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cover of episode That Old-Book Smell - 30 September 2013

That Old-Book Smell - 30 September 2013

2013/9/29
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

You walk into a used bookstore, or pull down an old volume at the library, and there it is: The smell of old books. If you detect notes of vanilla in that intoxicating scent, there’s a reason. Also, why some people think the word awesome is overused, why Comic Sans is a font almost universally reviled, and the origin of the phrase “around Robin Hood’s barn.” Plus, chuck it vs. chunk itsharing out, the dummy it, intellectual jokes, and the answers some parents give when a kid asks one too many questions. As in, “Daddy, what’s that?” “Why, it’s a wiggly-woggler for grinding smoke!”

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 [email protected]). Twitter @wayword). Copyright Wayword, Inc., a 501(c)(3) corporation.

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