Match Game - 11 May 2026

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

🗓️ 11 May 2026

⏱️ 53 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

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Summary

Why do speakers of the same language have different accents? A lively new book called Why We Talk Funny offers a linguist’s look at how and why accents develop. And: If you’ve “stood up” at a wedding, were you supporting the marriage or objecting to it? Plus, a new expression making the rounds: “AI breath.” It describes writing that seems as though it was artificially generated. Also, how to pronounce the name of Henry David Thoreau, when the moistures meet, scare the living daylights out of someone, since Christ left Philadelphia, a cryptic puzzle, anatomical agita, the Dutch roots of coleslaw, Haare auf den Zähnen haben, and It’ll grow hair on your back teeth! 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	Make your summer with Starbucks.
0:04.0	Make it silky.
0:05.0	Make it creamy.
0:06.0	Make it ice cool.
0:08.0	Make it take the scenic route.
0:10.0	Make it sunset vibes all day.
0:12.0	Make it soft launch energy.
0:14.0	Make it smooth.
0:15.0	Make it strawberry matcher, caramel mocha or brown sugar.
0:18.0	Make it yours.
0:19.0	Discover the new Starbucks Cloud Frappuccino
0:22.1	blended beverage range today. Their delicious, creamy cold foam will make your summer. Subject to
0:27.7	availability while stocks last. You're listening to Away with Words, the show about language,
0:32.8	and how we use it. I'm Grant Barrett. And I'm Martha Barnett. Well, it turns out that all these years now,
0:40.5	I've been mispronouncing the name of the author of Walden. You know, the guy who moved to the woods.
0:46.8	Oh, yes, I saw that. All this time, I thought his name was pronounced Thoreau, but no.
0:54.5	How was it pronounced it? Thoreau, but no. How is it pronounced it?
0:56.4	Thoreau.
0:57.4	Thoreau.
0:58.3	Thoreau? Like I thoroughly did it.
1:00.1	Yeah, or I'm thoroughly surprised that it's pronounced that way.
1:04.3	But here's the story.
	...

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