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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Sticky Wicket - 21 August 2023
Ding Ding Man (Rebroadcast) - 14 August 2023
Gleam in Your Eye - 7 August 2023
Take Tea for the Fever (Rebroadcast) - 31 July 2023
Alligator Mouth - 24 July 2023
Sun Dog (Rebroadcast) - 17 July 2023
High Jinks - 10 July 2023
Oh For Cute (Rebroadcast) - 3 July 2023
Coinkydink (Rebroadcast) - 26 June 2023
Spinning Cookies - 19 June 2023
Up Your Alley (Rebroadcast) - 12 June 2023
Just Skylarking - 5 June 2023
Piping Hot (Rebroadcast) - 29 May 2023
Folding Money - 22 May 2023
Mimeographs and Dittos (Rebroadcast) - 15 May 2023
Takes the Cake - 8 May 2023
Truth and Beauty (Rebroadcast) - 1 May 2023
Dessert Stomach (Rebroadcast) - 24 April 2023
Blessing Box - 17 April 2023
Cool Your Soup (Rebroadcast) - 10 April 2023
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