When the crest of a rooster’s comb falls down toward their beak, they appear sad, or crestfallen. This is part of a complete episode. Transcript of “Crestfallen” Hello, you have A Way with Words. Hello, this is Kate. Hi, Kate. Where are you calling...
Our Quiz Master John Chaneski has some answers to classic songs in this week’s puzzle about song titles in question form. For example, the answer “Because they’re too dumb to stay out of it” answers the musical question from Frankie Lymon and the...
Simon Ager’s site Omniglot.com is stacked with full-deckisms from around the world. In English-speaking countries, someone who’s not quite with it is said to be “two sandwiches short of a picnic.” In Germany, however, this is described with the...
There’s a story going around that the word posh derives from “Port Out, Starboard Home.” Don’t fall for it. This is part of a complete episode. Transcript of “Origin of Posh” Hello, you have A Way with Words. Hi, this is Kurt from Howell, Texas. Hi...
bench cut n.—Gloss: A terraced or step-like cut in soil, stone, wood, or other material. «Volunteers will learn how to decrease erosion on slopes by a method called “bench cutting.” They will then make some bench cuts on local trails.» —“Volunteers...
Does your handwriting look like chicken scratches, calligraphy, or maybe something in between? Martha and Grant discuss the state of penmanship, the phenomenon linguists call creaky voice, euphemisms for going to the bathroom, and the New England...

