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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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
Herd of Turtles (Rebroadcast) - 21 November 2022
If Grandma Had Wheels - 14 November 2022
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