Rita in Taos, New Mexico, grew up calling the kitchen catchall for pencils, thread, tools, and birthday candles a Fibber McGee drawer. The expression comes from the radio comedy Fibber McGee and Molly, where one running gag sent Fibber to an...
“Imitation is the sincerest form of television,” said the radio comedian Fred Allen. Listeners are invited to share their favorite modern proverbs like this one, as well as their favorite classics. This is part of a complete episode. Transcript of...
A listener was confused when she heard a radio announcer say a man had “Amanda Lynn” in his hands, only to find out that it was “a mandolin.” These funny misheard phrases are called mondegreens, a term coined in Sylvia Wright’s 1954 Harper’s...
Quiz Guy John Chaneski reprises his popular “Puzzle Hunt” game. This is part of a complete episode. Transcript of “Radio Puzzle Hunt Game” You’re listening to A Way with Words. I’m Martha Barnette. And I’m Grant Barrett, and we’re joined once again...
Grant talks about how that great American export, the word OK, was part of the first conversation on the surface of the moon. This is part of a complete episode. Transcript of “OK Moon Talk” One of the books that I recommended as a gift to people...
License-plate bingo, anyone? Quiz Guy John Chaneski offers a radio version. This is part of a complete episode. Transcript of “License-Plate Bingo” You’re listening to A Way with Words. I’m Grant Barrett. And I’m Martha Barnette. And we’re joined...