Because Language - a podcast about linguistics, the science of language.
Similar topics: linguistics and language
Society & Culture
A Way with Words - language, linguistics, and callers from all over
by Martha Barnette and Grant Barrett. Produced by Stefanie Levine.
Today: #38 in Society & Culture, South Africa on our combined chart.
Chart positions today · Germany
Not on the United States charts we track today.
Not on the United Kingdom charts we track today.
Not on the Canada charts we track today.
Not on the Australia charts we track today.
Not on the Germany charts we track today.
Not on the Brazil charts we track today.
Not on the Mexico charts we track today.
Not on the New Zealand charts we track today.
Not on the Ireland charts we track today.
Not on the India charts we track today.
Not on the Japan charts we track today.
Not on the Philippines charts we track today.
If you like A Way with Words - language…, try…
Speaking Brazilian Podcast
Similar topics: linguistics and words
Writing Wrongs
Similar topics: linguistics and slang
The Expressions Podcast
Also in Society & Culture
Lingthusiasm - A podcast that's enthusiastic about linguistics
Also in Society & Culture
A Beautiful Mess Podcast
Also in Society & Culture
Ranking history · Germany
No ranking history for this show in Germany over the last 7 days.
Latest episodes
-
High Jinks (Rebroadcast) - 12 October 2026
October 12, 2026 · 54 minFor many people, religion provides language and rituals for key milestones in life, from births to weddings to funerals. But what if you don't ascribe to any particular religion? What words do you use to mark those moments? An uplifting…
-
Spinning Cookies (Rebroadcast) - 5 October 2026
October 5, 2026 · 54 minA book of photographs and essays by famous writers celebrates libraries — and the librarians who changed their lives. Plus cutting doughnuts, spinning cookies, and pulling brodies: There are lots of ways to talk about spinning a car in…
-
Just Skylarking (Rebroadcast) - 28 September 2026
September 28, 2026 · 54 minThe art of the invitation can be tricky. An inviter’s idea of invitation may be taken by an invitee as merely mentioning an event while they’re nearby. One such a misunderstanding went on for months! Plus, George Saunders, winner of the…
-
Carpe Diem - 21 September 2026
September 21, 2026 · 54 minCarpe diem! A new book reveals the surprisingly unfamiliar stories behind familiar quotations. Also: Rock climbers have gumbies, and surfers have kooks. What do those words say about beginners who have more confidence than experience?…
-
Folding Money (Rebroadcast) - 14 September 2026
September 14, 2026 · 54 minBarbara Kingsolver’s book Demon Copperhead is a retelling of Charles Dickens’ David Copperfield set in today’s Appalachia. Martha shares memories of a long-ago visit to Kingsolver’s family farm in Virginia, where they discussed many of the…
Show 7 more episodesShow fewer episodes
-
Takes the Cake (Rebroadcast) - 7 September 2026
September 7, 2026 · 54 minWhat do you call a long sandwich filled with lots of ingredients? Whether you call it a sub, a hoagie, a grinder, or something else entirely depends on where you’re from. And: Martha’s visit to an Alaskan reindeer ranch reveals why you…
-
Secret Code - 31 August 2026
August 31, 2026 · 54 min“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…
-
Blessing Box (Rebroadcast) - 24 August 2026
August 24, 2026 · 54 minIs 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…
-
Apple Turnover - 17 August 2026
August 17, 2026 · 54 minCritters, 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…
-
Fair Dinkum (Rebroadcast) - 10 August 2026
August 10, 2026 · 54 minA 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…
-
Wired for Sound - 3 August 2026
August 3, 2026 · 54 minIf 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…
-
By a Landslide (Rebroadcast) - 27 July 2026
July 27, 2026 · 54 minHow 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…
About the show
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: https://waywordradio.org/contact or words@waywordradio.org.
In the US and Canada, call or text 1 (877) 929-9673 toll-free 24/7.
Send a voice note or message via WhatsApp, 16198004443.
From everywhere, call or text +1 (619) 800-4443.
Past episodes, show notes, full search, more: https://waywordradio.org.
A Way with Words is listener-supported! https://waywordradio.org/donate ❤️
Listen without ads here! https://awww.supportingcast.fm