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

Like a Duck on a June Bug - 3 Aug. 2009

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

🗓️ 3 August 2009

⏱️ 51 minutes

🧾️ Download transcript

Summary

Why are the names of cars so unimaginative? Grant argues that auto manufacturers might take inspiration from ornithology to build a better car name. (Then again, would you be any less aggravated if you were rear-ended by a lazuli bunting?) Also this week, why do so many young folks pepper their speech with the word “like,” and what, if anything, can be done about it? All that, plus Luddites, chicken bog, a duck on a June bug, and the possible origins of the phrase “to get one’s goat.” 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

Transcript

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0:00.0

Spark your creativity with the Sims. Sometimes you might feel like you're not creative

0:06.7

and you have to go in search of your creative spark again. Maybe this is catching up with

0:11.3

creative friends, experimenting with a new look or trying out a new recipe.

0:15.7

And thanks to The Sims, inspiration is just one game and one spark away.

0:21.1

Ready to spark something? Download the Sims 4 and play for free.

0:25.0

Support for Away with Words comes from Mozy online backup.

0:31.0

Mozy protects your valuable computer files against data loss from hard

0:34.9

drive crashes, viruses, theft, and other disasters. Find out more at MOZY.com. You're listening to Away with Words. I'm Martha Barnett. And I'm Grant Barrett.

0:48.8

Martha, I've always wanted to know why can't the names of computers and cars be better.

0:55.3

They come up with these awful boring brand names, this product names, just not interesting

0:59.6

really to me.

1:00.6

I know that they're trying to sell a product but here's this there's a whole category of

1:04.3

names out there that they could draw from that's far more interesting.

1:08.9

Bird names.

1:09.9

Bird names.

1:10.9

Listen to this, Try this one.

1:13.0

Lausele Bunting.

1:14.0

That's L-A-Z-U-L-I-Bunting, B-U-N-T-I-N-G.

1:18.0

It's a good name, that's the name of a bird, it's a blue finch, and it's L-S's lausily bunting.

1:23.4

Well that sounds like a character in a, you know,

1:26.2

brightshead revisited or something, doesn't it?

1:28.6

It's festive, it's fun.

...

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