A Way with Words - language, linguistics, and callers from all over

Latest Episodes:

Alligator Mouth (Rebroadcast) - 19 October 2026 Oct 19, 2026

Show notes

Kinbank is a new database that illustrates the global diversity of family terms. English, for example, specifies sibling relationships with just one of two terms: sister or brother. But most other languages have even more specific terms. In Japanese, for instance, there’s a single word for “older brother” and another for “younger sister.” Plus, confused by all the names in Russian novels? Characters often go by more than one name, but there are strategies for keeping them all straight. And: why someone who’s pepper-nosed isn’t going to welcome that new pickleball court next door. Also, slide out on one’s ear, a game about life in alternate universes, Konglish, uce, how one’s accent develops, Du gehst mir auf den Keks, why someone who is heavily drugged is said to be snowed, and kangaroo words.

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 4443. Send voice notes or messages via WhatsApp 16198004443. Email words@waywordradio.org. Copyright Wayword, Inc., a 501(c)(3) corporation.

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High Jinks (Rebroadcast) - 12 October 2026 Oct 12, 2026

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For many people, religion provides language and rituals for key milestones in life, from births to weddings to funerals. But what if you don't ascribe to any particular religion? What words do you use to mark those moments? An uplifting new book suggests turning to the language of poetry to honor lifecycle events. And speaking of rituals, if you say Rabbit Rabbit before you say anything else on the first day of every month, supposedly you'll have good luck. But if you forget, don't worry-- there's a remedy for that! Plus, kitbag question, petrichor, a puzzle about funny synonyms, waltzing Matilda, tut and tsk, gee whittaker, be-bopping, and If you don't chance your arm, you won't break your neck.

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Spinning Cookies (Rebroadcast) - 5 October 2026 Oct 05, 2026

Show notes

A book of photographs and essays by famous writers celebrates libraries — and the librarians who changed their lives. Plus cutting doughnuts, spinning cookies, and pulling brodies: There are lots of ways to talk about spinning a car in circles on purpose. And if there’s gravel, well, that just makes it more fun! And if you’re faffing about at work, are you busy or idle? Also, Kushtaka, Cooter Brown, fafflement, a puzzle about homographs, toboggan, an inspiring letter from E.B. White, bags not!, the admonition be particular! and more.

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Just Skylarking (Rebroadcast) - 28 September 2026 Sep 28, 2026

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The art of the invitation can be tricky. An inviter’s idea of invitation may be taken by an invitee as merely mentioning an event while they’re nearby. One such a misunderstanding went on for months! Plus, George Saunders, winner of the Booker Prize, says some of the best advice about crafting a story comes from Dr. Seuss. And the icebreaker that doubles as a Dad joke: Do you live around here or ride a bicycle? Wait, what??? Also, stodgy, claggy, undertaker, a fill-in-the-blanks brain teaser, funny childhood misunderstandings, antimetabole and chiasmus, widow’s peak, skylarking, and why some people pronounce the word wash as warsh.

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Carpe Diem - 21 September 2026 Sep 21, 2026

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Carpe diem! A new book reveals the surprisingly unfamiliar stories behind familiar quotations. Also: Rock climbers have gumbies, and surfers have kooks. What do those words say about beginners who have more confidence than experience? Plus, if you’re planning a night on the tiles, where exactly are you headed? And doggerel from a century ago, canine hassling, kerfuffle, oofless, a quiz about Greek letters, Lucky lucky white horse ding dong day, whatever I wish, bring me today, sending newbies for frequency grease, and sitting with the bathtub.

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Folding Money (Rebroadcast) - 14 September 2026 Sep 14, 2026

Show notes

Barbara Kingsolver’s book Demon Copperhead is a retelling of Charles Dickens’ David Copperfield set in today’s Appalachia. Martha shares memories of a long-ago visit to Kingsolver’s family farm in Virginia, where they discussed many of the same issues covered in this Pulitzer-winning novel. Plus, how could the Carp River in Michigan have that name long before carp existed in the area? The answer is in the history of immigration. And a high-schooler asks how throwing someone under the bus became a synonym for betrayal. Also: willipus-wallipus, lapslock, Fortune favors the audacious, del año del caldo, nonce words, a brain teaser with rhyming answers, a punning joke about Switzerland, clink, jing, jinglers, and janglers, drop a dime, and You shred it, wheat!

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Takes the Cake (Rebroadcast) - 7 September 2026 Sep 07, 2026

Show notes

What do you call a long sandwich filled with lots of ingredients? Whether you call it a sub, a hoagie, a grinder, or something else entirely depends on where you’re from. And: Martha’s visit to an Alaskan reindeer ranch reveals why you really do hear click, click, click when reindeer walk, and how these elegant animals got their name. Plus, if it’s time to dodo your baby, what will you need to do next? Also, whippersnapper, rangiferine, sidesaddle gift, a quiz about missing links, gatsby, spuckie, garibaldi, haint blue, take the cake, Zep, yampy, defulgaty and cafugelty, and the polite riposte More tea, vicar?

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Secret Code - 31 August 2026 Aug 31, 2026

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“Are we ready to order yet?” Why do restaurant servers use the word “we” when they’re not eating with you or helping you pay the bill? And a story of Cold War intrigue: A young saxophone player’s clever ruse to smuggle information past KGB agents by encoding it in sheet music. Plus: colorful bird names, including bananaquit, ticking doradito, and invisible rail! Also, woods colt, a word game about letters smushed together, calidor, yell like a fishwife, whether bowl and bull sound alike, flabbergasted, and them’s the berries!

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Blessing Box (Rebroadcast) - 24 August 2026 Aug 24, 2026

Show notes

Is there such a thing as a “neutral” accent, and if so what does it sound like? And that quirk in the way southern Californians talk about freeways. They’ll say things like take the 405 and get on the 8. Why the definite article? Plus, those Little Free Libraries filled with books have inspired another kind of giving: little free pantries stocked with canned foods and other household items for anyone in need. They’re called blessing boxes. Also, Kabelsalat, vigesimal, a take-off puzzle, red rag, s’occuper de ses oignons, a holiday left on a wall, snake’s honeymoon, powdered it, throwing smoke, and why married couples may persist in calling each other Mother and Father long after their children are grown.

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Apple Turnover - 17 August 2026 Aug 17, 2026

Show notes

Critters, co-workers, and clothes: What do you call your favorite mixed-breed dog? There are Heinz 57 mutts and Texas brown dogs in the U.S., while in parts of the Caribbean they’re called potcakes and coconut retrievers. Plus, among firefighters, if you’re not pulling your weight, you’re called a bagger, a term with military origins. And: if your clothes are piled high on the floor and not in the closet, that’s what you call a floordrobe. Also, curbstone sitters, sky-blue pink, a poem about cornbread, the lurgy vs. the crud, turn on the lights vs. turn off the lights, absolute weapon, a word puzzle with pairs of words, autocorrect vs. autocorrupt, an axe to grind, and for crying out loud!

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