Comment

Why do we measure the sea in knots? Why, to keep the ocean tide! This is part of a complete episode.

Tide Me Over

Posted by grantbarrett on January 12, 2008 · Add Comment

A caller has a friendly disagreement with a pal: Is the expression “tide me over” or “tie me over”? Hint: The answer she gets should tide her over. This is part of a complete episode.

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Sea Knots

Measuring The Sea Joke

Tide Me Over