A Way with Words - language, linguistics, and callers from all over

Cat Bristle - 15 September 2025


Listen Later

How do social media algorithms shape the way we communicate? A new book argues that the competition for clicks is changing the way we speak and write, from the so-called “YouTube accent” to the surprising evolution of the word preppy. Also: A Massachusetts woman complains that a digital highway sign that says Use Ya Blinkah is well-intentioned, but goes too far in making fun of the local dialect. Plus, if you’re puzzling over something—no problem. Just use your Clyde! Also, squatcho and squatcheewuzzle and fuzzlejuke and jookgnurr and oosse, the millennial pause and the Gen Z shakeeye dialect, an adverbial brain teaser, the Coanda effect, how to ask for rooiboos tea, and a clever neologism that means “dread.”

Hear hundreds of free episodes and learn more on the A Way with Words website: https://waywordradio.org. Be a part of the show: call or text 1 (877) 929-9673 toll-free in the United States and Canada; elsewhere in the world, call or text +1 619 800 4443. Send voice notes or messages via WhatsApp 16198004443. Email [email protected]. Copyright Wayword, Inc., a 501(c)(3) corporation.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

...more
View all episodesView all episodes
Download on the App Store

A Way with Words - language, linguistics, and callers from all overBy Martha Barnette and Grant Barrett. Produced by Stefanie Levine.

  • 4.6
  • 4.6
  • 4.6
  • 4.6
  • 4.6

4.6

2,170 ratings


More shows like A Way with Words - language, linguistics, and callers from all over

View all
Science Friday by Science Friday and WNYC Studios

Science Friday

6,333 Listeners

Wait Wait... Don't Tell Me! by NPR

Wait Wait... Don't Tell Me!

38,790 Listeners

Radiolab by WNYC Studios

Radiolab

44,030 Listeners

This American Life by This American Life

This American Life

91,122 Listeners

The Moth by The Moth

The Moth

27,253 Listeners

the memory palace by Nate DiMeo

the memory palace

6,876 Listeners

Ask Me Another by NPR

Ask Me Another

4,940 Listeners

Christopher Kimball’s Milk Street Radio by Milk Street Radio

Christopher Kimball’s Milk Street Radio

2,983 Listeners

Sidedoor by Smithsonian Institution

Sidedoor

2,218 Listeners

Go Fact Yourself by MaximumFun.org

Go Fact Yourself

845 Listeners

Nobody Listens to Paula Poundstone by Lipstick Nancy, Inc. & Glassbox Media

Nobody Listens to Paula Poundstone

4,036 Listeners

Proof by America's Test Kitchen

Proof

1,891 Listeners

Antiques Roadshow Detours by GBH

Antiques Roadshow Detours

690 Listeners

Words Unravelled with RobWords and Jess Zafarris by Words Unravelled with RobWords and Jess Zafarris

Words Unravelled with RobWords and Jess Zafarris

97 Listeners

How To Do Everything by NPR

How To Do Everything

360 Listeners