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

Your Imaginary Boyfriend (Rebroadcast) - 19 September 2022

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

🗓️ 19 September 2022

⏱️ 52 minutes

🧾️ Download transcript

Summary

We use the term Milky Way for that glowing arc across the sky. But how people picture it varies from culture to culture. In Sweden, that starry band goes by a name that means "Winter Street," and in Hawaii, a term for the Milky Way translates as "fish jumping in shadows." And: the history of naming rooms in a house. Some old houses have a room off the kitchen with only a sink and cabinets. It's not a kitchen, exactly — but what's it called? Plus, the colorful flag of one European town features a visual pun on its name. It's a drawing of a hand holding a heart. All that, and head over teacups, humpty-twelve, lowdown, chockablock, overhaul, Desperate Ambrose, honyock, an imaginary boyfriend named Raoul, so mad I could spit nickels, and more. 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

Hey, it's Martha with a quick word for our listeners in Vermont.

0:05.0

I'll be speaking at the Brooks Memorial Library on Wednesday, October 4th at 7 p.m.

0:10.0

I hope you'll bring your questions about language and your recommendations for the best

0:15.0

maple creamies and the best cider donuts in town.

0:18.0

That's Wednesday, October 4th at 7 p.m. at the Brooks Memorial Library.

0:23.0

The event is free, but you must register to attend.

0:26.0

Go to BrooksLibraryvt.org for details.

0:29.0

Hope to see you there.

0:31.0

You're listening to a way with words to show about language and how we use it.

0:35.0

I'm Grant Barrett.

0:36.0

And I'm Martha Barnett.

0:38.0

Not that long ago, we were talking about indefinite hyperbolic numerals.

0:42.0

You remember that conversation, Grant?

0:44.0

Right.

0:45.0

Forty-Eleven Zillions, Gillians, and all those other approximate numbers.

0:49.0

Right. Those indefinite approximate numbers.

0:52.0

Well, a couple of weeks ago, I was visiting family in the mountains of North Carolina.

0:57.0

And I heard another one that I really love.

1:00.0

And I'm going to adopt, which is Humpty-12.

1:03.0

Humpty-12.

1:06.0

I mean, about a dozen, but maybe not a dozen, a little more or less.

1:10.0

Oh, yeah, yeah.

...

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