It is no secret that I love reading about language and words. I also love listening to people discuss etymology and other fun language facts, so I have been a long-time fan of the radio show A Way with Words, which is where I was first introduced to Martha Barnette. When I saw her book Friends with Words: Adventures in Languageland pop up as a new title on Hoopla, I knew I needed to check it out.
In Friends with Words, Martha Barnette shares personal stories tied to her lifelong love of words and language. Barnette also details the history of the show A Way with Words, explaining its origins, how she joined it, its evolution, and the challenges it’s faced to stay afloat over the years. Interspersed with the memoir aspects are chapters of etymology, exploration of usage of certain terms, and themed word lists – some of which use conversations from callers to A Way with Words as jumping off points.
As a fellow logophile, I found many of the stories relatable. It was also fascinating to learn about the history of A Way with Words and to discover the true Herculean efforts made to keep it alive. However, Barnette remains grateful for the show, as it has introduced her to not just to new words but also to new people and connections.
Other highlights for me included sections on how the planet Pluto got its name, neologisms, and “Plain Old Lovely and Uplifting Words.” Barnette also dives into the influence of mythology and animals in words and names. (Do you know what the name Melissa means?) Plus, she “travels” region-by-region in the U.S. to explore specific terms and phrases that will quickly reveal where someone is from. (When sick, do you “call out” or “call in” for work?)
Friends with Words will appeal to longtime listeners of A Way with Words and makes for a great companion read to Rebel with a Clause. It’s also a solid pick for fans of David Crystal and readers with well-worn copies of Eats, Shoots, and Leaves by Lynn Truss. |
