Quiz Guy John Chaneski presents a puzzle with answers that are big and small. For example, if the clue is simply LADLE, what asterism with seven stars does that suggest? This is part of a complete episode.
Transcript of “Big and Small Word Game”
You’re listening to A Way with Words, the show about language and how we use it. I’m Grant Barrett.
And I’m Martha Barnette, and joining us now is our quiz guy, John Chaneski. Hey, John.
Hey, Martha. Hi, Grant. This quiz this week is about size. Now, you’ve mentioned before I’m 6’5″. I’m over 200 pounds, kind of a big guy. I like big things. Things like my male sibling, or as you may know it, Big Brother.
Okay, yeah, Big Brother, sure.
Also known as an authoritarian leader or invader of privacy, like in 1984. Now, sometimes, though, you have to go small, like the past, present, and future, or as you may know it, small time.
Got it?
Okay, gotcha.
All right, it’s either going to be big or it’s going to be small. So the word big will be in the name or the word small will be in the name.
Exactly.
Here we go.
Ladle.
That’s such a non sequitur.
True.
Big spoon?
Big.
Also known as an asterism of seven stars within the constellation Ursa Major.
Oh, Big Dipper.
Yes, Big Dipper.
Asterism.
Here’s one.
A mark left on a surface by pressure.
Small print?
Yes, small print.
Very good.
Let’s try this one.
An alliance.
An alliance.
Big league.
Yes, big league.
Way to go, Martha.
Here’s a small one.
Presentation.
Small talk.
Yeah, small talk.
Spinning toy.
Big top.
Big top.
For my friends in the circus, yes.
Cook in oil in a shallow pan.
Small fry.
Small fry.
You seem to be enjoying these, Martha.
I really like that.
How about pressed milk curd food?
Oh, big cheese.
Big cheese, yes.
Milk curd food.
Notice of a traffic offense.
Big ticket.
Big ticket item.
Big ticket.
It’s always big ticket items. It’s never big ticket purchases, but it’s always items is one of those words.
Comes along with big ticket.
Big ticket items.
This one’s, I think, the toughest.
Here we go.
Looked after.
Marked by pettiness, meanness, or a narrow outlook.
Small-minded.
Small-minded.
Yes, way to go.
Different kind of minds to care for.
Gotcha.
Well, that was our big and small quiz, and you guys did very, very well.
Congratulations.
That was big fun, John.
Thank you.
You’re no small talent yourself.
Thanks, John.
We’ll talk to you next week.
Talk to you then.
Take care.
Bye-bye.
Bye-bye.
All righty.
Bye-bye.
This show’s about language and everything related to it. If you’ve got a puzzle or a quiz for us or a word that’s mystified you, this is the place to find out more, 877-929-9673, or email words@waywordradio.org, or talk to us on Twitter @wayword.
