Word Hoard (Rebroadcast) - 12 January 2026

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

A Way with Words

Language Learning, Education, Society & Culture

4.6 • 2.1K Ratings

🗓️ 12 January 2026

⏱️ 53 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

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Summary

Ever wonder what medieval England looked and sounded like? In Old English, the word hord meant "treasure" and your wordhord was the treasure of words locked up inside you. A delightful new book uses the language of that period to create a vivid look at everyday life. Plus, a shotgun house is long and narrow with no hallway -- just one room leading into the next. It's an architectural style with a long history stretching from Africa to Haiti and into the American South. And: say you accidentally cut someone off in traffic, and you know it's your fault. What's a quick, clear way to communicate that you're sorry? NO texting allowed! All that, and feaking, feather merchant, gradoo, spondulicks, echar un zorrito, tocayo and cueto, a take-off quiz, and an onomatopoeic Old English word for "sneeze." 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 [email protected]. 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	Right, time to get you pet insurance with pet jebity.
0:03.8	Pet jevity.
0:05.1	You know, like longevity but for your pets long-gevity, but for your pets long and healthy life?
0:08.4	They have no upper age limit for dogs or cats.
0:11.1	Meow!
0:11.9	They insure hundreds of thousands of pores and have 24-7 access to vet video calls.
0:17.7	Look for pet jevity wherever you shop online for insurance.
0:21.6	The vet video calls if your pet is in need of urgent medical assistance, contact your local
0:25.9	vet immediately. Visit petjavity.co.uk for full details.
0:30.2	You're listening to Away With Words, the show about language and how we use it. I'm Grant
0:34.9	Barrett. And I'm Martha Barnett. We're still hearing responses to the jogger who was on our show,
0:41.3	who wanted a word to say when he's coming up behind somebody so that he doesn't startle them.
0:46.0	And I think the most popular suggestion turned out to be just to say, on your left or on your right.
0:52.9	But we also heard from Victoria Wolf in Sacramento, California,
0:57.9	who said that conversation brought up another question that's been bugging her.
1:02.6	Say you're driving a car and you make a mistake and you know it's your mistake.
1:06.7	You pulled out in front of somebody when you shouldn't have.
1:09.3	How do you signal to them?
1:11.2	Oops, my bad.
1:13.2	Oh, I know.
1:14.6	What I do.
1:15.2	I mouth the word sorry in exaggerated facial expressions.
	...

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