Want to Be on the Radio with Us?

I'm having a blast with our new season of "A Way with Words," and with my lovely co-host Grant Barrett -- as well as with all of you who've been so kind as to call or email the show with your questions about language.

Meanwhile, don't forget that you're invited to join us on the air for a round of "Slang This!" -- a playful game in which you try to guess the meaning of new and unfamiliar terms.

If you'd like a shot at playing our game, email us: words@kpbs.org. Include your full name, city and state, daytime telephone number, and the best time to reach you. Also, please include a few lines about your favorite slang word, new word, or colloquial expression.

If you're selected for our game, you'll a nifty prize for playing -- not to mention all the radio fame you can possibly stand!

And as always, if you have a question about grammar, usage, word and phrase origins, idioms, regionalisms, or your most annoying linguistic pet peeve, call us any time! Our phone line's always open: 1-877-929-9673. Or drop us a line: words@kpbs.org.

You Say Babel, I Say Babble?

On "A Way with Words," there's no topic more touchy than pronunciation. So, how do you say the name of the movie "Babel"? Even Brad Pitt doesn't know.

Today's Words: Lagan/Ligan

I knew about flotsam and jetsam, but I'm indebted to Mark, commenting on an earlier post, for introducing me to the word lagan, also spelled ligan, which seems to have all sorts of untapped potential as a metaphor, no? Thanks, Mark. Okay, all you poets -- let's see some works using the word lagan!

Goin' to the Dogs

I always enjoy Nathan Bierma's weekly column "On Language" in the Chicago Tribune. This week, he's writing about "dog" words -- and quoting me.

Word of the Day: Globster

Am I the only person who didn't know until just now the meaning of the word globster?