
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
| Publishes | Weekly | Episodes | 985 | Founded | 21 years ago |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Number of Listeners | Categories | Society & CultureEducationLanguage Learning | |||

“Are we ready to order yet?” Why do restaurant servers use the word “we” when they’re not eating with you or helping you pay the bill? And a story of Cold War intrigue: A young saxophone player’s clever ruse to smuggle information past KGB agents by ... more
Is there such a thing as a “neutral” accent, and if so what does it sound like? And that quirk in the way southern Californians talk about freeways. They’ll say things like take the 405 and get on the 8. Why the definite article? Plus, those Little F... more
Critters, co-workers, and clothes: What do you call your favorite mixed-breed dog? There are Heinz 57 mutts and Texas brown dogs in the U.S., while in parts of the Caribbean they’re called potcakes and coconut retrievers. Plus, among firefighters, if... more
A magnificent new book celebrates the richness and diversity of 450 years of written and spoken English in what is now the United States. It’s called The People’s Tongue, and it’s a sumptuous collection of essays, letters, poems, lyrics, and much mor... more
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Love the show. Thank you
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!
With so much going on, this show helps calm my spirit and lifts my mood.
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.
Silver tongue and quick on their feet.
Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.
How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.
Apple Podcasts | #154 | |
Apple Podcasts | #176 | |
Apple Podcasts | #250 |
Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.
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- A lively, caller-driven show that explores language, etymology, slang, regional expressions, and word histories. Hosts guide discussions with audience questions, quizzes, book segments, and cross-cultural examples from English-speaking communities around the world.
- Strong appeal to word enthusiasts, educators, and professionals in language, lexicography, and communication, with a warm, approachable style and plenty of practical examples for everyday usage.
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A Way with Words launched 21 years ago and published 985 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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Recent guests on A Way with Words include:
1. Cindy Evans
2. Irv Teitelbaum
3. John Chinesky
4. Daniel Mendelsohn
5. John Chonesky
6. Jacob B.
7. Betty Wooten
8. Yvette Matthews
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