Miss Word Pageant Quiz

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 from New York City is our quiz guy, John Chaneski.

Hiya, John.

Hi, Martha.

Hi, Grant.

Hey, buddy.

What’s up?

I’m doing great.

You know, I split my time between you guys and Ask Me Another on NPR.

We have a great time.

I’m a puzzle guru on there occasionally.

We’re having a really great time.

I hope you guys can come see our show sometime.

Oh, sure.

Bring it out to the West Coast.

The West Coast wants to see it.

Come on.

Terrific.

Yeah, we hope to get out there.

Now, today’s quiz, well, frankly, I’m not a big fan of beauty pageants, unless it’s the Miss Word Pageant.

It’s the only pageant I’d attend, since the competitors are just words.

Now, our lovely contestants are a beautiful gathering of Miss Words from around the language.

For example, our first contestant likes to go where life takes it, which is why it loves accidentally calling the wrong number.

It meets so many new friends.

Please welcome Miss Dial.

Miss Dial. Here she is.

Now, they’re actually a pretty motley crew, so let’s meet the other contestants.

Ready to go?

Yes.

Good.

It’s a wonder that our next contestant has made it this far in the competition, considering how much it just hates people.

It hates you. It hates me.

Nevertheless, let’s give a warm welcome to…

Miss Anthrope.

Miss Anthrope. You’re a misanthrope. Very good.

Our next contestant is a shoe-in for the talent portion of the pageant.

It’s a fantastic magician.

While you’re watching its left hand, its right hand is loading the rabbit in the hat.

Spoiler alert.

Let’s say hi to…

Misdirection.

Misdirection.

Here she is.

Here it is.

These are all its, by the way.

Yeah, I know what I was going to say.

All right.

I feel a little sorry for our next contestant.

How can it possibly win when it came out wearing two different shoes in the evening gown portion?

Maybe there’s still a chance for…

Mismatched.

Mismatched.

Frankly, our next contestant can do better than a pageant.

Unfortunately, it took some bad advice from its manager and its agent.

Poor thing. Let’s say hello to…

Misguided.

Misguided, yes. Very good.

Now, our next contestant is doing pretty well, considering that it claimed in the interview portion that FDR stated, we have nothing to fear except beer itself.

What a boner!

But we’re still rooting for…

Misquote or misquoted.

Quote.

Misquotable.

Misquotable.

Very good.

After wasting many years skipping school, hanging out, and hustling pool, our next contestant has cleaned up its act too late.

Its youth is gone, and now here is…

Misspent.

Misspent, yes.

Our next contestant is just throwing anything and everything at the pageant judges in an attempt to win.

Some of this, some of that, and the rest of the stuff that everybody left behind.

Will this strategy work for the plucky…

Miscellaneous.

Miscellaneous, yes.

That’s my favorite so far.

There you go.

Our next contestant is pretty young, which might explain why its talent is pulling childish pranks.

Water bucket in the doorway, thumbtacks in the judge’s chairs, it’s all in a day’s work for…

Lure.

Mischief.

Mischief.

Ooh, nice.

Very good.

And here we go.

In a thrilling finale, the winner of our Miss Word pageant has surprised everyone.

It won because the vote tally was completely messed up.

Nevertheless, let’s welcome our new Miss Word.

Miscalculate?

What does the word tally mean?

Counted?

Misscount.

Misscount.

Oh, okay.

Misscount is our new Miss Word.

Congratulations, everybody.

It was wonderful.

Wonderful contestants for Miss Word.

John, thanks so much for another great quiz.

Thank you, guys.

Call us to talk about language, 877-929-9673, or send emails to words@waywordradio.org.