A Way with Words - language, linguistics, and callers from all over
by Martha Barnette and Grant Barrett. Produced by Stefanie Levine.
Last updated Oct 26, 2026Is this your podcast?Fun conversation with callers from all over about new words, old sayings, slang, family expressions, word histories, linguistics, dialects, word games, books, literature, writing, and more.Be on the show with author/jour...
Insights from recent episode analysis
On the show
- Kory Stamper1 ep
- Kelly Barnhill1 ep
Audience Interest
Podcast Focus
Publishing Consistency
Insights are generated by CastFox AI using publicly available data, episode content, and proprietary models.
Most discussed topics
Brands & references
Total monthly reach
Based on 1 signal.
Built from
By chart position
- 🇺🇸United States · Society & CultureHOME#1863.8K to 20K
- 🇿🇦ZA · Society & Culture#11376 to 404
- Per-Episode Audience
Est. listeners per new episode within ~30 days
3.8K to 20K🎙 ~2x weekly·985 episodes·Last published 2d ago - Monthly Reach
Unique listeners across all episodes (30 days)
7.7K to 40K🇺🇸98%🇿🇦2% - Active Followers
Loyal subscribers who consistently listen
4.2K to 22K
Market Insights
Platform Distribution
Reach across major podcast platforms, updated hourly
Total Followers
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Total Plays
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Total Reviews
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* Data sourced directly from platform APIs and aggregated hourly across all major podcast directories.
| Date | Episode | Topics | Guests | Brands | Places | Keywords | Sponsor | Length | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10/26/26 |  Dyed in the Wool - 26 October 2026 | When in Rome, do as the Romans do. We all know this proverb means to respect local customs when traveling, or more generally, to go along with a larger group. But why Rome? There’s a surprising story behind this phrase. And: Do we inherit our accents from our parents, peers, or the place we grow up? Plus, handy words for gunk: gookumpucky and stickumpucky. Also, cheater’s proof, dyed in the wool vs. dyed in the grain, have vs. take vs. get a shower, off or on the schneid, a brain teaser about clipping letters, Gedankenstrich, creasing and being creased up, shucky beans, leather britches, and more. 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 | 53m 45s | ||||||
| 10/19/26 |  Alligator Mouth (Rebroadcast) - 19 October 2026 | Kinbank is a new database that illustrates the global diversity of family terms. English, for example, specifies sibling relationships with just one of two terms: sister or brother. But most other languages have even more specific terms. In Japanese, for instance, there’s a single word for “older brother” and another for “younger sister.” Plus, confused by all the names in Russian novels? Characters often go by more than one name, but there are strategies for keeping them all straight. And: why someone who’s pepper-nosed isn’t going to welcome that new pickleball court next door. Also, slide out on one’s ear, a game about life in alternate universes, Konglish, uce, how one’s accent develops, Du gehst mir auf den Keks, why someone who is heavily drugged is said to be snowed, and kangaroo words. 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 | 53m 45s | ||||||
| 10/12/26 |  High Jinks (Rebroadcast) - 12 October 2026 | For many people, religion provides language and rituals for key milestones in life, from births to weddings to funerals. But what if you don’t ascribe to any particular religion? What words do you use to mark those moments? An uplifting new book suggests turning to the language of poetry to honor lifecycle events. And speaking of rituals, if you say rabbit, rabbit before you say anything else on the first day of every month, supposedly you’ll have good luck. But if you forget, don’t worry — there’s a remedy for that! Plus, kit bag question, petrichor, a puzzle about funny synonyms, waltzing Matilda, tut and tsk, gee whittaker, be-bopping, and If you don’t chance your arm, you won’t break your neck. 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 | 53m 45s | ||||||
