This week, Martha and Grant discuss terms from Australia, including aerial ping-pong, pumpkin squatter, and…kangarooster? They explain the connection between stereotypes and stereos, and why we call the person clearing tables in a restaurant a...
A biology student at Stanford University has a question that’s surely on the minds of many listeners: Is there’s an official term for “baby platypus”? He’s heard the term puggle used to denote these cute little critters, but is unsure if “puggle” is...
Great news for language fans: The Australian National Dictionary is now available online for free. It’s full of fascinating words from Down Under. Contrary to what you might think, for example, kangaroosters are pouchless and feather-free, and a...
bush bashing n.— Note: According to the Macquarie Dictionary, “bash” is an Australian term for a cross-country trip. «Inspector Andrew Humberstone, in charge of the search, said Mr Meyer was a highly experienced bushwalker and was equipped with...
A San Diego listener has a weird word on her mind: biffy (meaning “toilet”). This is part of a complete episode. Transcript of “Origin of Biffy” Hi, you have A Way with Words. Hi, this is Megan from San Diego, California. I had a question about the...