Taryn in Washington, D.C., wants to know the proper way to pronounce the word museum. This is part of a complete episode. Transcript of “Pronouncing “Museum”” Hi, you have A Way with Words. Hi, my name is Taryn. I use they...
Billy from Chilmark, Massachusetts, has heard cunning used for a pretty or especially cute baby, a sense that turns up mostly in the Northeast. The adjective originally had to do with knowing or skill, from the same old root as know, back when...
Jonathan in Santa Monica, California, grew up on Long Island saying he was going to mow food down, meaning eat it very fast. He found an Urban Dictionary entry labeling the expression Northeastern, though people from around the country also reported...
Jawn is a term common in Philadelphia and parts of New Jersey that refers to a thing, team, show, group, or pretty much any item. It’s a variant of joint, as in, a Spike Lee joint. This is part of a complete episode. Transcript of...
Do you have a saying for when you drive over a bump and plop back down? In the Northeast, it’s common to say thank you, ma’am, since the nodding motion of a head going over a bump is reminiscent of genteel greetings. It’s also...
What do you call the place you purchase adult beverages? Is it a liquor store or a package store? Package store is common in the Northeast, while folks in Milwaukee know it as the beer depot, and Pennsylvanians might call it the ABC store. Tell us...