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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Cats and Dogs - 5 April 2023
Fair Dinkum - 3 April 2023
Put on the Dog (Rebroadcast) - 27 March 2023
Excuse the Hogs (Rebroadcast) - 20 March 2023
By a Landslide - 13 March 2023
All That and a Bag of Chips (Rebroadcast) - 6 March 2023
Big Dog - 27 February 2023
Familiar Strangers (Rebroadcast) - 20 February 2023
Hot Gossip - 13 February 2023
Word Hoard (Rebroadcast) - 6 February 2023
In the Ballpark - 30 January 2023
You Talk Like a Sausage (Rebroadcast) - 23 January 2023
Old College Try - 16 January 2023
Pushing the Envelope (Rebroadcast) - 9 January 2023
Primary Colors (Rebroadcast) - 2 January 2023
Deep-Fried Air (Rebroadcast) - 26 December 2022
Stub Your Toe - 19 December 2022
Big Bang - 12 December 2022
East Overshoe (Rebroadcast) - 5 December 2022
Snookums and Snicklefritz - 28 November 2022
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