A caller is adamant honorifics should be used to address the President of the United States, as in “President Obama,” never “Mr. Obama.” He thinks it’s disrespectful and divisive when news organizations use “Mr.” This is part of a complete episode...
“William Trembletoes, he’s a good fisherman. Catches hens, puts ’em in the pen…” If you recited this rhyme growing up, you’re probably tapping your foot along with its singsong cadences right now. The rhyme accompanied a children’s game, and is the...
Martha shares the winners of a contest for Best Book Titles of the Year. Or would that be Oddest Book Titles of the Year? This is part of a complete episode. Transcript of “Oddest Book Titles” You know, Grant, there’s a magazine called The...
What IS the longest word in the English language? “Antidisestablishmentarianism”? “Floccinaucinihilipilification”? Or “pneumonoultramicroscopicsilicovolcanoconiosis,” maybe? Martha and Grant discuss such sesquipedalian contenders for the title of...
double veteran n.— «During the Vietnam War, American soldiers earned the title of double veterans when they raped civilian women before murdering them.» —“Is the US fighting for women’s liberation?” by Elizabeth Schulte Socialist Worker Dec. 7...
It’s the wacky title of a new book by language enthusiast Elizabeth Little which has Martha and Grant talking about whether Coca-Cola and Chevy ran into cultural translation problems when selling products abroad. Did the Chevy Nova really sell...
