Why do speakers of the same language have different accents? A lively new book called Why We Talk Funny offers a linguist’s look at how and why accents develop. And: If you’ve “stood up” at a wedding, were you supporting the marriage or objecting to it? Plus, a new expression making the rounds: “AI breath.” It describes writing that seems as though it was artificially generated. Also, how to pronounce the name of Henry David Thoreau, when the moistures meet, scare the living daylights out of som...
May 11, 2026•54 min
High school students in Alabama share some favorite slang terms. If someone tells you to touch grass , they’re telling you to get a reality check — but the last thing you’d actually want to touch is dog water ! Also, the history of the word hangover , and the many names, in several languages, for the effects of drinking too much alcohol. Plus, Do you smell what I’m stepping in? If you do, that means you’re following what someone is saying to you. And Erin vs. Aaron , bloodynoun , cute little whi...
May 04, 2026•54 min
If you work in tech support, you might use snarky slang for problems caused by computer users themselves. There’s the acronym PEBCAK , for example, which stands for Problem Exists Between Chair and Keyboard . And: a lush poem about the sea inspired by kennings, those riddle-like compound terms from Old English. Plus, more vocabulary from RV enthusiasts: If you drive a motor home, what does it mean to be chasing 70 ? Also: ID10T problem , abasicky and sisper shame , how to pronounce antenna , Bil...
Apr 26, 2026•54 min
There are word nerds, and then there’s the woman who set up a folding chair on sidewalks throughout the country, cheerfully dispensing tips about grammar. She recounts her adventures in a new book. And the story of the brilliant pioneer of computing language whose name lives on in a familiar term. Plus, when you get a new haircut, beware of anyone yelling Rinktums! Noogies may follow! Also, slobgollion and slumgullion , comb graves , tearing up Jack , paging Dr. Armstrong , a brain teaser about ...
Apr 20, 2026•54 min
How do dictionaries define colors? And why are some of those definitions so confusing, like “stronger than carmine” and “bluer than fiesta”? Dictionary editor Kory Stamper explains it all in her new book. Plus, the story behind the expression more bang for your buck goes back to World War II. And did you know there’s a term for those pieces of green plastic fringe in supermarket displays that makes things look more appetizing? Keep an eye out for parsley runners ! Also: brolic , more bang for yo...
Apr 13, 2026•54 min
A caller wonders if she’s being hypersensitive about the way her boss addresses her in emails. Can the use of an employee’s first name ever reflect a power differential? And: a community choir director wants a term for “the act of gathering to sing for the pure joy of it, without ever preparing for a performance.” For her, the word rehearsal doesn’t really fit. Plus, what’s so funny about bananas, anyway? Why do we say That’s bananas! ? Also glacial erratic , a Swahili riddle, defenestration , o...
Apr 06, 2026•54 min
Language is always evolving, and that’s also true for American Sign Language. A century ago, the sign for “telephone” was one fist below your mouth and the other at your ear, as if you’re holding an old-fashioned candlestick phone. Now you can sign “phone” with a one-handed gesture. Plus, colorful restaurant slang from the hit TV show The Bear inspires a quiz about the language of the kitchen. And looking for a new way to say “It’s hot outside”? How about “It’s glorgy [GLOR-ghee] out there!” Plu...
Mar 30, 2026•54 min
Why does the term vegetarian cause so much confusion? Some people assume it means avoiding red meat but still eating chicken. And is there a term for a vegetarian who also eats fish and poultry? Plus, screwball comedies from the 1930s mix slapstick humor and clever dialogue. But how’d they get the name screwball? And if you’ve ever wondered when exactly pigs fly, how about… on Saint Never’s Day ! Also, ahead of the curve vs. ahead of the curb , cute aggression , That burns my onions and That fro...
Mar 23, 2026•54 min
How long can a newly married woman be called a bride? Does bride apply only as long as her wedding day, or does it extend right on through the couple’s silver anniversary and beyond? Plus, insightful advice about writing from a Pulitzer winner: Observe carefully, find what you’re uniquely qualified to say, and give voice to your own astonishment. And names of minor-league baseball teams are often a playful combination of nearby industries and a formidable animal. For example, where do the locals...
Mar 16, 2026•54 min
Over the centuries, the meaning of happiness has traveled a long way. Today we speak of the pursuit of happiness , but it used to be that the word happiness suggested something that occurs only by chance–something that simply… happens . Plus, the joys and challenges of learning a new language in adulthood. And: Ready for an adventure? Then prepare for some boondocking . Or wallydocking . Or maybe even some crackerdocking . You’ll want to know those terms and more if you travel in an RV. Plus, st...
