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

Light-hearted conversation with callers from all over about new words, old sayings, slang, family ex

Episodes

Total: 775

Hyperbolic Headlines Will Restore Your Faith In Humanity!!!! Or maybe not. You’ve seen those breathl

Is it time to replace the expression “the mentally ill”? Some argue the term unfairly stigmatizes a

Dude! We’re used to hearing the word “dude” applied to guys. But increasingly, young women use the w

For language lovers, it’s like New Year’s, Fourth of July, and the Super Bowl all rolled into one: T

It’s the business of business jargon. Say you’re in line at the drugstore. Does it bother you if the

A pint-sized mad scientist, a green-haired girl with a contagious sense of wonder, and a 10-year-old

Some people proudly embrace the label cancer survivor, while others feel that’s not quite the right

First names like “Patience,” “Hope,” and “Charity” are inspired by worthy qualities. But how about “

We all lead busy lives—so are speed reading courses a good idea? Plus, if you hear someone speaking

You’re in a business meeting. Is it bad manners to take out your phone to send or read a text? A new

If an older man and woman spend lots of time together, going to family gatherings and the like, but

Starting this year, Scripps National Spelling Bee contestants not only have to spell words correctly

What the fox says may be a mystery, but we do know that dogs bark differently around the world. In C

Online recaps of Mad Men or Breaking Bad can be as much fun as the shows themselves. So why not reca

What do your pronouns say about your own psychological makeup? If you use the word I a lot, does it

If you’re nibbling on slippery Jims or sipping sweet soup, chances are you’re in the Badger State. I

It’s the art of constructive feedback: If you’re a teacher with a mountain of papers to grade, you m

Sure, it’s scary to send your writing to a literary agent. But pity the poor agent who must wade thr

You pick up what you think a glass of water and take a sip, but it turns out to be Sprite. What’s th

Why call it a doggy bag when it’s really for your husband? Grant and Martha talk about the language