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

Jumped Up Bald-Headed (Rebroadcast) - 6 April 2015

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

A Way with Words

Language Learning, Society & Culture, Education

4.6 • 2.3K Ratings

🗓️ 6 April 2015

⏱️ 52 minutes

🧾️ Download transcript

Summary

What do your pronouns say about your own psychological makeup? If you use the word I a lot, does it mean you’re a leader . . . or a follower? A surprising study suggests that people of lower status in a group tend to use I the most. Also, a look at why businesses intentionally misspell the names of their products. Sometimes it’s a smart marketing strategy — and sometimes it’s a necessity. Plus, bunt vs. butt, Duck Duck Gray Duck vs. Duck Duck Goose, alumnae vs. alumni, the silent s in island, throwing a wobbly, and “Holy old jumping up baldheaded!” Read full show notes, hear hundreds of free episodes, send your thoughts and questions, and learn more on the A Way with Words website: https://waywordradio.org/contact. Be a part of the show: call 1 (877) 929-9673 toll-free in the United States and Canada; worldwide, call or text/SMS +1 (619) 800-4443. Email words@waywordradio.org. Twitter @wayword. Copyright Wayword, Inc., a 501(c)(3) corporation. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Transcript

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0:00.0

Language connects us and away with words celebrates that connection every week.

0:04.8

But did you know the show is largely listener supported?

0:08.0

Your donations help us unravel the intricacies of language and culture.

0:13.0

Visit wayward radio dot O.R.G slash donate

0:16.4

and contribute what the show means to you.

0:19.0

Thank you for being a part of Away With Words.

0:22.0

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

0:25.0

I'm Grant Barrett.

0:26.0

And I'm Martha Barnett.

0:28.0

Remember the first time that you saw a sign for the chain of toy stores called Toys R Us?

0:32.0

Toys R Us. Do R Us, yeah.

0:33.8

Yeah, the backward R, the misspelling, the colorful letters,

0:38.6

yeah, the kids kind of printing.

0:40.0

Ungrammatical.

0:40.9

Do you remember what you felt? I feeling what's wrong I was a kid I

0:45.6

wanted to go in and I wanted toys oh it attracted you yes they had stomper trucks in

0:51.6

there I wanted them so badly.

0:54.0

I've been thinking about this. Sometimes it's called sensational spelling or divergent spelling

1:00.0

when companies specifically misspell something on purpose.

1:05.0

And I guess it's to get your attention,

1:07.0

but I'm just thinking more and more about how it makes me feel.

1:11.0

And I think it makes me feel

...

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