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

Spur of the Moment (Rebroadcast) - 26 November 2018


Listen Later

A caller with a 25-year-old parrot wonders: How much language do birds really understand? Plus, Knock-knock. Who's there? Boo. Well . . .  you can guess the rest. But there was a time when these goofy jokes were a brand-new craze sweeping the nation. Finally, the words "coffee" and "sugar" both come from Arabic, as does another familiar word: ghoul. There's a spooky story about its origin. Also, freckle, diamond in the rough, spur of the moment, literary limericks, the pronunciation of divisive, and a cold vs. the flu.

Listen to all episodes for free: https://waywordradio.org/
 
Support the show to keep episodes coming: https://waywordradio.org/donate
 
Your responses, questions, and comments are welcomed at any time! 
 
https://waywordradio.org/contact
 
[email protected]
 
Listener line 1 (877) 929-9673 toll-free in the US and Canada
 
Text/SMS +1 (619) 567-9673
 
Copyright Wayword, Inc., a 501(c)(3) corporation. All rights reserved.

...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

2,124 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

6,068 Listeners

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

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

2,995 Listeners

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

Wait Wait... Don't Tell Me!

38,634 Listeners

Radiolab by WNYC Studios

Radiolab

43,814 Listeners

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

Grammar Girl Quick and Dirty Tips for Better Writing

2,819 Listeners

This American Life by This American Life

This American Life

90,850 Listeners

99% Invisible by Roman Mars

99% Invisible

26,160 Listeners

The Allusionist by Helen Zaltzman

The Allusionist

2,985 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

Sidedoor by Smithsonian Institution

Sidedoor

2,174 Listeners

Lingthusiasm - A podcast that's enthusiastic about linguistics by Gretchen McCulloch and Lauren Gawne

Lingthusiasm - A podcast that's enthusiastic about linguistics

630 Listeners

Go Fact Yourself by MaximumFun.org

Go Fact Yourself

831 Listeners

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

Nobody Listens to Paula Poundstone

3,969 Listeners

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

Words Unravelled with RobWords and Jess Zafarris

58 Listeners

How To Do Everything by NPR

How To Do Everything

257 Listeners