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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Kite in a Phonebooth (Rebroadcast) - 25 December 2023
Takes All Kinds - 18 December 2023
Strawberry Moon (Rebroadcast) - 11 December 2023
Highway Robbery - 4 December 2023
Spill the Tea (Rebroadcast) - 27 November 2023
Dirty Laundry (Rebroadcast) - 20 November 2023
Strong Coffee - 13 November 2023
Keep Your Powder Dry (Rebroadcast) - 6 November 2023
One-Armed Paper Hanger (Rebroadcast) - 30 October 2023
Hair on Your Tongue (Rebroadcast) - 23 October 2023
Train of Thought (Rebroadcast) - 16 October 2023
Space Cadet (Rebroadcast) - 9 October 2023
Howling Fantods (Rebroadcast) - 2 October 2023
Pizza Bones - 25 September 2023
Bottled Sunshine (Rebroadcast) - 18 September 2023
Endless Summer - 11 September 2023
Care Package (Rebroadcast) - 4 September 2023
Cootie Shot (Rebroadcast) - 28 August 2023
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