Hey there, it's Martha.

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You're listening to Away With Words, the show about language and how we use it. I'm Grant Parrott.

And I'm Martha Barnett. The other night I was at a wine bar, and it was my first time there,

and I was looking over their unfamiliar menu, which reminded me of that peculiar variety of language we call

Winespeak. You know what I'm talking about, right? Very stilted and weird, is that? Yeah, well,

check out this description of a Santa Barbara granage from that menu. Luxurious and mysterious

with every kiss to your lips. Strawberries, rhubarb, and hints of leather are present in the nose.

Ripe, forward fruit, with mulberry, cardamum, tea leaves on the first sip.

Medium body is belied by the depth and melange of flavors, melding into a long finish with

Dutch cocoa lingering on the palate, balanced by soft tannins.

Dutch cocoa. We're not talking Ovalteen. We're talking Dutch cocoa.

I got to admit, it sounds like somebody's just been licking the spice rack and then talking

about it. I'm not convinced. I mean, my mom had a lazy Susan that they always got the

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