A Way with Words - language, linguistics, and callers from all over
Society & Culture
The words tough, through, and dough all end in O-U-G-H. So why don't they rhyme? A lively new book addresses the many quirks of English by explaining the history of words and phrases. And: have you ever been in a situation where a group makes a decision to do something, only to discover later that no one really wanted to do that thing in the first place? There's a term for that! Plus, the sounds we make when we're simply passing the time or waiting a few seconds for something to happen. It can sound like a "whoosh" or barely audible humming or even the theme from Jeopardy! Also, toe the line vs. tow the line, Dirty Gertie, one Mississippi vs. one Piccadilly, cardboard dog vs. rubber duck, sand-hundred, beefed it, a rhyming puzzle, and doofus, and more. All that for under a buck three-eighty!
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
Clever Clogs (Rebroadcast) - 3 June 2024
Bug in Your Ear (Rebroadcast) - 27 May 2024
The Black Dog (Rebroadcast) - 20 May 2024
Animal Crackers - 13 May 2024
Beside Myself (Rebroadcast) - 6 May 2024
Skookum (Rebroadcast) - 29 April 2024
Electric Soup - 22 April 2024
Life of Riley (Rebroadcast) - 15 April 2024
Blue Dolphin - 8 April 2024
Off the Turnip Truck (Rebroadcast) - 1 April 2024
Gilded Age - 25 March 2024
Loaded For Bear (Rebroadcast) - 18 March 2024
Bronx Cheer - 11 March 2024
Mrs. Astor's Horse (Rebroadcast) - 4 March 2024
Ghost Runner - 26 February 2024
At First Blush (Rebroadcast) - 19 February 2024
Sweet Spot - 12 February 2024
Gift Horse (Rebroadcast) - 5 February 2024
Had the Radish (Rebroadcast) - 29 January 2024
Orange Pigs - 22 January 2024
Create your
podcast in
minutes
It is Free
The Modern West
Just Dumb Enough Podcast
Voices of Misery Podcast
House of Whimsical Terror
Stuff You Should Know
Timcast IRL