This week on "A Way with Words," tricks and tips for writers: Is there a word you keep having to look up in the dictionary, no matter how many times you've looked it up before? Maybe it's time for a mnemonic device. And: a listener shares a letter from Kurt Vonnegut himself, with some reassuring advice about what to do when the words just won't come. Plus, what does it mean when someone asks if you came in on the noon balloon? Also: bog standard, brumate, Ricky Rescue, Ned in the primer, a horse apiece, Blackacre vs. Whiteacre, childish vs. childlike, do the needful, and Do what?. http://waywordradio.org

Noon Balloon to Rangoon (#1415)

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If you think back on all the words you've looked up in the past year, only to turn around and forget their definitions immediately, Martha’s New Year's resolution sounds like a no-brainer: be a little more mindful, and take care to actually remember the meanings of words like enervate (it's "to drain someone or something of vitality"). http://waywordradio.org

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An Upper Michigan listener with form of dyslexia told us he wrote to Kurt Vonnegut years ago about his frustration with trying to become a published writer. Vonnegut wrote back, assuring that when you care enough about your subject, the right words will come, and you need not worry about spelling—or getting it published. Here's hoping the Kurt Vonnegut Memorial Library gets a copy. http://waywordradio.org

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The Stendhal syndrome is a term used to describe feeling overwhelmed by the beauty of a work of art. The name comes from the French writer Stendhal, who wrote about the dizzying sensation of seeing the art in Florence. It's somewhat similar to the Jerusalem syndrome, where visitors to that city are overtaken with emotion from standing in the same spots as biblical figures. http://waywordradio.org

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A while back, we talked about the teasing nickname Billy Badass, thrown around in the military to refer to someone a little too gung ho. In the firefighting and EMT professions, the equivalent name is Ricky Rescue. http://waywordradio.org

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Quiz Guy John Chaneski has a word game based on the preferences of Mookie the Cow, whose favorite things have names that feature moo sounds. That loose Hawaiian garment, for example. http://waywordradio.org 

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This lesson shows you how to use podcasts to improve your listening skills and understand native speakers more easily! PLUS you'l get my 11 favorite podcasts.

Improve Your English Listening with Podcasts

Episode 05 :  We Learn English,  आओ अंग्रेजी सीखें, primarykamaster, प्राइमरी का मास्टर

Hoy te voy a hablar de la famosa 'doble negación'. ¿Habías oído hablar de ella? Si no es el caso, te cuento:  La doble negación es una estructura que utilizamos mucho en español, es por ejemplo, cuando dices "no tengo nada que hacer" o "no puedo hacer nada" o "no he visto a nadie". Si te fijas estamos negando dos veces. Y lo que en castellano es tan normal, en inglés resulta no serlo.  ¿Quieres saber cómo decir esto en inglés? Las diferentes formas de decirlo y con qué tienes que tener cuidado?  Pues, ¡eso es lo que vamos a abordar este podcast! No te lo pierdas.  Y si quieres ver la transcripción en vídeo de este podcast, puedes verla desde aquí: https://www.ponteahablar.com/the-double-negative/  ***  Today, I am going to talk to you about the famous "double negative". Have you heard of it? In case you haven't, today you are going to learn everything that you need to know about it.  The double negative is a very common expression in Spanish, but unfortunately, we cannot replicate it in English. For you to understand it, an example of it is when, in Spanish, we say things like: "no tengo nada que hacer"&nbsp; or "no puedo hacer nada"&nbsp; or "no he visto a nadie". If you pay attention to these structures, you will notice that we have two negatives (the verb and then nada, nadie, etc.). That's why we call it "a double negative" ;)  Now, would you know how to express that in English? Would you know the different ways of saying it and what to be careful with when using it?  Well, fear not..., this is what I am going to teach you in today's podcast!  Y si quieres presentarte en inglés de manera impecable, no te pierdas esta clase gratuita:&nbsp;https://www.ponteahablar.com/clase/

Do you know the 'double negative' and how to express it in English?

A Way with Words is a fun and funny public radio program about language examined through history, culture, and family. Its mission is to change the way you think about language. The program is heard by broadcast and podcast across the United States and around the world by more than a quarter-million listeners each week. It's produced by Wayword, Inc., a nonprofit whose mission is to promote lifelong learning, better human communication, and the value of a thing well-said or well-written. Call or write with your language questions at any time: (877) 929-9673 (toll-free in the US and Canada) or just email us: words@waywordradio.org.