Discussion Forum—A Way with Words, a fun radio show and podcast about language

I switch it up depending on context and emphasis. Wordies, waywords, AWWW-inspired (pronounced awe-)

I think that wayword keeps well with 'way with words' whereas wordway makes me think of 'way of words,' kind of more about words' grammar and syntax, not so much of the human factor.

Glenn what is 'switch up' ?

Glenn said: Dr. Richard Lederer, a former cohost with Martha liked the term "verbivore" for language lovers.

Hadn't heard that term. Much prefer it to logophile ... I understand the etymology, but it still sounds like a person who does bad things to words   🙂

The fact is that idioms are way too fragile to survive such a leap as you suggest. When one modifies an idiom, that brave soul performs delicate surgery. I suspect almost nobody would take a verbivore as a person who “eats his words.” In the expression “to eat one's words,” the possessive (or reflexive) pronoun is de rigueur for this idiom. Even if I were to say, “Boy, he eats words” it may be preplexing, but it would be a stretch to assume humiliation. Further still to say, “She devours words.”

A verbivore would, likewise, instead be a play on words that indicates someone who derives sustenance and pleasure from language and words, perhaps devouring more than a few books along the way.

Does anyone have any clever turnings of, modifications of, plays upon an idiom that they would care to share?

"Wayword Souls" makes for a pun roughly awful enough to fit in with the other fandom names.

dtmiot said: GraMafans – fans of Grant and Martha 🙂

GraMafans = grammar fans. Clever wordplay. MaGrafans wouldn't do that. Sorry Martha, but that forces you into second billing.   🙂

Gee, I like "Wayword".   It smacks of the naval usage, where sailors serving aboard the Michaelangelo are called Michaelangelos (or sometimes Michaels, Mikeys or Angies depending on the mood).