About this episode

This episode explores various terms related to weather and the increasing size of automobiles, along with other linguistic curiosities.

If someone tells you it’s flisky or flobby outside, do you need to take an umbrella? A new book about England’s soggy climate includes 188 terms for rainy weather. Americans have their own joking names for local weather, from June Gloom in Southern California to Snowvember on the East Coast. And: Does it seem like automobiles are getting bigger lately? They are indeed, and there’s a new word for that: carspreading. Plus, no soldiering, drisk, kelsher, a musical puzzle, Fogust, esophagastroduodenoscopy, my boo, gorgeous, ballicater, prog, and Has your mother sold her mangle? 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

Topics covered

• weather terminology
• language
• automobiles
• cultural references
• linguistics

Keywords

• rainy weather
• carspreading
• June Gloom
• Snowvember
• linguistic puzzles

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

• Takes the Cake (Rebroadcast) - 7 September 2026 · September 7, 2026 · 54 min
• Secret Code - 31 August 2026 · August 31, 2026 · 54 min
• Blessing Box (Rebroadcast) - 24 August 2026 · August 24, 2026 · 54 min
• Apple Turnover - 17 August 2026 · August 17, 2026 · 54 min
• Fair Dinkum (Rebroadcast) - 10 August 2026 · August 10, 2026 · 54 min
• By a Landslide (Rebroadcast) - 27 July 2026 · July 27, 2026 · 54 min

Explore listener stats, chart rankings, contacts and more on the A Way with Words - language, linguistics, and callers from all over podcast page.