If you reeeeeeeeeally want to emphasize something in writing, you can engage in what linguists call expressive lengthening, or making a word longer by repeating letters. It’s an example of paralinguistic restitution, rendering in text cues such as...
Danielle from Wells, Vermont, wonders if there’s a difference between a possum and an opossum. Scientifically speaking, they’re two different animals. The word opossum comes from a similar-sounding Algonquian term that translates as “the white...
Back to political talk: Is there an etymological connection between the words caucus and Caucasian? This is part of a complete episode. Transcript of “Caucus” Hello, you have A Way with Words. Hi, this is Suzanne from Indianapolis. Well, hello...
