Grant reports some etymological news: A recent article in the journal American Speech suggests a new source for the term that means “drunk,” blotto. This is part of a complete episode.
Like mushrooms in fallen leaves, new words keep popping up overnight. Also, is there an English word that means “the in-laws of your son or daughter“? And what does it mean when someone says, “Well, that was odder than Dick’s...
Obamanomics n. The economic policies of the US government during the Obama administration. Etymological Note: Obama + economics (source: Double-Tongued Dictionary)
Obamamania, Obamabot, Obamathon, Obamamentum— the list of variations on the name “Obama” goes on and on. Is there an English word that means “the in-laws of your son or daughter”? And what does it mean when someone...
In our recent episode, Dust Bunnies and Ghost Turds, Grant mentioned simping, a slang term for “the act of pursuing a woman online in a fawning fashion.” What’s the etymological source of simping? “Cyberpimping”...
Say! Fellas and gals, here's another newsletter from A Way with Words. This past weekend we reran a crowd-pleasing episode from earlier this year, in which we discussed "suicide sodas," how to politely tell someone her slip is...