| 10/5/26 |  Spinning Cookies (Rebroadcast) - 5 October 2026 | A book of photographs and essays by famous writers celebrates libraries — and the librarians who changed their lives. Plus cutting doughnuts, spinning cookies, and pulling brodies: There are lots of ways to talk about spinning a car in circles on purpose. And if there’s gravel, well, that just makes it more fun! And if you’re faffing about at work, are you busy or idle? Also, Kushtaka, Cooter Brown, fafflement, a puzzle about homographs, toboggan, an inspiring letter from E.B. White, bags not!, the admonition be particular! and more. 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 | 53m 45s | ||||||
| 9/28/26 |  Just Skylarking (Rebroadcast) - 28 September 2026 | The art of the invitation can be tricky. An inviter’s idea of invitation may be taken by an invitee as merely mentioning an event while they’re nearby. One such a misunderstanding went on for months! Plus, George Saunders, winner of the Booker Prize, says some of the best advice about crafting a story comes from Dr. Seuss. And the icebreaker that doubles as a Dad joke: Do you live around here or ride a bicycle? Wait, what??? Also, stodgy, claggy, undertaker, a fill-in-the-blanks brain teaser, funny childhood misunderstandings, antimetabole and chiasmus, widow’s peak, skylarking, and why some people pronounce the word wash as warsh. 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 | 53m 45s | ||||||
| 9/21/26 |  Carpe Diem - 21 September 2026 | Carpe diem! A new book reveals the surprisingly unfamiliar stories behind familiar quotations. Also: Rock climbers have gumbies, and surfers have kooks. What do those words say about beginners who have more confidence than experience? Plus, if you’re planning a night on the tiles, where exactly are you headed? And doggerel from a century ago, canine hassling, kerfuffle, oofless, a quiz about Greek letters, Lucky lucky white horse ding dong day, whatever I wish, bring me today, sending newbies for frequency grease, and sitting with the bathtub. 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 | 53m 45s | ||||||
| 9/14/26 |  Folding Money (Rebroadcast) - 14 September 2026 | Barbara Kingsolver’s book Demon Copperhead is a retelling of Charles Dickens’ David Copperfield set in today’s Appalachia. Martha shares memories of a long-ago visit to Kingsolver’s family farm in Virginia, where they discussed many of the same issues covered in this Pulitzer-winning novel. Plus, how could the Carp River in Michigan have that name long before carp existed in the area? The answer is in the history of immigration. And a high-schooler asks how throwing someone under the bus became a synonym for betrayal. Also: willipus-wallipus, lapslock, Fortune favors the audacious, del año del caldo, nonce words, a brain teaser with rhyming answers, a punning joke about Switzerland, clink, jing, jinglers, and janglers, drop a dime, and You shred it, wheat! 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 | 53m 45s | ||||||
| 9/7/26 | languagelinguistics+3 | — | A Way with Words | AlaskanUnited States+2 | subhoagie+5 | — | 53m 45s | ||
| 8/31/26 | restaurant languageCold War intrigue+3 | — | Wayword, Inc. | — | restaurant serversCold War+5 | — | 53m 45s | ||
| 8/24/26 | neutral accentsouthern Californian speech+4 | — | Wayword, Inc. | — | neutral accentsouthern California+4 | — | 53m 45s | ||
