I just listened to the podcast of this show and I think I can help with the strange pronunciation of "schedule". When I heard her saying it I couldn't help but think that it may be an amalgamation of "skidoo" (as in twenty three) or "skidaddle" and "schedule". This would actually make sense as a bus schedule has a timeline that must be strictly adhered to and the meaning of twenty three skidoo is something akin to hurry up and leave.
It may also be of interest that if you google "skidooly", as of the time I'm writing this, the third entry down is a Fly Fishing forum where someone used the word in a context that could easily be replaced with schedule.
Of course, this may be a coincidence, but it sounds like a possibility to investigate if anyone is interested.
-Madeline
Following on from Saturnine I want to say that I'm particularly aware of various regional intonations and I am compelled to say that Martha's presence here is a delight – considering the context.
For me one of the most irritating inflexions comes from one part of America (can anyone tell me what part?) that is characterised by the rolling together of double-R sounds – ie saying "hoar" instead of "horror" and "tare" instead of "terror". (Mr. Smith in "The Matrix" was an exemplary exponent of the blurred Rs.)
Martha has a strong regional accent, in which the T-sound is spoken as a "D". "Hardy" instead of "hearty" , "pardy" and not "party" etc.
And so, on a radio program on word, phrase and expression usage and abusage, it is simply spiffing to hear her talking about the gradest riders. Can these be the best riders? The riders who have made the grade? Or are they merely the best ones at riding up steep inclines? (Or would that have been the gradiest riders of all time?)
I've just come across this droll and fascinating webside and I shall be redurning in anticipation! There is a whole show within a show here – maybe an idea for you when you run out of topics!
Happy nooyur,
R