A Way with Words
A Way with Words is a call-in show about words and language and how we use them. Author Martha Barnette and dictionary editor Grant Barrett take calls and questions about slang, grammar, old sayings, word origins, regional dialects, family expressions, and speaking and writing well. By looking at the world through the lens of language, A Way with Words offers a brand-new perspective on politics, pop culture, history, sports, music, science, literature, and foreign cultures. Funny, informative, and fast-paced, each hour-long episode includes a word puzzle and slang quiz.
IMPORTANT: If you decide to carry the program regularly, please email Grant Barrett <grant@waywordradio.org> so he can add you to the email list. The list notifies stations of new episodes and of which repeat episodes should be aired. If you are deciding what episode to air simply by looking at the latest files posted on PRX, then you are going to be out of sync!
People who work with A Way with Words
Pieces
This week on "A Way with Words," New York Times technology columnist David Pogue tries his hand at the slang quiz. Also, when is it better to use t...
Bought by WRVO
For the final word on grammar, many writers turn to the Associated Press Stylebook. But if you find that stylebook too stuffy, you’ll love Fake AP ...
Bought by WCAI / WNAN and WRVO
This week on "A Way with Words": If a woman decides to keep her own name after getting married, should she be addressed as Ms. or Mrs.? Also, Marth...
Bought by WCAI / WNAN and WRVO
This week on "A Way with Words," Martha and Grant talk about phrases you love to hate, like "Do you mind if I put you on hold?" They also talk abou...
Bought by WRVO
This week, it's headlines that make you do a doubletake, like "Child's Stool Great for Use in Garden." Martha and Grant discuss a few of these bloo...
Bought by WRVO
This week on A Way with Words: Sure, you might cheer on the Fighting Trojans, but what about the Hickman Kewpies? The hosts take a look at funny hi...
Bought by WRVO
This week on A Way with Words, crime novelist James Ellroy stops by to talk about slang from the underworld. And Martha tells the spooky story behi...
Bought by WRVO
This week on "A Way with Words": All aboard! It's the musical language of railroad conductors' calls. Also, Martha and Grant discuss the influence ...
Bought by WRVO
Anagrams, rebuses, cryptograms, Jumble -- Martha and Grant swap stories about the games that first made them realize that playing with words and le...
Bought by WRVO
This week, it's backhanded phrases, those snarky remarks that come sugar-coated in politeness, like "How nice for you," "Oh, interesting!," and the...
Bought by WRVO
Bavarian Chalet. Mushroom Basket. Moose Point. Who in the heck comes up with the names of paint chips, anyway? Must be the same people who get paid...
Bought by WRVO and KXOT Public Radio
News reports that the makers of Scrabble were changing the rules to allow proper names left some purists fuming. The rumors were false, but they go...
Bought by WRVO and KXOT Public Radio
Who was that masked man? Was it the Barefoot Bandit, the Mummy Bandit, or perhaps the Botox Bandit? Or maybe it was the Bad-Breath Bandit? The host...
Bought by WRVO and KXOT Public Radio
Digital timepieces may be changing the way we talk, at least a little. There's Bob o'clock (8:08), Big o'clock (8:19), and even Pi o'clock. Also th...
Bought by WRVO and KXOT Public Radio
Some teachers are using a controversial tactic to get students reading: They're letting the kids themselves choose which books to read for class. D...
Bought by WRVO and KXOT Public Radio
South African English is a rich mix of Afrikaans, English, and indigenous languages such as Zulu and Xhosa. Martha and Grant discuss some favorite ...
Bought by KXOT Public Radio and WRVO
A few pickles short of a jar, a few peas short of a casserole, two French fries short of a Happy Meal -- this week, Martha and Grant discuss these ...
Bought by WRVO and KXOT Public Radio
Is your beezy a tenderoni? If you're not sure what that means, find out in this chat about current college slang. Do you say something happened on ...
Bought by WRVO and KXOT Public Radio
What's the proper pronunciation of "gyros?" What's a good student dictionary? Ever heard of "poozley"? Is it "sheath cake" or "sheet cake"? Plus, b...
Bought by KXOT Public Radio and WRVO
What do you say if you have guests over and someone in your family has a stray bit of food left on his face? In some households, the secret warnin...
Bought by WRVO and KXOT Public Radio
