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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Love Bites - 17 May 2021
Little Shavers (Rebroadcast) - 10 May 2021
Lasagna Hog - 3 May 2021
Bug in Your Ear (Rebroadcast) - 26 April 2021
Kiss the Cow - 19 April 2021
The Black Dog (Rebroadcast) - 12 April 2021
No Cap, No Lie - 5 April 2021
Beside Myself (Rebroadcast) - 29 March 2021
Lead on, Macduff! (#1565)
Skookum (Rebroadcast) - 15 March 2021
Tribble Trouble - 8 March 2021
Life of Riley (Rebroadcast) - 1 March 2021
Ring-Tailed Tooter - 22 February 2021
Off the Turnip Truck (Rebroadcast) - 15 February 2021
What the Blazes? - 8 February 2021
Loaded for Bear (Rebroadcast) - 2 February 2021
Mudlarking - 25 January 2021
Mrs. Astor's Horse (Rebroadcast) - 18 January 2021
Snaggletooth - 11 January 2021
At First Blush (Rebroadcast) - 4 January 2021
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