A Way with Words - language, linguistics, and callers from all over - Country Mile - 9 November 2026
visão geral
You know the expression "fly in the ointment": It’s that glaring typo on an impressive resume, or that first scratch on a brand-new car—the one little flaw that spoils it all. This phrase goes all the way back to the biblical Book of Ecclesiastes! And: When did college students begin calling test-taking shortcuts “ponies”? If you rode the pony, you could pass an exam without all that studying. Plus, fond names for mixed-breed dogs, including “canardly”—so-called because you “can hardly” tell what kind it is! All this, and go down the shore, Warney!, finger tax, just desserts vs. just deserts, lalochezia, a brain teaser about overinflated sayings, barked by shin, Danish terms for mixed-breed dogs, picky bits, muckle onto, and The cobbler’s children always go barefoot, so Put your shoes on, Lucy, and listen!
Hear hundreds of free episodes and learn more on the A Way with Words website: https://waywordradio.org. Be a part of the show: call or text 1 (877) 929-9673 toll-free in the United States and Canada; elsewhere in the world, call or text +1 619 800 4443. Send voice notes or messages via WhatsApp 16198004443. Email words@waywordradio.org. Copyright Wayword, Inc., a 501(c)(3) corporation.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices