What makes a word beautiful? Is it merely how it sounds? Or does a word’s meaning affect its aesthetic effect? Max Beerbohm had some helpful thoughts about gondola, scrofula, and other words in his essay “The Naming of Streets.” Several years ago...
Gifts for book lovers: Martha recommends one for lovers of libraries and another for students of Spanish. Grant suggests some enchanting novels for young readers. When it comes to books, though, you can’t always judge them by their original titles...
Why do words that begin with sn—sneer, snarl, snot, snide, snake, snooty—all have negative connotations? Phonaesthesia, a phenomenon whereby we associate certain sounds with particular meanings, may hold the answer. Linguist and cognitive scientist...
Childish and childlike both point to children, but their connotations differ. Sue in Panama City, Florida, asks after her English husband argues that childlike applies to adults and childish to children. In common use, childish often criticizes...
Would you call an artist who paints a painter, or does painter only apply to a technician, like one who paints houses? This is part of a complete episode. Transcript of “Painting Artist” Hello, you have A Way with Words. Hi, Martha. This is Noam...
Is the term military brat a pejorative? This is part of a complete episode. Transcript of “Military Brat” Hello, you have A Way with Words. Hi, this is Bill from San Antonio. Welcome, Bill, from San Antonio? San Antonio, Texas, yes, ma’am. All...