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cover of episode Copacetic - 29 February 2016

Copacetic - 29 February 2016

2016/2/29
logo of podcast A Way with Words - language, linguistics, and callers from all over

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

Shownotes Transcript

Brand names, children’s games, and the etiquette of phone conversations. Those clever plastic PEZ dispensers come in all shapes and sizes—but where did the word PEZ come from? The popular candy’s name is the product of wordplay involving the German word for “peppermint.” Also, the story behind that sing-songy playground taunt: “Neener, neener, NEEEEEEEEEEner!” Listen closely, and you’ll hear the same melody as other familiar children’s songs. Finally, the process of ending a phone conversation is much more complex than you might think. Linguists call this verbal choreography “leave-taking.” It’s less about the literal meaning of the words and more about finding a way to agree it’s time to hang up. Also, hold ‘er Newtcopaceticdrupeletpluggerspantywaistthis little piggy, and the word with the bark on it

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