Professions as Verbs Quiz

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

And I’m Martha Barnette. And joining us now is John Chaneski, our quiz guy. Hiya, John.

Hi, Martha. Hi, Grant.

Hi, buddy. What’s up?

This quiz is about professions. Specifically, it’s about words for professions that are exactly the same as the verb practiced by those professions.

For example, a dancer can’t dancer. A dancer can dance. A cartographer can’t cartograph. A cartographer can make maps.

However, if I ask you what does a particular person in the aviation industry do, what would you say?

Like a pilot?

A pilot can?

Pilot.

A pilot can pilot.

Very good.

They’re exactly the same.

Okay.

Let’s try some more clues.

Let’s talk about the TV industry.

Not everything is allowed on TV.

I mean, an editor does an editor, but…

A sensor sensors.

Yes, very good.

Let’s move on to education.

Sometimes you need some special help.

I mean, a teacher doesn’t teacher, but…

And aid aids.

Maybe.

They do.

Sort of.

Yeah, aid aids.

Thinking of gym and principals and superintendents.

Coach coaches.

There we go.

That’s a good one.

Well, that’s pretty good.

I probably would have put that in the sports category, but…

It’s not exactly the same because it’s coaches at the end.

Yeah, okay.

But if you need special help with a certain subject…

Tutor, tutor.

Yes, a tutor tutors.

Let’s talk food.

I mean, a baker doesn’t baker, but…

Cook cooks.

Cook cooks, but let’s talk about meat.

Barbecue?

No.

Meat.

Butcher butchers.

Butcher butchers, yes.

Very good.

In literature, we find one if we change status to a more formal title.

I mean, a writer doesn’t writer, but…

An author authors.

Yes, an author authors.

There are two in the hospital.

I mean, a surgeon doesn’t surgeon, but…

A doctor, doctors, and a nurse, nurses.

Yes, you each got one of those.

A doctor, doctors, and a nurse, nurses.

Good.

In finance, we can talk investments.

I mean, a banker doesn’t banker, but…

A broker, brokers.

Yes, a broker, brokers.

Good job.

Let’s talk about railway transport.

I mean, come on, a conductor doesn’t conductor, but…

An engineer, engineer?

Yes, and engineer, engineers.

Now, you guys should know this one.

In the radio industry, what do you guys do?

A host, hosts.

A host, hosts.

Nice work.

Now, I’ve got one extra credit for you.

Okay.

Can you name a 1974 novel that contains no less than four professions that fit this category in its title?

It was written by John Le Carre.

Oh, Sailor Tinker Soldier Spy.

That’s what I was thinking, but Sailor Sailors?

Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy.

Tinker Tinkers?

Oh, I was thinking.

A spy, spies.

A soldier, soldiers.

And a spy, spies.

You guys did fantastically.

Thanks, John.

Hey, thanks, John.

That was a new one, and I like that.

It was a new kind of structure.

I really appreciate that.

Come back again soon, all right?

My pleasure.

I’ll see you guys next time.

Take care now.

Bye, John.

Thanks.

Bye.

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