A Chaneski From Guy John Our Puzzle Word

You’re listening to A Way with Words, the show about language and how we use it.

I’m Martha Barnette.

And I’m Grant Barrett.

And just back from the Cockney Spelling Bee, where he was sweeping up all the dropped letters,

It’s our quiz guy, John Chanesky.

Oh, hi, guys.

They keep me so busy at that Cockney Spelling Bee.

That’s why I go there.

A lot of work available.

You know, I recently saw a video by filmmaker Matt Busey, in which he takes the 1939 movie

The Wizard of Oz, and rearranges the entire film so all the words are in alphabetical order.

That is, he cuts and edits it.

So every instance of every word, including articles, are together and in order.

It’s called Of Oz the Wizard.

And of course, after the opening credits, the first 35 seconds is just dozens of clips of characters saying

Or a.

And that’s followed by and i.

Until about 4 minutes and 45 we get about followed by above.

And this continues all the way through the movie

Till the last alphabetical word in The Wizard of Oz

When the tin man sings the word zipper.

And of course the final title card reads,

And the.

Alphabetical order, can you believe it?

Naturally, I wondered what would happen

If we were to unleash Matt Busey on other works of art,

Other movies, books, TV shows,

And at least the titles at least.

For example, if the National Anthem of the United States were organized the same way, the title would be Banner Star Spangled The.

Got it?

Mm—

Alphabetical order.

Good.

I’ll hint a work or a phrase, and you tell me the alphabetical title.

You might need a pencil for this, though if you want to challenge yourself, do it in your head.

We’ll start easy with three-word phrases.

And yes, articles count.

Okay?

Here we go.

Okay.

This 1967 Fade on Away Warren Beatty film classic about two bank robbers starts off the alphabetization pretty neatly.

And Bonnie Clyde.

Martha said it non-alphabetized. What was it, Grant?

And Bonnie Clyde.

And Bonnie Clyde, yes. A, B, C. Very good.

Oh, oh, we have to alphabetize the letters?

The title, the words. The words in the title.

Oh my gosh, okay.

All right. Now, if you’re ever on the London Underground, you’re likely to hear this warning to watch where you’re going.

Gap, mind, the.

Gap, mind, the.

Yes, gap, mind, the. Very good. Gap, mind, the.

Prince plays all the instruments on this 1984 song, which was his very first Billboard number one hit and is alphabetically back to front.

Cry Doves win.

Cry Doves win. Good.

This is what it sounds like.

Cry Doves When.

Very good.

Let’s move on to four-word titles and phrases.

This 1959 Billy Wilder comedy features Marilyn Monroe, Jack Lemmon, Tony Curtis all wearing dresses.

Its title responds to a statement about how jazz might be appreciated by a select few.

Oh, let’s see.

Hot It Like Some.

Hot It Like Some.

Yes, Some Like It Hot.

Very good.

This four-word rhyming phrase is often said to those on their way out.

It prominently features a reptile.

Oh, goodness.

Okay.

Alligator, later see you.

Alligator, later see you.

See you later.

Alligator, nicely done.

You guys were fantastic.

That was great.

Oh, amazing, John, that was.

I sound like Yoda.

And we’ll talk to you next time. Thank you so much. Really appreciate the quiz.

Care take.

Bye-bye.

Join us in our mental workout here. Call us to talk about any aspect of language whatsoever. 877-929-9673.