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.
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Snookums and Snicklefritz - 28 November 2022
Herd of Turtles (Rebroadcast) - 21 November 2022
If Grandma Had Wheels - 14 November 2022
Mittens in Moonlight (Rebroadcast) - 7 November 2022
Diamond Dust (Rebroadcast) - 31 October 2022
Sleepy Winks (Rebroadcast) - 24 October 2022
Touch Grass - 17 October 2022
Made from Scratch (Rebroadcast) - 10 October 2022
Salad Days (Rebroadcast) - 3 October 2022
Funny Papers - 26 September 2022
Your Imaginary Boyfriend (Rebroadcast) - 19 September 2022
Go Bananas - 12 September 2022
What in Tarnation - 29 August 2022
Forty Eleven Zillion (Rebroadcast) - 22 August 2022
Blue Streak - 15 August 2022
Mystery Date (Rebroadcast) - 8 August 2022
I Don't Have the Spoons - 1 August 2022
Sour Pickle (Rebroadcast) - 25 July 2022
Not My Circus (Rebroadcast) - 18 July 2022
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