Mar 09, 2026•54 min
Whether it’s a Rubik’s cube or a round of Wordle, why do so many of us find puzzles irresistible? A new book celebrates the allure and psychological benefits of brain teasers. Plus, powerful language for talking about the chronic illnesses and invisible disabilities that sap a person’s energy and focus. And what would you wear to a wet dress rehearsal? (Hint: You’ll need a helmet.) Plus ditloid , eat a peck of dirt before you die , a game to make you sigh, apologizing to fellow drivers, how to p...
Mar 02, 2026•54 min
Every subculture has its own secret lingo, whether you’re talking about surfers, cab drivers, or coffee-shop baristas. A new book uncovers the slang of everyone from stunt performers to department-store Santas and more. Plus, why is English so darn weird? Those odd spellings and weird pronunciations form a fascinating fossil record. And: a quiz where the actual object of the game is to spell words Incorrectly! Also, clabberhead , eating me out of house and home , can of sugar vs. canister of sug...
Feb 23, 2026•54 min
When a teenager went a week without talking as part of a school project, he noticed a surprising side effect: Instead of rehearsing a response to what other people were saying to him, he was focused on listening — and feeling smarter as a result. Plus, a flight attendant is irritated by a certain term she has to use frequently with passengers. Might there be a better word than de-plane ? And how do you pronounce the name of the Show-Me State? The answers you’ll hear are as variable as Midwest we...
Feb 16, 2026•54 min
Why is boxing called the sweet science when it’s obviously such a bruising sport? Also, a mother of five is baffled when her Gen Z kids use words she thought she knew. For example, they call sweatshirts sweaters , and declare that’s so aesthetic . Recording that vocabulary in a journal now could make for amusing reading for the grandkids later. And: the person on your block who’s always the first to put out their trash and recycling bins? That’s your binfluencer ! Plus jammies vs. jommies , open...
Feb 09, 2026•54 min
We tend to take the index of a book for granted, but centuries ago, these helpful lists were viewed with suspicion. Some even worried that indexes would harm reading comprehension! A witty new book tells the story. Plus, the Latin term bona fides was adopted into English to mean “good faith” or “authentic credentials.” But there’s more than one way to pronounce it. And: say you’re off at summer camp, and there’s a container in the dining hall labeled ort bucket . What will you find if you look i...
Feb 02, 2026•54 min
An acclaimed poet’s tender poem about holding a newborn for the first time reflects a complex swirl of emotions. And: A caller finds that in her workplace, the expression out of pocket can mean very different things: either “being unavailable” or “acting out of line.” Which is correct? Plus, if you plan on a long evening at a pub, better make sure you’re zebra striping ! All that, and poosley , noodle , Black Beauty , verschluck , a letter-splitting brain teaser, eating off the mantel , 50 cents...
Jan 26, 2026•54 min
If you take up texting and social media late in life, there’s a lot to learn! A twenty-something wants advice getting her dad up to speed on memes, Instagram, and animated images. Plus, when you’re on a long road trip, what do you call that one driver you keep passing on the freeway, or who sets the pace for your car mile after mile? Road buddy ? Some call them Follow Johns . Plus, the linguistic reason why some people say “SANG-wich” instead of “SAND-wich.” It’s a mouthful — literally! And: tha...
Jan 19, 2026•54 min
Ever wonder what medieval England looked and sounded like? In Old English, the word hord meant “treasure” and your wordhord was the treasure of words locked up inside you. A delightful new book uses the language of that period to create a vivid look at everyday life. Plus, a shotgun house is long and narrow with no hallway — just one room leading into the next. It’s an architectural style with a long history stretching from Africa to Haiti and into the American South. And: say you accidentally c...
Jan 12, 2026•54 min
Do you refer to your dog or cat as “somebody”? As in: When you love somebody that much, you don’t mind if they slobber . In other words, is your pet a somebody or a something ? Also, for centuries, there was little consistency in the way many English words were spelled. But long before the printing press helped to standardize spelling, powerful historical forces were already shaping how those words looked on the page. Plus, Irish words that are as handy as they are fun to say: bockety , which de...
Jan 05, 2026•54 min
Sure, there’s winter, spring, summer, and fall. But the seasons in between have even more poetic names. In Alaska, greenup describes a sudden, dramatic burst of green after a long, dark winter. And there are many, many terms for a cold snap that follows the first taste of spring: blackberry winter , redbud winter , onion snow , and whippoorwill storm , to name a few. Plus, the family that plays trivia games at home may end up cheering for their teen in high-school competitions. Also, playful pra...