| 8/17/26 | languagelinguistics+5 | — | Wayword, Inc. | United StatesCaribbean | mixed-breed dogHeinz 57+6 | — | 53m 45s | ||
| 8/10/26 | English languageessays+4 | — | The People’s Tongue | — | Englishlinguistics+5 | — | 53m 45s | ||
| 8/3/26 | weather terminologylanguage+3 | — | Wayword, Inc.A Way with Words | England | rainy weathercarspreading+3 | — | 53m 45s | ||
| 7/27/26 | Chinese scriptmodern technology+3 | — | Wayword, Inc.By a Landslide | ChinaUnited States+1 | Chinese typewriterdead man's hand+3 | — | 53m 45s | ||
| 7/20/26 | ketchup historylanguage loss+3 | — | ketchupWayword, Inc.+1 | — | ketchuplanguage death+5 | — | 53m 45s | ||
| 7/13/26 | language developmentsundials+4 | — | Wayword, Inc.A Way with Words | Japan | sundiallanguage development+6 | — | 53m 45s | ||
| 7/6/26 | typosvoice-to-text+4 | — | Cheese Toastieshumuhumunukunukuapuaʻa+3 | MidwestHawaii | typovoice-to-text+5 | — | 53m 45s | ||
| 6/29/26 | gossiplanguage+4 | — | love poems | English | gossipJohn Donne+5 | — | 53m 45s | ||
| 6/22/26 | languagerelationships+3 | — | Wayword, Inc.A Way with Words+1 | — | flash in the pangongoozler+5 | — | 53m 45s | ||
| 6/15/26 | creativityperfectionism+3 | — | Wayword, Inc. | — | Charles DickensPrince+5 | — | 53m 45s | ||
| 6/8/26 | naturememoir+4 | — | Raising Hare | United StatesCanada+1 | memoirnature+5 | — | 53m 45s | ||
| 6/1/26 | college essayschildren's literature+4 | Kelly Barnhill | Wayword, Inc.Official Scrabble Dictionary+9 | — | college essayschildren's literature+3 | — | 53m 45s | ||
| 5/25/26 | animal perceptionromantic novels+4 | — | Wayword, Inc.Snookums+1 | United States | animal perceptionromantic novels+6 | — | 53m 45s | ||
| 5/18/26 | lexicographylanguage+4 | — | Oxford English DictionaryA Way with Words | VictorianGermany | Oxford English DictionaryJames Murray+5 | — | 53m 45s | ||
| 5/11/26 | accentslanguage development+4 | — | Why We Talk Funny | Philadelphia | accentslinguistics+5 | — | 53m 45s | ||
| 5/4/26 | slanglanguage+3 | — | Wayword, Inc.A Way with Words | Alabama | slang termstouch grass+3 | — | 53m 45s | ||
| 4/26/26 | tech supportslang+3 | — | Wayword, Inc.A Way with Words | — | PEBCAKID10T problem+3 | — | 53m 45s | ||
| 4/20/26 | grammarlanguage+4 | — | a new book | United StatesCanada+1 | grammarword nerds+7 | — | 53m 45s | ||
| 4/13/26 | dictionary definitionscolor terminology+3 | Kory Stamper | Wayword, Inc.A Way with Words | — | dictionarycolors+3 | — | 53m 45s | ||
| 4/6/26 | languagecommunication+4 | — | Wayword, Inc. | — | emailsfirst name+6 | — | 53m 45s | ||
| 3/30/26 | language evolutionAmerican Sign Language+3 | — | A Way with WordsWayword, Inc.+1 | — | American Sign Languagerestaurant slang+3 | — | 53m 45s | ||
| 3/23/26 | vegetarianismscrewball comedies+4 | — | Wayword, Inc.screwball comedies | Saint Never’s Day | vegetarianscrewball+6 | — | 53m 45s | ||
| 3/16/26 | marriage customswriting advice+4 | — | A Way with Words | United StatesCanada+1 | bridewriting advice+5 | — | 53m 45s | ||
| 3/9/26 | happinesslanguage learning+3 | — | Wayword, Inc. | — | happinesslanguage learning+5 | — | 53m 45s | ||
| 3/2/26 | puzzleschronic illnesses+4 | — | Wayword, Inc.Wordle+1 | — | puzzlesbrain teasers+6 | — | 53m 45s | ||
| 2/23/26 | slangsubcultures+4 | — | Wayword, Inc.A Way with Words | — | slangsubculture+5 | — | 53m 45s | ||
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Chart history for A Way with Words - language, linguistics, and callers from all over
Peaked at #113 in South Africa, currently #113 in South Africa.
| Market | Genre | Peak | Current | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| South Africa | — | #113 | #113 | — |
| United States | — | #186 | #186 | — |
Chart Positions
2 placements across 2 markets.
Chart Positions
2 placements across 2 markets.