But Word Quiz

You’re listening to A Way with Words. I’m Grant Barrett.

And I’m Martha Barnette, and we’re joined now by our quiz guy, John Chaneski. Hello, John.

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

Hey, buddy. What’s going on?

Oh, you know, it’s a nice fall day here, crisp fall day, and I just, I love New York street food.

I’m sorry. I think I may have mentioned it before, but the roasted peanuts on the street.

Oh, you like that smell?

I love that stuff.

But you know what I like is the falafel stands on 6th Avenue.

Soft pretzels for me.

But, but, speaking of but, I had an idea for a puzzle, but at the last minute, something else came to mind.

What came to mind was but.

This is a quiz about multi-word phrases that contain the word but.

B-U-T, one T.

Yes, it’s one single T.

Okay.

For example, if you throw a dart in a carnival game and you just miss the target, the guy giving out prizes might say this.

Oh, close but no cigar. Thank you.

Close but no cigar.

When was the last time they gave out cigars at carnivals?

1912. You’re dating yourself.

People still say it. Yes, I’m dating myself.

But let’s see how many of these you can get.

Some are phrases, some are sentences, but bear in mind that there are several different ways to use the word but.

Ooh, okay.

So if you’re stuck, I’ll give you clues, of course. Here’s the first one.

This phrase is often shouted as a description of a particularly good basketball throw.

That is, one that does not touch the backboard or rim at all.

Nothing but net.

Nothing but net.

String music.

Oh, nice.

String music.

Very sweet.

I grew up in Kentucky.

That’s the state religion, you know?

Oh, nice.

Here’s the next one.

This derogatory phrase describes a person who is lacking in wits.

It likens the person to a house.

The lights are on, but nobody’s home.

Yes, the lights are on, but nobody’s home.

Now, these are the purported last words said by American patriot Nathan Hale after he was captured by the British and, of course, before he was hanged as a spy.

I have but one life to give for my country.

I only regret that I have but one life to give for my country.

This phrase is an unofficial term identifying a stage in the process of obtaining a Ph.D.

All but dissertation.

All but dissertation.

All but dissertation.

Occasionally, someone could use it after their name as a joke.

For instance, John Chaneski, ABD.

This amusing idiom is used to describe a situation in which the outcome is a certainty.

It may conjure up images of a noisy political contest.

Everything’s over but the shouting?

Yes, it’s all over but the shouting.

Very good.

This one’s a little tough, but I give you plenty of clues here.

Let’s see if you can get it.

This two-person English band, abbreviated EBTG, was formed in the 80s.

Everything but the girl.

Yes, everything but the girl.

I have lots of other clues to give, but you don’t need it.

Do you know where they got their name from?

I don’t know.

No.

They took their name from the slogan of a furniture shop called Turner’s, and the slogan read,

For your bedroom needs, we sell everything but the girl.

Oh, really?

Did not know that.

They have some beautiful songs.

Yes.

Yeah.

This phrase is the title of a 1946 song, but it’s probably much older.

One possible origin is a joke involving a dim-witted poultry thief.

Nobody here but us chickens.

Ain’t nobody here but us chickens.

Very good, Martha.

Thank you.

Nice.

Okay, here’s the last one.

This final phrase is completely self-referential.

It’s typically used when introducing a long list of people to an audience.

Last but not least.

Last but not least.

Very good, Martha.

That was my last.

Oh, and that was the last clue.

That was it, yes.

That was my last but not least butt quiz.

The butt quiz.

Thanks for the butt quiz, John.

Really appreciate it.

Good times.

This was a pleasure.

No buts about it.

If you’d like to talk about ifs, ands, buts, or any other part of speech,

Call us 877-929-9673 or send an email to words@waywordradio.org.