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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Mittens in Moonlight (#1586)
Ring-Tailed Tooter (Rebroadcast) - 7 February 2022
What the Blazes (Rebroadcast) - 31 January 2022
Mudlarking (Rebroadcast) - 24 January 2022
Diamond Dust - 17 January 2022
Sleepy Winks - 10 January 2022
Snaggletooth (Rebroadcast) - 3 January 2021
Like a Boiled Owl (Rebroadcast) - 27 December 2021
Your Two Cents (Rebroadcast) - 20 December 2021
Made from Scratch - 13 December 2021
Deviled Eggs (Rebroadcast) - 6 December 2021
Good Vibrations (Rebroadcast) - 29 November 2021
Salad Days - 22 November 2021
Mystery Drawer (Rebroadcast) - 15 November 2021
Your Imaginary Boyfriend - 8 November 2021
Sock it to Me (Rebroadcast) - 1 November 2021
Beefed It - 25 October 2021
Moon Palace (Rebroadcast) - 18 October 2021
Forty-Eleven Zillion - 11 October 2021
Cherry Bombs (Rebroadcast) - 4 October 2021
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