“A” is for Amusing Word Game

You’re listening to A Way with Words. I’m Martha Barnette.

And I’m Grant Barrett, and we’re joined once again by our quiz guide, John Chaneski.

Hello, John.

Hi, Grant and Martha. How are you guys doing?

Welcome back, buddy. What’s been cooking?

Now, I don’t know if either of you have ever read any of Sue Grafton’s novels.

She’s a Louisville girl, yes.

Occasionally, yeah.

Terrific. Occasionally, good.

Yeah, I’m halfway through one right now, but I can’t tell you which one because it forms part of this quiz.

Oh, I see.

Yeah. You may have heard of her Alphabet series, right?

Yes.

Its lead character is private investigator Kinsey Malone.

The reason it’s called the Alphabet Series is because Grafton’s book titles begin with A is for something, B is for something else.

Now, the words that these letters begin are all appropriate to some degree to a mystery novel.

For example, the first book is A is for an excuse usually intended to avert blame or punishment.

Do you know what A is for?

Alibi.

Yes, A is for alibi.

Very good.

We’re just going to do a few of these.

Let’s see how many we get.

I’ll give you the letter.

Let’s see if you can guess the book title.

Now, if you need a clue, detectives, I will give you the definition of the word, okay?

All right.

Excellent.

Your big clue is these are all words relating to mystery.

Okay.

B is for?

Burglar?

Yes, B is for burglar, one who commits the act of breaking and entering to commit a felony.

Very nice.

E is for?

Any guesses?

Extortionist.

No, that’s a good guess, though.

Eulogy.

Not eulogy.

E is for something that furnishes proof and outward sign.

Evidence.

Yes, evidence.

G is for?

Graft.

It’s a slang term, rather archaic, for a detective.

For a detective.

Gunslinger.

Gumshoe.

Gumshoe.

Gumshoe is right.

G is for gumshoe.

H is for?

Holmes.

No.

H is for?

Kinsey can hold her own.

Homicide.

Homicide is right, Grant.

Very good, without a clue.

I is for?

Inquiry.

Inquisition.

Inquest.

These are great.

No, not inquest.

I is for free from legal guilt or fault.

Innocent.

Innocent is correct.

J is for?

Jurisprudence.

J is for jury.

It has to do with a court, not jury.

J is for judge.

Judgment.

Judgment.

Yes.

K is for?

K is for one who commits the H word.

K is for killer.

Oh, okay.

N is for?

Nolo.

What’s that?

Nolo.

Nolo.

There’s a legal term for you.

Very good.

Very good crossword entry.

A loop with a slipknot that binds together the more it is drawn.

Yes, noose.

Very good.

O is for?

Opportunity.

O is for?

Good.

For a person who is lawless.

Outlaw.

Outlaw.

O is for outlaw.

Very good.

Q is for?

One that is sought or pursued?

Quarry.

Quarry, yes.

R is for?

Think firearms here.

Revolver.

No, it’s not revolver.

Think of a glancing rebound.

A ricochet.

Ricochet.

Ricochet.

R is for ricochet.

Okay, only a few more.

U is for?

Under.

Unsolved.

Taker.

Under is a way to go, yeah, not unsolved.

Undercover?

No.

This is specific to beaches and the sea.

Toe.

Under toe.

He was for under toe, yes.

V is for?

Vengeance.

Vengeance is correct.

Vengeance will be mine.

Yes, it will be his.

Give it to him.

That’s right.

Thank you.

Here’s the last one, the 23rd.

W is for?

Unprofitably used, made, or expended?

Wasted.

Yes, wasted.

Just like we’ve wasted this time doing this class.

So nice to waste another 15 minutes with you, John.

Another 15, 20 minutes or so.

Thanks, John.

Really appreciate it.

Thank you, guys.

We’ll see you next week, all right?

See you then.

Bye-bye.

Same time, same bad channel.

Yes.

Thank you, sir.

And if you want to talk language and words with us, the number to call is 877-929-9673.

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