A Way with Words - language, linguistics, and callers from all over
Martha Barnette and Grant Barrett. Produced by Stefanie Levine.
Fun conversation with callers from all over about new words, old sayings, slang, family expressions, word histories, linguistics, dialects, word games, books, literature, writing, and more.Be on the show with author/journalist Martha Barnette and linguist/lexicographer Grant Barrett. Share your thoughts, questions, and stories: https://waywordradio.org/contact or words@waywordradio.org.
In the US and Canada, call or text 1 (877) 929-9673 toll-free 24/7.
Send a voice note or message via WhatsApp, 16198004443.
From everywhere, call or text +1 (619) 800-4443.
Past episodes, show notes, full search, more: https://waywordradio.org.A Way with Words is listener-supported! https://waywordradio.org/donate ❤️ Listen without ads here! https://awww.supportingcast.fm
In the US and Canada, call or text 1 (877) 929-9673 toll-free 24/7.
Send a voice note or message via WhatsApp, 16198004443.
From everywhere, call or text +1 (619) 800-4443.
Past episodes, show notes, full search, more: https://waywordradio.org.A Way with Words is listener-supported! https://waywordradio.org/donate ❤️ Listen without ads here! https://awww.supportingcast.fm
Episodes
Mentioned books
Nov 8, 2007 • 8min
Martha and Grant: The Blue Bark Mystery - 7 Nov. 2007
A caller asks a delicate question about the phrase 'blue bark shipment,' a term involving the transport of deceased members of the military. Martha and Grant discuss this puzzling expression and the challenge of tracking down its origins. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Oct 31, 2007 • 7min
Martha and Grant: Let's Blow This Joint - 31 Oct. 2007
A caller sends Grant and Martha off on a slang-infested trip about ways of saying a fast good-bye. Listen as they blow pop, popcorn, and taco stands by way of author Jim Harrison, the comic strip Funky Winkerbean, and a Warhol hanger-on. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Oct 24, 2007 • 6min
Grant: Dangerous Books You Should Read - 24 Oct. 2007
Discover the joys (and temptations!) of two new books of collected wisdom: The Yale Book of Quotations, edited by Fred Shapiro, and James Geary's Guide to the World's Great Aphorists. Grant explains why leafing through such books can be rewarding, but hazardous to your time management. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Oct 17, 2007 • 6min
Martha and Grant: Hey, That's Mine! - 17 Oct. 2007
When you were a child and wanted to lay claim to something, what did you say? Did you call dibs? Or did you hosey it? A caller is curious about another verb used in such situations: finnie. Grant explains this word's meaning and origin. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Oct 10, 2007 • 6min
Martha: Appalachian Cackleberries - 10 Oct. 2007
Martha reminisces about her family's mountain roots while dipping into the delicious vocabulary of Southernisms found in the Dictionary of Smoky Mountain English. Listen to this one, ya'll, and you find out what a cackleberry is, and why you don't want to drink milk thatâs blinky. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Oct 3, 2007 • 6min
Martha: The Love Dimple - 3 Oct. 2007
What's the name for that little dent in your upper lip? It's called a philtrum. Martha reveals the erotic origins of this word, and proves once again that etymology is nothing if not sexy. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Sep 26, 2007 • 7min
Martha: A Collection of Collective Nouns - 26 Sept. 2007
And now, the moment you've all been waiting for: The results of the A Way with Words Collective Noun Contest! What collective noun would you apply to groups of 1) tennis players, 2) aliens from outer space, and 3) language-loving word hosts? You sent us a cleverness of witty entries, and Martha has the winners. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Sep 19, 2007 • 6min
Buffet Flats (minicast)
Do you know what a “buffet flat” is? Is it A) a type of shoe you wear to all-you-can-eat dinners, B) a lull in economic growth predicted by Warren Buffet, or C) a squalid apartment found in the Rocky Mountain States? Find out when Grant gives you the whole megillah. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Sep 12, 2007 • 9min
This Week or Next? (minicast)
The Pod Couple—also known as Martha and Grant—consider just when is "next week" or "this Monday" anyway? A husband and wife with a long running dispute turn to Martha and Grant for help. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Aug 24, 2007 • 3min
Gardentoolism (minicast)
Earlier this summer a word caught my fancy: "gardentoolism." So I made a slang quiz about it!Read full show notes, hear hundreds of free episodes, send your thoughts and questions, and learn more on the A Way with Words website: https://waywordradio.org/contact. Be a part of the show: call 1 (877) 929-9673 toll-free in the United States and Canada; worldwide, call or text/SMS +1 (619) 800-4443. Email words@waywordradio.org. Twitter @wayword. Copyright Wayword, Inc., a 501(c)(3) corporation. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
