A Way with Words - language, linguistics, and callers from all over
Society & Culture
Crossword puzzles are a marvelous mental workout. A delightful new book about them shares plenty of crossword lore and puzzle-solving tips. Also, performers who tell each other break a leg aren’t really hoping someone gets hurt. The phrase stems from an old superstition that involves saying the opposite of what you really wish. And: is conversate a real word? You bet it is! Prepare for some serious conversating about this very useful term. Plus, the origin of quesadilla, kill two birds with one stone vs. feed two birds with one seed, touch base vs. touch bases, the different impact of short stories and novels, no te comas el coco, in bocca del lupo, you ate that haircut!, and a brain teaser about itsy-bitsy anagrams that’ll leave your mind feeling pulled through a knothole backwards.
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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At First Blush (Rebroadcast) - 4 January 2021
Gift Horse (Rebroadcast) - 28 December 2020
Like a Boiled Owl - 21 December 2020
Had the Radish (Rebroadcast) - 14 December 2020
Your Two Cents - 7 December 2020
Abso-Bloomin-Lutely (Rebroadcast) - 30 November 2020
Niblings and Nieflings (Rebroadcast) - 23 November 2020
Sock it to Me - 16 November 2020
Kite in a Phonebooth (Rebroadcast) - 9 November 2020
Strawberry Moon (Rebroadcast) - 2 November 2020
Good Vibrations - 26 October 2020
Spill The Tea (Rebroadcast) - 19 October 2020
Mystery Drawer - 12 October 2020
Dirty Laundry (Rebroadcast) - 5 October 2020
Keep Your Powder Dry (Rebroadcast) - 28 September 2020
One Armed Paper Hanger (Rebroadcast) - 21 September 2020
Deviled Eggs - 14 September 2020
Hair On Your Tongue (Rebroadcast) - 7 September 2020
Play It By Ear - 31 August 2020
Train of Thought (Rebroadcast) - 24 August 2020
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