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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
Etymology
Idioms
Language Evolution
Linguistics
Language Change
Regional Dialects
Cultural Expressions
Slang
English Language
Expressions
Colloquialisms
Cocktail
American English
Dialect
Regional Expressions
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

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes985Founded21 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
Society & CultureEducationLanguage Learning

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Artwork for A Way with Words

Latest Episodes

“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

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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

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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

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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

YouTube

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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
Daniel Mendelsohn
Author, critic, and essayist discussed in the book segment
Bard College (via discussion)
Episode: Flash in the Pan - 22 June 2026
John Chonesky
Quiz guy, quizmaster on the show
A Way with Words
Episode: Flash in the Pan - 22 June 2026
Jacob B.
Caller from Frankfort, Kentucky
Episode: In the Ballpark (Rebroadcast) - 15 June 2026
Betty Wooten
Caller from Georgetown, Kentucky
Episode: In the Ballpark (Rebroadcast) - 15 June 2026
Yvette Matthews
Caller from North Dakota discussing pleasurable words and psychology of sound
Episode: If Grandma Had Wheels (Rebroadcast) - 18 May 2026
Katya Hilton
Caller from Jacksonville, Florida sharing German saying about Oma
Episode: If Grandma Had Wheels (Rebroadcast) - 18 May 2026

Hosts

Grant Barrett
Linguist and lexicographer, co-host known for guiding word-origin discussions and language quizzes.
Martha Barnette
Lifelong language enthusiast and co-host who facilitates audience interaction, calls, and storytelling around words and phrases.

Reviews

4.6 out of 5 stars from 3k ratings
  • Awesome

    Love the show. Thank you

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    IlliniGuy1234
    United States2 months 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 States4 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 States4 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.

Audience loves the call-in format and engaging word quizzes.
Listeners praise friendly, approachable hosts who make linguistics entertaining.
Feedback highlights educational yet fun discussions and wide-ranging language topics.

Chart Rankings

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

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Fair Dinkum (Rebroadcast) - 10 August 2026
Q: What does Fair Dinkum mean and where did it come from?
It means authentic or genuinely genuine; the term originated in English dialects and traveled with settlers to Australia and New Zealand, where it evolved in usage, though its exact origins are uncertain.
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.

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, 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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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. The Moth
4. Radiolab
5. Christopher Kimball’s Milk Street Radio

How many episodes of A Way with Words are there?

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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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. Daniel Mendelsohn
5. John Chonesky
6. Jacob B.
7. Betty Wooten
8. Yvette Matthews

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