Rephonic
Artwork for A Way with Words

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

Martha Barnette and Grant Barrett. Produced by Stefanie Levine.
Language
Regional Dialects
Cultural Expressions
Idioms
Language Evolution
Pangrams
Language Slang
Regional Expressions
Etymology
Culinary Expressions
Nautical Terminology
Middle School Transition Anxiety
Food Language
Expressions
French Language
Expressions Like 'go Fry Ice'
Idiom Discussions
Bookworm
Book Moth
Event Vs Eventful

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

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes788Founded20 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
Language LearningEducationSociety & Culture

Listen to this Podcast

Artwork for A Way with Words

Latest Episodes

Why would some Spanish speakers use adaptations of certain English words when perfectly good Spanish words for the same thing already exist? Plus, handy terms in a dictionary of the Sussex dialect from 150 years ago: Back then, a dezzick was “a day’s... more

YouTube

It was a dark and stormy night. So begins the long and increasingly convoluted prose of Edwards Bulwer-Lytton's best-known novel. Today the annual Bulwer-Lytton Contest asks contestants for fanciful first sentences that are similarly convoluted and o... more

YouTube

How do social media algorithms shape the way we communicate? A new book argues that the competition for clicks is changing the way we speak and write, from the so-called “YouTube accent” to the surprising evolution of the word preppy. Also: A Massach... more

YouTube

Enthusiastic book recommendations! Martha's savoring the biography of Alexander von Humboldt, the 19th-century explorer, polymath, and naturalist who revolutionized our understanding of nature and predicted the effects of human activity on climate. G... more

YouTube

Key Facts

Accepts Sponsors
Contact Information
Podcast Host
Number of Listeners
Find out how many people listen to this podcast per episode and each month.

Similar Podcasts

People also subscribe to these shows.

Nobody Listens to Paula Poundstone
Nobody Listens to Paula PoundstoneLipstick Nancy, Inc. & Glassbox Media
Science Friday
Science FridayScience Friday and WNYC Studios

Recent Guests

Tory Paulson
Resident of Wyoming
Episode: Sour Pickle (Rebroadcast) - 23 June 2025
Chris Mershrod
Caller from Ithaca, New York
Episode: Sour Pickle (Rebroadcast) - 23 June 2025
Orianna Fisher
Biochemistry professor
Episode: Sour Pickle (Rebroadcast) - 23 June 2025
Logan Weber
Caller from Greenville, North Carolina discussing the phrase 'Scooter Poot'.
Episode: Scooter Pooting (Rebroadcast) - 26 May 2025
Terry Wilson
Caller from Bowling Green, Kentucky asking about a regional term 'Devil Strip'.
Episode: Scooter Pooting (Rebroadcast) - 26 May 2025
Dawn Davis
Caller from Evansville, Indiana discussing the expression 'Fiddlesticks'.
Episode: Scooter Pooting (Rebroadcast) - 26 May 2025
Rosalyn Maxwell
Caller from Montgomery, Alabama
Episode: Honor Bright - 5 May 2025
Jason Meyer
Caller from Hickory, North Carolina
Episode: Honor Bright - 5 May 2025
Tenley Thompson
Outdoor enthusiast from Jackson, Wyoming
Episode: Lead on Macduff (Rebroadcast) - 17 February 2025

Hosts

Grant Barrett
Co-hosts A Way with Words
Martha Barnette
Co-hosts A Way with Words

Reviews

4.6 out of 5 stars from 2.8k ratings
  • Dynamic Duo

    Silver tongue and quick on their feet.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    dwchandl
    United Statesa month ago
  • Love this show!

    I stumbled upon this show one weekend while I was listening to NPR and now I’m hooked. I have always been a fan of languages, but I’ve honestly never thought about linguistics as much, or the history behind it. This is a truly fascinating and fun show. I especially enjoy listeners calling in with their stories of different expressions. I’ve learned so much from this show in the past few months. Thank you!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Baggin Saggin Mary
    United Statesa month ago
  • Excellent but Grant must lose that annoying vocal fry, especially at end of calls!

    Podcast Addict
    5
    Boo2009
    3 months ago
  • Never bored with rebroadcasts

    Learn and relearn new things each time your consistent politeness and interest in guests is downright pleasant. Considering this is all own your own time, bless you.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Alohahaunama
    United States4 months ago
  • Epic

    The best ever this is how many stars I would give it. ps spot the difference . ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️🌟⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    ThebombRonaldo#CR7
    United States5 months ago

Listeners Say

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

Coupled with insightful discussions on language evolution, the show garners positive feedback for being both entertaining and informative.
Many find the show a great way to explore linguistic curiosities and enjoy how hosts encourage caller interaction.
Listeners appreciate the engaging and educational nature of the conversations, often highlighting the warmth and humor of the hosts.

