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

A Way with Words, a radio show and podcast about language and linguistics.

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Podcast: Nosy Parkers and Butternuts
Grant Barrett
San Diego, California
1532 Posts
(Offline)
1
2007/11/21 - 3:44am


Photo by bcostin.

Grant goes through the mailbag, offering answers about the terms "nosy parker," "out of pocket," and about whether the word "falsehood" has its origins in medieval garb. He also throws a question out to listeners about what is supposedly a mild British oath, "butternut!"

Read the original blog post and listen to this episode.

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2
2007/11/22 - 9:22am

"Butternut" - could it be a mondegreen of bugger ___ ? (Or even a euphemism?)

Martha Barnette
San Diego, CA
820 Posts
(Offline)
3
2007/11/25 - 2:58pm

Dilettante, we heard from a linguist who suggested something similar, so maybe you're on to something. I guess it'd be along the lines of saying, "Oh, FUDGE!"

OTOH, I think "butternut" is just a funny word, period! Sort of reminds me of Spanish speakers saying, "Caracoles!" or "Snails!" instead of "drat."

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