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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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
Navel Gazing (Rebroadcast) - 27 September 2021
Yak Shaving (Rebroadcast) - 20 September 2021
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