Janie in Gainesville, Florida, remembers her grandmother Othella Mae Hatfield’s Appalachian version of an old anti-wishing proverb: “Wish in one hand and tacky in the other, and tell me which one gets full first.” Tacky here is probably a family...
When we agree to make a decision later, we might say we’re going to “play it by ear.” What’s the origin of that phrase? This is part of a complete episode. Transcript of “Play it By Ear” You’re listening to...
A lagniappe is a little something extra that a merchant might toss in for a customer, like a complimentary ball-point pen. What’s the origin of that word? This is part of a complete episode. Transcript of “Lagniappe” Hi, you have A...
A Texas caller wonders about the origin and meaning of the term ultracrepidarian. This is part of a complete episode. Transcript of “Ultracrepidarian” Hi, you have A Way with Words. Hi, I’m Patrick Wilson from Dallas, Texas. Well...
A caller from Veroqua, Wisconsin, is fascinated by hoarfrost and wonders about the origin of its name. Grant explains its relation to the English term hoary. This is part of a complete episode. Transcript of “Hoarfrost” Hello, you have A...
Martha tells the story behind the term Tom Swifty. Grant shares some more funny examples from the A Way with Words discussion forum. This is part of a complete episode. Transcript of “The Origin of “Tom Swifty”” You’re...