Secret Identities Word Game

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 hey, look who it is. It’s John Chaneski, our quiz guy on the line.

I recognize those electronic impulses.

Hey, it’s me, Grant and Martha. I recognize yours as well.

John and his electronic impulses.

What’s up, bud? How you doing?

Well, I’m doing fantastic. Everybody’s doing great. The family’s doing good.

I take the kids to the movies all the time. Speaking of movies.

Oh. Here we go.

Everyone remembers that scene at the end of the movie when Robert Downey Jr. as Tony Stark suddenly announces to the press, I am Iron Man.

Everybody goes crazy, right?

Right.

Well, today we’ve got some words that are going to reveal their secret identities.

For example, if I say, you know me as a word meaning a very large motion picture format, but remove my I am and I’m a lumberjack’s tool.

Who am I?

Axe.

I’m Axe.

I’m Axe.

Right.

Now, I want you to deliver the pronouncement with the proper gravitas that announcing your secret identity deserves.

Oh.

I’m Axe.

Axe.

Got it.

Yes, very good.

Now, these are akin to cryptic clues, so, you know, this counts towards your cryptic class credits.

Oh, good.

By the way, just so you know.

I’ll get my punch card out.

Good.

Here you go.

Now, you know me as a word meaning pierced with a sharp instrument, but remove my I am, and I’m rather colorless.

Who am I?

He appears with a sharp instrument.

You am…

Pale.

Pale.

There we go.

I’m pale.

I’m pale is correct.

Pass the sunscreen.

I’m pale.

You certainly are.

You know me is a word meaning charge an office holder with misconduct,

But remove my I am, and I’m a delicious fruit from a deciduous tree.

Who am I?

I’m peach.

I’m peach.

Yes.

Very good, Martha.

You know me as a word meaning grand and awe-inspiring in appearance,

But remove my I am and I’m sitting for a photo or painting.

Who am I?

I’m posing.

I’m posing is right.

I’m posing, nice.

Or imposing, very good.

You know me as a word that means having a feeling of admiration and respect,

But remove my I am and I’m free from wrinkles thanks to an iron.

Who am I?

Ladies and gentlemen, I’m pressed.

That’s very good.

Well, you should try time management.

We’d probably help you a little bit.

Just saying.

Up into the sky I go to save the day.

Yay.

You know me is a word that means better than before.

But remove my I am and I’m QED.

Who am I?

I’m proved.

I’m proved.

Murthy, you’re really good at this.

I’m good.

I’m glad I’m proved.

I’m good.

I’m proved is improved, yes.

Improved.

You know me is a word that refers to a specific verb tense,

But remove my I am and I’m free from faults or defects.

Who am I?

I’m perfect.

I’m perfect.

Well, excuse me.

Always thought you guys felt that way.

I’m perfect, imperfect, very good.

You know me is a word that means a sudden urge,

But remove my I am and I’m a rhythmical throbbing.

Who am I?

I’m Pulse.

I’m Pulse is right.

Now that’s a cool superhero name.

Pulse?

Pulse.

That’s a good one.

It’s a good car name.

I almost guarantee you that there is a superhero named Pulse.

Probably.

That’s how good it is, right?

Very good.

You guys did great, you superheroes.

You are puzzle superheroes.

That’s it.

Is that all the presents?

That’s all of them.

There’s no more.

Sorry.

Well, that was fun.

Thanks, John.

We’ll talk to you next week, all right?

Okay, guys.

Bye-bye.

See you at the movies.

Bye-bye.

Take care.

And we’d love to talk with you about language, so call us.

477-929-9673 or send those emails to words@waywordradio.org.