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

What the Blazes (Rebroadcast) - 31 January 2022


Listen Later

What kind of book do people ask for most often in prison? Romance novels? No. The Bible? No. The most requested books by far are … dictionaries! A number of volunteer organizations gather and distribute used dictionaries to help inmates with reading, writing, and schoolwork. Plus: For some low-tech family fun, how about egg-tapping? Traditionally played after on Easter, the game involves smacking a hard-boiled egg against an opponent’s. The person who ends up with an uncracked egg wins. And: Just how common is it to give a goofy name to a household appliance? Even your garbage disposal might get a moniker! Also, chelidonknock the stink offpony kegpineapple posturesprunnywash-ashorestrailblazer, a punny puzzle about song titles, a Norwegian idiom that means “empty-headed,” a bagpipe serenade, and more. Dinna fash!

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]. Twitter @wayword. 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

2,137 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

6,069 Listeners

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

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

3,010 Listeners

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

Wait Wait... Don't Tell Me!

38,639 Listeners

Radiolab by WNYC Studios

Radiolab

43,926 Listeners

Fresh Air by NPR

Fresh Air

38,152 Listeners

The Best of Car Talk by NPR

The Best of Car Talk

16,525 Listeners

To The Best Of Our Knowledge by Wisconsin Public Radio

To The Best Of Our Knowledge

934 Listeners

Hidden Brain by Hidden Brain, Shankar Vedantam

Hidden Brain

43,491 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

810 Listeners

Christopher Kimball’s Milk Street Radio by Milk Street Radio

Christopher Kimball’s Milk Street Radio

2,947 Listeners

Go Fact Yourself by MaximumFun.org

Go Fact Yourself

833 Listeners

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

Nobody Listens to Paula Poundstone

4,007 Listeners

Mobituaries with Mo Rocca by iHeartPodcasts and CBS News

Mobituaries with Mo Rocca

22,590 Listeners

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

Words Unravelled with RobWords and Jess Zafarris

87 Listeners

How To Do Everything by NPR

How To Do Everything

257 Listeners