Bridget in Ishpeming, Michigan, wonders why so many English speakers answer a restroom knock with Ocupado!, even when they don’t speak Spanish. The usage may have been reinforced by bilingual signs in everyday U.S. life, including old airline seat...
Our Quiz Guy Greg Pliska invites us to play Categorical Allies, a game of two-word pairs where the last two letters of the first word lend themselves to the start of the second, and both words fit into one category. For example, what word might...
Martha quotes Steve Martin’s aphorism about language: “Some people have a way with words. Some people not have way.” This is part of a complete episode. Transcript of “Not Have Way” Grant, you know I love quotations about words and language and...
When it comes to joining Facebook affinity groups, grammar lovers have lots of choices. Take, for example, the group whose motto is “Punctuation saves lives.” It’s called “Let’s Eat Grandma!” or “Let’s eat, Grandma!” Martha and Grant talk about...
Quiz Guy Greg Pliska has a quiz about famous trios. Try this one: “Steve Martin, Martin Short, and ___________?” This is part of a complete episode. Transcript of “Famous Trios Quiz” You’re listening to A Way with Words. I’m Grant Barrett. And I’m...
Quiz Guy John Chaneski presents the hosts with a wacky puzzle based on two-word phrases containing the sounds “oo oo,” “ee ee,” and “aa aa.” As you might expect, animal hilarity ensues. This is part of a complete episode. Transcript of “OohAahEeh...
