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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Scooter Pooting (Rebroadcast) - 4 July 2022
All That and a Bag of Chips - 27 June 2022
Gold Dance (Rebroadcast) - 20 June 2022
By a Long Shot (Rebroadcast) - 13 June 2022
Familiar Strangers - 6 June 2022
Word Hoard - 30 May 2022
When Pigs Fly (Rebroadcast) - 23 May 2022
Cool Beans (Rebroadcast) - 16 May 2022
You Talk Like a Sausage - 9 May 2022
Love Bites (Rebroadcast) - 2 May 2022
Pushing the Envelope - 25 April 2022
Lasagna Hog (Rebroadcast) - 18 April 2022
Primary Colors - 11 April 2022
Kiss the Cow (Rebroadcast) - 4 April 2022
Deep Fried Air - 28 March 2022
No Cap, No Lie (Rebroadcast) - 21 March 2022
East Overshoe - 14 March 2022
Lead on MacDuff (Rebroadcast) - 7 March 2022
Herd of Turtles - 28 February 2022
Tribble Trouble (Rebroadcast) - 21 February 2022
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