Whippoorwills, bob whites, and chickadees. How do we decide the names of birds and what to call their calls? Plus, the last syllables of Arkansas and Kansas are pronounced differently, but they come from the same etymological root. And: What’s the...
Anthony in Jackson Hole, Wyoming, is suspicious of a story about the origin of the phrase win by landslide. According to local lore, the Wyoming towns of Jackson and Kelly competed to become the county seat of Teton County. In 1927, a massive...
Should the sign on the boys’ bathroom at a school read “Boy’s Room” or “Boys’ Room”? The hosts clarify where to put the apostrophe. This is part of a complete episode. Transcript of “Boy’s Room vs. Boys’ Room” Hello, you have A Way with Words. Hi...
Kelly in Milwaukee, a former Texas resident, asks whether Mamaw and Papaw for grandparents are especially Texan. They’re not limited to Texas. Forms such as Mamaw, Papaw, Meemaw, Pawpaw, and Peepaw turn up in families across the country, with Mamaw...
In the film industry, the expression meet cute refers to “an overly precious first encounter between the romantic leads.” This is part of a complete episode. Transcript of “Meet Cute” Hi, you have A Way with Words. Hi, this is Kelly Radke from Green...
fasthole n.— Note: From “fast” + “asshole.” «Fasthole—ˈfast—hÅl (noun): Someone who thinks they’re better than another runner simply because they are faster. In my group of running friends, we use the name as a term of endearment. But we do...