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cover of episode When Pigs Fly (Rebroadcast) - 14 April 2025

When Pigs Fly (Rebroadcast) - 14 April 2025

2025/4/14
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
AI Chapters Transcript
Chapters
A nurse from Alaska shares a funny phrase her patients use after surgery or vaccination: "I haven't grown gills yet." The hosts discuss the phrase's possible origins and generational aspects, noting its humor in serious situations.
  • The phrase "I haven't grown gills yet" is used jocularly by patients recovering from surgery or vaccination.
  • It's discussed as possibly a generational thing, with older people using it more.
  • The humor is seen as a coping mechanism for dealing with serious situations.

Shownotes Transcript

Don’t move my cheese! It’s a phrase middle managers use to talk about adapting to change in the workplace. Plus, the origin story of the name William, and why it’s Guillermo in Spanish. And a five-year-old poses a question that puzzles a lot of people: Why is the letter Q so often followed by a U? All that, and adynaton, an assonant quiz, do it up brown, salt of the earth, haven’t grown gills yet, wooling, a silly joke about the number one, a poem about regret, and hide-and-seek calls, such as Ole Ole Olson all in free!

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

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