Dec 29, 2025•54 min
Temperature blankets are a visual and tactile mirror of the day’s weather. Knitters use specific shades of yarn to match daily temperatures, creating a colorful, cozy record of weather across time. Plus, a new book chronicles the history and uncertain future of modern dictionaries. And: try replacing the term bucket list with bliss list . It’s a great strategy to help you focus on finding joy in small, meaningful moments every single day. Also, your epidermis is showing , a puzzle about funny pr...
Dec 22, 2025•54 min
In this bonus A Way with Words minicast, Martha and Grant look into the myriad stories behind the word cocktail . Does the drink name come from feathers? Horses? Something up a horse’s rump? It’s a weird wandering down etymology lane… Hear hundreds of free episodes and learn more on the A Way with Words website: https://waywordradio.org . Be a part of the show: call or text 1 (877) 929-9673 toll-free in the United States and Canada; elsewhere in the world, call or text +1 619 800 4...
Dec 19, 2025•7 min
If there’s a logophile on your gift list, you have lots of choices, including a new trivia game for language-lovers and a murder mystery for the word-obsessed. Plus, if someone calls you a schmoozer , should you be flattered or insulted? And if you’re on a road trip, there’s one place you definitely don’t want to get stuck, and that’s out where God lost his galoshes ! Also, go around the Wrekin , kibitz , chemin des écoliers , grob , gundeck , a gift-giving game, allegro vs. lento in linguistics...
Dec 15, 2025•54 min
In this bonus A Way with Words minicast, Martha and Grant step into the historic streets of Marblehead, Massachusetts, where the simple cry of “Down bucket!” could serve as a kind of local password. After they ponder that and other language of “Headers,” you’ll cry “Up for air!” Hear hundreds of free episodes and learn more on the A Way with Words website: https://waywordradio.org . Be a part of the show: call or text 1 (877) 929-9673 toll-free in the United States and Canada; elsewh...
Dec 11, 2025•4 min
Centuries ago, monks who took a vow of silence developed their own hand signs, with hundreds of gestures, that are still in use today. Plus, how do speakers of different languages distinguish similar shades and tints of colors such as red, yellow, and blue? It’s complicated! And: you don’t really need those little rivets on your blue jeans, do you? There’s a word for decorative elements that no longer serve a practical purpose: skeuomorphs . All that, along with butter of antimony , vein vs. vai...
Dec 08, 2025•54 min
In this bonus A Way with Words minicast, Martha and Grant explore the ways foreign place names transform on official maps and in local slang. Discover the stories behind names like “Picketwire” and “Key West,” showing how history and mishearings reshape the names we give our world. Hear hundreds of free episodes and learn more on the A Way with Words website: https://waywordradio.org . Be a part of the show: call or text 1 (877) 929-9673 toll-free in the United States and Canada; elsewhe...
Dec 04, 2025•5 min
A sumptuous new collection of poems about specific photographs shows how the moment in time captured by camera can inspire a verbal work of art as well. Also, why do we say that a quarterback got sacked ? Plus, If you’re planning to vacation at a textile-free resort, you probably don’t have to pack much. Non-textile means “clothing-optional”—or even “clothing-free”! Also, the phrase turned off cold , a puzzle about funny irregular plurals, finifugal , got the bots , leveling , Weltschmerz , chif...
Dec 01, 2025•54 min
Eels, orts, and Wordle! Sweden awarded its most prestigious literary award to a book about…eels. The Book of Eels reveals the mysterious life cycle of this sea creature and its significance for famous figures from Aristotle to Sigmund Freud. Plus, what’s an ort ? It’s the last bit of food left on a dinner plate — and whether or not you finish it can be a matter of manners. Also, an audio puzzle inspired by the popular game Wordle. Harder than it sounds! Plus ginnels , twittens , nerds , Not on y...
Nov 24, 2025•54 min
Whippoorwills, bob whites, and chickadees. How do we decide the names of birds and what to call their calls? Plus, the last syllables of Arkansas and Kansas are pronounced differently, but they come from the same etymological root. And: What’s the best word to describe your relationship with someone who’s less than a friend but closer than an acquaintance. Is that person one of your friendlies ? Also, knobbly monster , cuate , to have one’s bum in the butter , the meaning of confirming , Kelly d...
Nov 17, 2025•54 min
Some people work hard to lose their accent in order to fit in. Others may be homesick for the voices they grew up with and try to reclaim them. How can you regain your old accent? Also, a compelling book about scientific taxonomy shows how humans use language to try to divide up and impose order on the word. And Uff-dah! is an expressive word that means “Gee whiz!” or “Oy vey!” It’s also handy when lifting heavy objects. Plus, pigloos , pine shatters vs. pine needles , channel fever , a quiz abo...
Nov 10, 2025•54 min
