Two-Word A Puzzle

You’re listening to A Way with Words, the show about language and how we use it.

I’m Martha Barnette.

And I’m Grant Barrett.

And in the distance comes running along John Chaneski, our quiz guy.

And in his hands is another quiz for everyone to solve.

John, what are you holding there today?

I’m so glad to finally be here.

Yes, I have here for you a quiz.

Let’s get to it.

I’ll describe for you guys a two-word phrase.

Both words of the phrase have A as their only vowel.

Now, for example, I’ve got my own private shaded spot next to the pool, but they only allow one type of fruit.

Won’t you join me in my…

Cabana…

Banana cabana.

Banana cabana. Yes, exactly.

Banana cabana.

Banana cabana. I knew you’d get that one, yes.

So once again, all of these are two-word phrases.

The only vowel is A.

And I have to tell you, each one has at least three A’s, okay?

Each word.

Wow.

Okay.

Here we go.

I wonder if Mani Gandhi’s daughter, Illa Gandhi, and her brother, Arun Gandhi,

Ever called their most famous relative this.

Grandfather Mahatma.

Mahatma you got.

Let’s see if you can find a word with three A’s in it that means the same as the word.

Grandpapa Mahatma.

Yes, yes.

Grandpapa Mahatma.

Yeah, why not?

They say making superficial changes or cosmetic changes to a product to disguise its failings is putting lipstick on a pig.

But suppose all you have is an earth pig and eye makeup.

Art, Vart, Beauty Mark.

No, wait, that’s only two A’s and three words.

Sorry.

In the first part.

I make up mascara, aardvark mascara.

There you go.

Yes, aardvark mascara.

Very nice.

Teamwork.

There you go.

Double A again, too.

Yeah.

Speaking of mascara, when puzzle people see the word mascara, we do a little wordplay, and we think of it like this.

Do you now?

Yeah.

Mascara anagram?

Close.

Anagram.

We think of what instrument?

Maraca’s anagram.

Yes, Maraca’s anagram.

Nicely done, Martha.

Very good.

I wonder if this southernmost Central American country has a fleet of ships to defend its famous canal.

What would that be?

Panama.

The fleet of ships.

Armada.

Armada.

Yes, again, teamwork works.

Panama Armada.

Now, Panama has a Servicios Nacional Aero Naval.

It doesn’t have anything resembling an armada.

Many people know how sled dogs carried diphtheria serum from Nanana to Nome in 1925.

Did you know they traveled together in a long line of sleds?

It was the most famous…

Alaska caravan.

Yes, Alaskan caravan.

As my friend Fonzie would say, you guys,

You did really well on that A’s puzzle.

Good job.

Thanks, John, for the quizzes.

We appreciate it, and we’ll see you next week.

Give our best to the family.

You too. Talk to you then.

All right. Take care.

And you can goof around on the air with us as well.

Just give us a call, 877-929-9673,

Or send your stories and questions about language to words@waywordradio.org.