A Way with Words - language, linguistics, and callers from all over
Society & Culture
In Japan, if you want to order a corndog, you ask for an Amerikan doggu (アメリカンドッグ). These types of coinages are called wasei-eigo , or “Japanese-made English,” and there are lots of them. Plus, there’s an atmospheric optical phenomenon that looks somewhat like the aurora borealis, but has a much friendlier name. Scientists refer to these ribbons of color as … Steve. And: need a synonym for the word “conspicuous”? There’s always kenspeckle . Also, nitnoy , faire la grasse matinée , sunday-to-meeting , sana, sana, colita de rana, a codebreaker who solves a years-long mystery, a brain teaser about action-packed metaphors, ghostie , gander’s arch , fluffle , and more.
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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The Black Dog - 25 November 2019
Flying Pickle (Rebroadcast) - 18 November 2019
The Last Straw (Rebroadcast) - 11 November 2019
Beside Myself - 4 November 2019
Hidden Treasures (Rebroadcast) - 28 October 2019
Skookum - 21 October 2019
Butterflies in the Stomach (Rebroadcast) - 14 October 2019
Life of Riley - 7 October 2019
Catch You on the Flip Side (Rebroadcast) - 30 September 2019
Off the Turnip Truck - 23 September 2019
Loaded For Bear - 16 September 2019
All Verklempt (Rebroadcast) - 9 September 2019
Hunk Waffle (Rebroadcast) - 2 September 2019
Pants On Fire (Rebroadcast) - 26 August 2019
Frozen Rope (Rebroadcast) - 19 August 2019
Flop Sweat (Rebroadcast) - 12 August 2019
Smile Belt (Rebroadcast) - 5 August 2019
Mrs. Astor's Horse - 29 July 2019
A Shoo-In (Rebroadcast) - 22 July 2019
At First Blush - 15 July 2019
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