A Way with Words - language, linguistics, and callers from all over
Society & Culture
If you skip wearing underwear, you’re said to be going commando. This bit of slang originated during the Vietnam War, when U.S. commandos had compelling reasons to do without that particular piece of clothing. Plus, Watergate salad is a mixture of pistachio pudding with whipped cream and pineapple. This dish was popularized in the 1970s, but what does it have anything to do with the scandal that brought down a president? Also: The practice of blurring out images or text in ads or movies helps avoid giving free advertising to a sponsor’s competitor. This strategy is called greeking, but why? The answer is Greek to us! All that, and buveur d’encre, clodhopper, a wild and wooly quiz, fantasy fiction, insure vs. ensure, live vs. stay, get outside of a meal,green goop, mean green, whale fall, and the long and winding etymological route of a name for “eggplant,” brinjal.
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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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
Moon Palace - 17 August 2020
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