Our Quiz Guy John Chaneski has a game of aptronyms for people whose names fit certain locations or conditions. For example, a guy hanging onto a wall might be named Art. Or what do you call a woman between two buildings? Ally! This is part of a complete episode.
Transcript of “Aptronym 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.
Hello, Grant. Hello, Martha. I’m back.
Welcome back. Where are you coming from?
From the puzzle mines.
Oh.
Going down deep into the earth and mining good quality quizzes.
So did anything fall off the shovel while you were down there digging that you can share with us?
Yes, I found this little… Let me just blow this… Let me just dust this off here.
You guys know aptronyms.
Yeah, sure.
They’re names that are particularly suited to people.
For example, can you think of a former number one women’s tennis player from Australia with an apt last name?
Margaret Court.
Margaret Court is right.
What a great name.
We’re going to have a little quiz on aptronyms, but these are more general.
They’re not famous people.
They’re just general names.
I call them aptronames.
There are a whole slew of riddles with an apt name as the answer.
Sometimes the word is phonetically similar to the apt word.
Okay?
Okay.
For example, what would you call a guy who’s floating in a swimming pool?
Bob.
Bob, right.
That’s one of the classic ones.
Grant liked the pun.
It’s terrible.
Everybody take notes.
It’s a protection reflex.
If I laugh, it scares off the enemies.
A little bit of igre, a little bit of igre in there.
Okay.
Here are some more.
I’ll give you hints if you need them.
Along the lines of the swimming pool, what would you call a guy who’s lazing the day away in a hot tub?
Stew.
Stew is correct.
Oh, good.
See?
Good.
Further with the water theme, what would you call a guy who goes to the beach, but he only goes in up to his knees?
Wade.
Wade.
My good friend, Wade.
Let’s leave the beach for a while.
Go into the city.
What would you call a guy who’s hanging on a wall?
Art.
Art.
Yes, there’s art.
Hanging from the ceiling, hanging from the wall.
It’s art.
What would you call a guy standing next to a hole in the ground with a shovel?
Doug.
Doug is correct.
I think we found Martha’s wheelhouse.
Punny names. What would you call a guy standing in the hole, the first guy, Doug?
Phil.
It’s Phil. That’s right.
I’m not really laughing. This is the rictest of death.
You’re groaning inside where it counts. What would you call a guy lying in front of your door?
Matt. Matt is correct. Very good.
What would you call a guy rolling around in a pile of leaves?
Well, he’s a rake, isn’t he?
Russell.
Russell is right.
What would you call a guy in a recording booth?
Mike.
Mike is right.
What would you call a careless lion tamer?
Claws.
Claude.
Claude is right.
Love to hear you working that one out.
Well, that could be a person with a house cat for that matter.
Yeah.
That’s true.
That’s true.
Now, let’s not leave the women out.
What would you call a woman who is between two buildings?
Allie.
Allie is right.
Oh, good.
And finally, what would you call a woman who holds your coat for you?
Peg.
Peg is correct.
Way to go.
Nice going, Grant and Martha.
Thank you, sir.
That was wonderful as always.
That was tough.
Thank you.
And now the emails and phone calls commence from all the pegs and bobs and allies of the world.
Call us with your language questions, 877-929-9673, or send your stories about language to words@waywordradio.org.
