A Way with Words - language, linguistics, and callers from all over · Martha Barnette and Grant Barrett. Produced by Stefanie Levine.

Sleepy Winks (Rebroadcast) - 22 September 2025

·54 min·5 clips

Damien reveals his Hungarian grandmother's word for eye crust, sparking a worldwide linguistic journey.

Hosts Grant Barrett and Martha Barnette engage with callers on diverse language topics, including a Hungarian term for eye crust, the physics difference between engine and motor, a spelling feud in a van group, the evolving meaning of brainstorm, and a child's mix-up of capital letters and cities. The episode blends etymology, usage debates, and playful linguistic insights.

As heard by us

A lively tour of florid sentences, spelling disputes, and language talk.

A Way With Words turns Edward Bower Lytton's famous opening line into an easy, good-humored look at why language keeps pulling people back in.

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Why you'd press play

For a bright detour through florid sentences, spelling friction, and warm wordnerd banter.

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