A Way with Words - language, linguistics, and callers from all over - Outer Space - 8 June 2026

A writer stumbles upon a tiny, motionless creature on a country road and, against all good advice, takes it home. The resulting memoir, Raising Hare, is a lovely meditation on nature and our relationship to it. And: have you ever invented a fake swear word to hide the real ones from little ears? One family's secret code was bandoozer–and it almost worked. Plus: what do these words have in common: elver, spat, smolt, and leveret? Also, candle bat, hobbyless, jan-ken-pon and Rochambeau, thick as burgoo, pobbies, urp, Rawhead and Bloody Bones, and That’s it, Fort Pitt.

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.
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