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A Way with Words - language, linguistics, and callers from all over

Martha Barnette and Grant Barrett. Produced by Stefanie Levine.
Language
Etymology
Idioms
Language Evolution
Linguistics
Language Change
Regional Dialects
Cultural Expressions
Slang
English Language
Expressions
Colloquialisms
Cocktail
American English
Regional Expressions
Dialect
Literature
Tongue Twisters
Family Expressions
English Language Usage

Fun conversation with callers from all over about new words, old sayings, slang, family expressions, word histories, linguistics, dialects, word games, books, literature, writing, and more. Be on the show with author/journalist Martha Barnette and linguist/lexicographer Grant Barrett. Share your thoughts, questions, and stories: waywordradio.org/contact or words@waywordradio.org. In the US... more

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes981Founded21 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
Society & CultureEducationLanguage Learning

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Artwork for A Way with Words

Latest Episodes

If someone tells you it’s flisky or flobby outside, do you need to take an umbrella? A new book about England’s soggy climate includes 188 terms for rainy weather. Americans have their own joking names for local weather, from June Gloom in Southern C... more

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How do you transform ancient Chinese script for use in the modern age? English uses a keyboard with just 26 letters, but the first Chinese typewriter looked like a small table under a huge disk with more than 4,000 characters. A new book chronicles t... more

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What’s up with ketchup? The shifting history and spelling of the name of this condiment. For centuries, ketchup was a fishy sauce originating in Asia—the tomatoes came only later! Plus, a new book shows what’s lost when a language dies: when there ar... more

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If you’re ever near a sundial, step closer and look for a message. Many sundials bear haunting, poetic inscriptions about the brevity of life. Plus, language development in toddlers: why and how little ones pick up the exclamation Uh-oh! And a new Ja... more

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Recent Guests

Cindy Evans
Caller from Henderson, Kentucky
Henderson, Kentucky United States
Episode: By a Landslide (Rebroadcast) - 27 July 2026
Irv Teitelbaum
Caller from Montreal, Quebec
Montreal, Quebec, Canada
Episode: By a Landslide (Rebroadcast) - 27 July 2026
John Chinesky
Quiz Man
A Way with Words (quiz segment)
Episode: Hot Gossip (Rebroadcast) - 29 June 2026
John Chonesky
Quiz guy, quizmaster on the show
A Way with Words
Episode: Flash in the Pan - 22 June 2026
Daniel Mendelsohn
Author, critic, and essayist discussed in the book segment
Bard College (via discussion)
Episode: Flash in the Pan - 22 June 2026
Betty Wooten
Caller from Georgetown, Kentucky
Episode: In the Ballpark (Rebroadcast) - 15 June 2026
Jacob B.
Caller from Frankfort, Kentucky
Episode: In the Ballpark (Rebroadcast) - 15 June 2026
Katya Hilton
Caller from Jacksonville, Florida sharing German saying about Oma
Episode: If Grandma Had Wheels (Rebroadcast) - 18 May 2026
Ben Smitkoff
Caller from Boston discussing buckles and related terminology
Episode: If Grandma Had Wheels (Rebroadcast) - 18 May 2026

Hosts

Martha Barnette
Co-host and longtime anchor of language-focused conversations with a warm, inviting style.
Grant Barrett
Linguist and lexicographer guiding etymology, pronunciation, and language history.

Reviews

4.6 out of 5 stars from 2.9k ratings
  • Awesome

    Love the show. Thank you

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    IlliniGuy1234
    United Statesa month ago
  • Fun and Educational

    I always look forward to each new show. It’s fun to listen to with an early morning cup of coffee. Thank you Grant and Martha!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    JyllLittle
    United States3 months ago
  • Lifts my mood

    With so much going on, this show helps calm my spirit and lifts my mood.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    JackfruitYardie
    United States3 months ago
  • Loved it !

    I had the pleasure of serving Martha at my restaurant tonight! Martha and Martha’s partner were so amazing! They let me know about this show, so I listened, fittingly, to the ‘Cocktail’ episode after work. I loved it! Can’t wait to listen to more.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Monkeyfriedchicken
    United States8 months ago
  • Dynamic Duo

    Silver tongue and quick on their feet.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    dwchandl
    United Statesa year ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Many call this a long-running, reliable source for word origins and regional phrases.
Listeners praise warmth, accessibility, and playfulness of hosts.
Audience notes educational yet entertaining exploration of language.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Cheese Toasties - 6 July 2026
Q: What is the origin of the word sycophant and how did its meaning evolve?
Sycophant derives from the Greek sukophantes meaning 'one who shows the fig' and evolved in English to describe a mean, cringing flatterer, with historical usage tracing back to accusations and social maneuvering in ancient Greece.
Touch Grass (Rebroadcast) - 4 May 2026
Q: Is Erin pronounced differently across regions, and what explains it?
Regional dialects cause Erin and Erin to be pronounced differently depending on where someone grew up; the Mary–Mary merger is cited as an example of such regional variation, and the guest explains that the person remains the expert on their own name.
Funny Papers (Rebroadcast) - 20 April 2026
Q: Scott, what strategies do you recommend for learning Klingon vocabulary and keeping it in long-term memory?
Use the Gold List method with multiple short lists, build context by reading in Klingon, ensure you enjoy what you're reading, and balance passive recognition with active production; also leverage a Klingon expert for corrections and practice.
Buttons on Ice Cream - 13 April 2026
Q: What is the origin of liminal and liminal spaces?
Liminal derives from Latin limen, meaning threshold, and has surged in usage since the late 20th century, especially with 2019-2021 internet aesthetics popularizing liminal spaces.
I Don't Have the Spoons (Rebroadcast) - 2 March 2026
Q: Why does the word 'based' have different meanings across communities and platforms?
Because slang evolves within communities and is heavily context-dependent; internet cultures like 4chan and alt-right groups have reinterpreted it, while other groups may use it to mean authenticity or alignment with beliefs, leading to divergent meanings.

Audience Metrics

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Frequently Asked Questions About A Way with Words

What is A Way with Words about and what kind of topics does it cover?

A lively, listener-driven show about language, word origins, slang, and dialects, featuring caller anecdotes and expert insights. Hosts guide conversations through etymologies, regional expressions, and historical quirks, often weaving in quizzes and book references. Notable for its warm banter, crowdsourced linguistic data from everyday speakers, and a playful yet rigorous approach to language history and usage across North America and beyond.

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Which podcasts are similar to A Way with Words?

These podcasts share a similar audience with A Way with Words:

1. Wait Wait... Don't Tell Me!
2. Science Friday
3. Radiolab
4. This American Life
5. Fresh Air

How many episodes of A Way with Words are there?

A Way with Words launched 21 years ago and published 981 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on A Way with Words?

Recent guests on A Way with Words include:

1. Cindy Evans
2. Irv Teitelbaum
3. John Chinesky
4. John Chonesky
5. Daniel Mendelsohn
6. Betty Wooten
7. Jacob B.
8. Katya Hilton

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