Need a good Scrabble word? Grant shares some of his favorites. Also, why do we call those classic screwball films madcap comedies? And what does it mean to walk in a crocodile? Plus mondegreens, naval slang, learned vs learnt, and “No way...
A woman in Racine, Wisconsin, says her father and his fellow bus drivers always pronounced the word schedule as “skeh-DOO-lee.” Is that an accepted pronunciation? This is part of a complete episode. Transcript of “Skehdoolee”...
What do you eat at a jitney supper? Jitney? This is part of a complete episode. Transcript of “Contents of a Jitney Supper” Hello, you have A Way with Words. Hi, this is Keith from Pendleton, Indiana. Hi, Keith. Welcome to the program...
Why do we describe the sudden abandonment of someone as “throwing him under the bus”? This is part of a complete episode. Transcript of “Thrown Under the Bus” Hello, you have A Way with Words. Hi, I’m Sean, and...
loser cruiser n.— «When a class goes on a field trip, they should take the bus. It might even help us wean ourselves from the recently acquired habit of chauffeuring kids everywhere they ever go. Is it any wonder they grow up to refer to...
Why do we call the fellow clearing the dishes and silverware a busboy? A Chicago listener isn’t satisfied with the answer, “Because he’s bussing the table.” Grant reveals the terms likely Latin roots. This is part of a...