A Way with Words

GroupAccount image
A Way with Words is an upbeat and lively hour-long public radio show about language examined through history, culture, and family. Co-hosts Martha Barnette and Grant Barrett talk with callers from around the world about slang, grammar, old sayings, word origins, regional dialects, family expressions, and speaking and writing well. They settle disputes, play word quizzes, and discuss language news and controversies.

What it is: Martha and Grant are the teachers you wish you’d had. The show is upbeat, lively, conversational, fresh, contemporary. It’s a positive, information-based look at what is really happening with all aspects of modern language and communication, using anecdotes, culture, relationships, and families as starting points. There’s a lot of first-hand, primary research and professional language experience that informs the dialogue.

What it’s not: The show is not a couple of cobwebbed school-marms giving lectures. There’s almost no chiding, tsk-tsking, or finger-wagging. Nor is it simply a recitation of what one could easily find in a Google search. There’s also no ranting about language going to hell in a handbasket or the slang of kids today. In fact, what Martha and Grant have to say about the state of the English language may surprise you.

See what program directors are saying about the show.

Find out more about the program.

Get the show on PRSS/Content Depot.

Email Grant Barrett with questions.

Pieces

Piece image
How much humor and personality can you pack into a 140-character update? A lot, it turns out. Martha and Grant talk about funny Twitter feeds. Also...

Bought by WCNP-FM, WRNC-LP, WRVO, and KXOT Public Radio


  • Added: Jun 09, 2011
  • Length: 54:00
  • Purchases: 4
Piece image
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 WCNP-FM, WRNC-LP, and WRVO


  • Added: Jun 02, 2011
  • Length: 54:00
  • Purchases: 3
Piece image
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 WCNP-FM, WRNC-LP, KXOT Public Radio, and WRVO


  • Added: May 05, 2011
  • Length: 54:00
  • Purchases: 4
Piece image
When it comes to language, who's the decider? Grant explains how grammar rules develop. Also, what's tarantula juice, and what's the difference bet...

Bought by WCNP-FM, WRNC-LP, North Country Public Radio, WRVO, and KXOT Public Radio


  • Added: Apr 28, 2011
  • Length: 54:00
  • Purchases: 5
Piece image
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 WCNP-FM, WRNC-LP, WRVO, and KXOT Public Radio


  • Added: Apr 20, 2011
  • Length: 54:00
  • Purchases: 4
Piece image
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 WCNP-FM, KREV-LP, WRNC-LP, KXOT Public Radio, and WRVO


  • Added: Apr 13, 2011
  • Length: 54:00
  • Purchases: 5
Piece image
This week on "A Way with Words": It's fun Facebook groups for grammar lovers! Also, Martha and Grant talk about apostrophes, and when to use the wo...

Bought by WCNP-FM, WRVO, and KXOT Public Radio


  • Added: Mar 23, 2011
  • Length: 54:00
  • Purchases: 3
Piece image
This week on "A Way with Words," everybody talks about the weather, but only Martha and Grant will tell you the meaning of the weather terms "parky...

Bought by WCNP-FM, WRNC-LP, KXOT Public Radio, and WRVO


  • Added: Mar 16, 2011
  • Length: 54:00
  • Purchases: 4
Piece image
Need a good Scrabble word? Grant shares some of his favorites, and invites listeners to challenge him on "Words with Friends." Also, why do we call...

Bought by WRNC-LP, WCNP-FM, KXOT Public Radio, and WRVO


  • Added: Mar 09, 2011
  • Length: 54:00
  • Purchases: 4
Piece image
What was your first word? Grant and Martha talk about how children acquire language. Also, if you say that something's in your wheelhouse, you mean...

Bought by WCNP-FM, WRVO, WRNC-LP, and KXOT Public Radio


  • Added: Mar 03, 2011
  • Length: 54:00
  • Purchases: 4
Piece image
This week on "A Way with Words," what's in a pet name? Martha and Grant talk about how they came up with names for their dogs. Also this week: Have...

Bought by WCNP-FM, WRNC-LP, and WRVO


  • Added: Jan 27, 2011
  • Length: 54:00
  • Purchases: 3
Piece image
What would you serve a plumber who comes over for dinner? How about ... leeks? The hosts play a word game called "What Would You Serve?" Also, how ...

Bought by WCNP-FM, WRNC-LP, KXOT Public Radio, WFYI, and WRVO


  • Added: Jan 12, 2011
  • Length: 54:00
  • Purchases: 5
Piece image
This week on "A Way with Words": If a woman decides to keep her own name after getting married, should she be address as Ms. or Mrs.? Also, Martha ...

Bought by WEZU, WCNP-FM, KXOT Public Radio, WRVO, and KMXT


  • Added: Jan 05, 2011
  • Length: 54:00
  • Purchases: 5