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

Smack Dab - 24 February 2025


Listen Later

A flashlight emits a steady beam of light. So what’s the flash part of that word about? Also, if you’re a nervous Nellie, you’re skittish and indecisive—both characteristics of an American politician who earned that nickname in the 1920s. And, rhinestone: The name of this sparkly fake gem has a history that involves a famous river in Europe. Plus, the many names for toilet paper rolls and the sounds you can make with them, pull a seam, a puzzle all about the word it, a blessing and a curse, hitten vs. hitidea vs. idealshaving yak hair vs. shaving gnat hairdayloknocking something galley-west, the evolving meaning of dab, and the role of cultural context in learning languages. All of which you should listen to right smack now!

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 [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 Hosted by Martha Barnette and Grant Barrett. Produced by Stefanie Levine.

  • 4.6
  • 4.6
  • 4.6
  • 4.6
  • 4.6

4.6

2,125 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

6,055 Listeners

The Splendid Table: Conversations & Recipes For Curious Cooks & Eaters by American Public Media

The Splendid Table: Conversations & Recipes For Curious Cooks & Eaters

3,001 Listeners

KERA's Think by KERA

KERA's Think

901 Listeners

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

Wait Wait... Don't Tell Me!

38,569 Listeners

Radiolab by WNYC Studios

Radiolab

43,817 Listeners

Grammar Girl Quick and Dirty Tips for Better Writing by QuickAndDirtyTips.com

Grammar Girl Quick and Dirty Tips for Better Writing

2,822 Listeners

Fresh Air by NPR

Fresh Air

38,115 Listeners

The Sporkful by Dan Pashman

The Sporkful

3,881 Listeners

Hidden Brain by Hidden Brain, Shankar Vedantam

Hidden Brain

43,245 Listeners

Says You! - A Quiz Show for Lovers of Words, Culture, and History by Pipit & Finch

Says You! - A Quiz Show for Lovers of Words, Culture, and History

816 Listeners

Christopher Kimball’s Milk Street Radio by Milk Street Radio

Christopher Kimball’s Milk Street Radio

2,924 Listeners

Go Fact Yourself by MaximumFun.org

Go Fact Yourself

833 Listeners

The Recipe with Kenji and Deb by Deb Perelman & J. Kenji López-Alt

The Recipe with Kenji and Deb

453 Listeners

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

Words Unravelled with RobWords and Jess Zafarris

57 Listeners

How To Do Everything by NPR

How To Do Everything

258 Listeners