Chart Rankings

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

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Cat Bristle - 15 September 2025
Q: What is a wuzzle?
A wuzzle refers to tangled cables, particularly in engineering contexts, and has roots in a 19th-century book.
Cat Bristle - 15 September 2025
Q: What does Cat Bristle mean?
It's an expression of delight or surprise or frustration, akin to a replacement swear word.
Made from Scratch (Rebroadcast) - 8 September 2025
Q: Why is the term 'preach' used in slang?
It's short for 'I appreciate you', a term that has been used in teen slang since at least the 1980s.
Made from Scratch (Rebroadcast) - 8 September 2025
Q: What is the origin of the phrase 'making something from scratch'?
It has a very literal origin referring to a line scratched in the ground to mark the starting point of a race.
Your Imaginary Boyfriend (Rebroadcast) - 11 August 2025
Q: What should I call a house room that contains a sink but feels like it's not quite a kitchen?
The most accurate name could be "sink room," referring to a small room with a sink often near a kitchen.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
Interests
Professions
Age Range
Household Income
Social Media Reach

Frequently Asked Questions About A Way with Words

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

Listeners are invited to engage in lively discussions surrounding language and its evolution, encompassing a wide range of topics such as slang, idioms, dialects, and word histories. Featuring a mix of personal anecdotes, listener calls, and expert insights, the conversations are both entertaining and educational. Callers share their linguistic curiosities and family expressions, often prompting the hosts to explore the cultural significance and origins of various phrases. The unique blend of humor and warmth facilitates a welcoming atmosphere for language enthusiasts and casual listeners alike, making it an enriching resource for anyone interested in how language shapes our daily lives.

Where can I find podcast stats for A Way with Words?

Rephonic provides a wide range of podcast stats for A Way with Words. We scanned the web and collated all of the information that we could find in our comprehensive podcast database. See how many people listen to A Way with Words and access YouTube viewership numbers, download stats, audience demographics, chart rankings, ratings, reviews and more.

How many listeners does A Way with Words get?

Rephonic provides a full set of podcast information for three million podcasts, including the number of listeners. View further listenership figures for A Way with Words, including podcast download numbers and subscriber numbers, so you can make better decisions about which podcasts to sponsor or be a guest on. You will need to upgrade your account to access this premium data.

What are the audience demographics for A Way with Words?

Rephonic provides comprehensive predictive audience data for A Way with Words, including gender skew, age, country, political leaning, income, professions, education level, and interests. You can access these listener demographics by upgrading your account.

How many subscribers and views does A Way with Words have?

To see how many followers or subscribers A Way with Words has on Spotify and other platforms such as Castbox and Podcast Addict, simply upgrade your account. You'll also find viewership figures for their YouTube channel if they have one.

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. Nobody Listens to Paula Poundstone
3. How To Do Everything
4. Science Friday
5. The Best of Car Talk

How many episodes of A Way with Words are there?

A Way with Words launched 20 years ago and published 788 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

How do I contact A Way with Words?

Our systems regularly scour the web to find email addresses and social media links for this podcast. We scanned the web and collated all of the contact information that we could find in our podcast database. But in the unlikely event that you can't find what you're looking for, our concierge service lets you request our research team to source better contacts for you.

Where can I see ratings and reviews for A Way with Words?

Rephonic pulls ratings and reviews for A Way with Words from multiple sources, including Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Castbox, and Podcast Addict.

View all the reviews in one place instead of visiting each platform individually and use this information to decide if a show is worth pitching or not.

How do I access podcast episode transcripts for A Way with Words?

Rephonic provides full transcripts for episodes of A Way with Words. Search within each transcript for your keywords, whether they be topics, brands or people, and figure out if it's worth pitching as a guest or sponsor. You can even set-up alerts to get notified when your keywords are mentioned.

What guests have appeared on A Way with Words?

Recent guests on A Way with Words include:

1. Tory Paulson
2. Chris Mershrod
3. Orianna Fisher
4. Logan Weber
5. Terry Wilson
6. Dawn Davis
7. Rosalyn Maxwell
8. Jason Meyer

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

Find and pitch the right podcasts

We help savvy brands, marketers and PR professionals to find the right podcasts for any topic or niche. Get the data and contacts you need to pitch podcasts at scale and turn listeners into customers.
Try it free for 7 days