Quiz Guy John Chaneski’s game involves misreading memos that start with re:. For example, if Don Draper of Sterling Cooper Draper Price leaves a message asking you to “comprehend written matter,” what’s the subject of that message? This is part of a complete episode.
Transcript of “Re Word Quiz”
You’re listening to A Way with Words, the show about language and how we use it.
I’m Martha Barnette.
And I’m Grant Barrett. And here he is, our quiz guy, John Chaneski. Hi, John.
Hey, Grant. Hey, Martha.
What is up, dude?
You know, I realized recently that I haven’t seen, actually seen you guys in person for months.
It’s been like eight months. And, you know, in the meantime, I’ve been taking your messages.
Oh, boy.
Yeah. I have a whole bunch of those little pink memo sheets that you see at a desk.
I bet you want these, I’m sure.
Now, I can read the names, but I can’t read the part that says re, R-E, a colon.
You know the re.
That’s where I write what the message is about.
I have a vague memory of what these are about.
Maybe together we can figure out the re from the person.
Okay.
Okay.
For example, a Mr. Don Draper call from Sterling Cooper Draper Price.
I think he’s encouraging you to comprehend the meaning of written matter.
Read.
Reread?
I thought it was re-add.
You’re right. It’s re-add.
Something about an ad. No, it’s
Re-add. You’re right.
Let’s try to figure out a few more of these.
They all begin with R-E, of course.
This one is from the casting department of Sterling Cooper, Draper, and Price. They want to talk about
An atomic pile used to create nuclear energy?
They do?
Yeah.
A reactor?
Oh, very good.
Yes, exactly.
Oh, they want to talk about an actor.
I thought they wanted to talk about a reactor.
Okay.
Very good.
Well, this one is from the great impressionist Rich Little.
Wow.
He needs to talk to you about harvesting crops.
Imitating.
Reaping?
Reaping.
Oh, reaping.
Reaping.
Oh, I see.
Now, you’re helping me out with these because I just can’t get them out of here.
That’s very good.
This one is from the fictional character Sam Malone.
Look at that.
He wants to talk to you about thick steel wires used to strengthen concrete.
Rebar.
Oh, rebar.
Oh, he wants to talk about the…
Oh, I get it.
Rebar.
Got it.
Got it.
This one is from the late Betty James.
Now, she ran the company that made Slinkies.
She wanted to talk to you about the kickback from a rifle.
Slinky.
Oh, recoil.
Oh, that’s what it is.
She wants to talk about recoils.
Right.
Okay, good, good.
Now, this one is from the American Philately Society.
They want to talk to you about bringing back lost memories?
So something with stamps.
I know.
Stick, perforations.
Remember?
Letters.
Well, what do you do with those stamps?
What does the American Philately Society do with stamps?
They save, collect, recollect.
Oh, that’s right.
They want to talk about recollecting, right?
Yes.
Here’s a while you were out memo from, oh, former Tour de France winner, Greg LeMond.
He wants to talk to you about making the earth greener and using things more than once, that kind of stuff.
Recycling.
Right, right.
Recycling, of course.
This is a message from Quasimodo, you know, the bell ringer at Notre Dame.
He wants to talk to you about unmaking a law.
Unmaking a law.
Repeal.
Oh, repeal.
You want to talk about peeling?
Okay, peeling the bells.
Got it.
Okay, guys, those are all your messages.
We are so glad we could help you with that, John.
Thank you.
Thank you.
Well, no, I feel bad that I didn’t do better in taking the messages.
What can I say?
Get on that lease right away.
Get on that lease.
It’s been like eight months.
Thanks, dude.
We’ll talk to you next week.
Next week, guys, take care.
Bye-bye.
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