Why do the Brits pronounce the H in herbal? This is part of a complete episode. Transcript of “Silent “H” in Herbal” Hello, you have A Way with Words. Hi, guys. This is Kyle calling from Denton, Texas at the University of...
Not bad-which, like many phrases, sounds cool when you say it with an English accent-is an example of litotes, or an understatement used for effect. This is part of a complete episode. Transcript of “Expression “Not Bad””...
What the fox says may be a mystery, but we do know that dogs bark differently around the world. In China, for example, they say not bow-wow but wang wang. Also, the story behind the British tradition of scrumping. It’s not a middle school...
To throw a wobbly means lose self-control in a panic or temper tantrum, or to cause consternation by acting in a surprising way. This is part of a complete episode. Transcript of “What Does “Throw a Wobbly” Mean in British English?”...
Michael from Weatherford, Texas, called because he hears caddywampus more often in Texas than in California. Catawampus, meaning “askew,” can be spelled at least 15 different ways, with Ks, Cs, Ds, and different vowels. It likely derives from the...
A listener from Charlottesville, Virginia, is dating a professional golfer who often plays a Calcutta with other tour members. Calcutta, a betting game going back over 200 years, involves every player betting before the tournament on who they think...

