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Friends with Words: Adventures in Languageland
With warmth, a popular radio and podcast host shares her love of language, weaving together linguistic history, regional phrases, the hidden poetry in etymologies, new words, and stories from her life and time on the air
Martha Barnette has spent two decades as the co-host of A Way with Words, lauded by Mary Norris in The New Yorker as “a virtual treasure house” and “‘Car Talk’ for Lexiphiles.” Over that time, she’s developed a keen sense of what fascinates people about language. They are curious about etymology and revel in slang, are surprised by regional vocabulary and celebrate linguistic diversity. Idioms both puzzle and delight word lovers, and they are eager to share family neologisms and that weird phrase Grandma always used to say.
In Friends with Words, Barnette weaves together all these strands in a clear, informative, highly entertaining exploration of language. Chock-full of anecdotes, humorous asides, new words, trivia, and other lexicological delights, Friends with Words also tells Barnette’s story—from her Appalachian roots through her study of Ancient Greek, and on to the making of a beloved and enduring show. Friends with Words is an expert, good-humored, joyful book.
Martha Barnette has spent two decades as the co-host of A Way with Words, lauded by Mary Norris in The New Yorker as “a virtual treasure house” and “‘Car Talk’ for Lexiphiles.” Over that time, she’s developed a keen sense of what fascinates people about language. They are curious about etymology and revel in slang, are surprised by regional vocabulary and celebrate linguistic diversity. Idioms both puzzle and delight word lovers, and they are eager to share family neologisms and that weird phrase Grandma always used to say.
In Friends with Words, Barnette weaves together all these strands in a clear, informative, highly entertaining exploration of language. Chock-full of anecdotes, humorous asides, new words, trivia, and other lexicological delights, Friends with Words also tells Barnette’s story—from her Appalachian roots through her study of Ancient Greek, and on to the making of a beloved and enduring show. Friends with Words is an expert, good-humored, joyful book.
320 pages, Hardcover
First published August 5, 2025
45 people are currently reading
517 people want to read
About the author
Martha Barnette
7 books13 followersI’ve cohosted “A Way with Words,” the public radio show and podcast about words and how we use them, for 21 years now! My new book Friends with Words is a warm, witty memoir about the joys of language and the power of words to connect us.
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Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews
August 13, 2025
There’s a certain fondness—maybe even reverence—I’ve had toward etymology for some time now. Maybe it’s studying theology that has repeatedly stapled Greek and Latin terms into my lexicon, or the way I’ve watched those words evolve into common English with a beautiful ancestry. Maybe it’s that little twinkle in my eye when I get to share a fun fact or two about where my friends’ words came from—and in pursuit of that insatiable buzz, I keep wanting to explore the world of words. Whatever the source, it was more than mere admiration that kept me turning the pages. Barnette weaves poetry, history, biology, geography, etymology, into a memoir that resembles a seamless tapestry of entertainment and edification. Reading this book was like a euphoric stroll through a botanical garden alongside your grandma’s best friend—as she tells you about the flowers, mentors, and lessons that shaped her. I’ve never read a book that has done so much, so beautifully. Almost like grandma’s friend has a PhD and ADHD—if that makes sense. In an effort to sound pretentious: this book was a gift for my delectation. This is an easy recommendation to polyglots, lexiphiles, and other word nerds. Book was so good, I started listening to her podcast.
Want to read
August 9, 2025Book excerpt here, on Proto-Indo-European origins of language:
https://lithub.com/on-the-particular-...
Interesting stuff, worth reading.
https://lithub.com/on-the-particular-...
Interesting stuff, worth reading.
May 24, 2025
I am a big word nerd, so I loved this one! I loved how Barnette interweaved fun facts and curiosities with memories of her own life. I was particularly affected by her relationship with her Greek teacher and how it shaped her. Barnette's voice is delightful, and I'm glad I'll have this to refer to when I forget the word for a unique concept or item.
August 9, 2025
Delight and joy. Joy and delight. Two sentiments that the world is all too short on these days and all too abundant in this lovely, sweet, and moving memoir. Martha's genuine delight in the richness of language and words shines through from every page and fellow word-lovers (worders) will find themselves in the warmest of company. Despite being a loyal listener of AWWW for more than 10 years, I learned new words, new origin stories ("some bakery" isn't universal?!), and more about the person behind the voice--and heart and soul--of the show.
Martha, and this book, are the companion that you want on a road trip, a stroll around town, or a hike in the woods--in any "thin place," for that matter. I truly loved this ride and look forward to more stories, anecdotes, and discoveries in the show and in anything else she puts down to paper. Martha Barnette is a national treasure--and I'm sure that all worders, and that dancing Doberman, would agree.
Martha, and this book, are the companion that you want on a road trip, a stroll around town, or a hike in the woods--in any "thin place," for that matter. I truly loved this ride and look forward to more stories, anecdotes, and discoveries in the show and in anything else she puts down to paper. Martha Barnette is a national treasure--and I'm sure that all worders, and that dancing Doberman, would agree.
August 9, 2025
My formal training in etymology unfortunately made it so that I was not the right audience for this book. However, I wish it had been published sooner so that I could have assigned some excerpts to my students! We covered many similar things (mondegreens/metanalysis/Greek and Latin roots) that would have made this a fun addition.
This book is kind of similar to The Etymologicon, but with the addition of biographical chapters, and also a less self-conscious sort of humor.
Overall, it’s a fun read with a lot of information thrown at you. I would recommend for someone very interested in etymology but no background!
Thank you to NetGalley and Abrams for the ARC.
This book is kind of similar to The Etymologicon, but with the addition of biographical chapters, and also a less self-conscious sort of humor.
Overall, it’s a fun read with a lot of information thrown at you. I would recommend for someone very interested in etymology but no background!
Thank you to NetGalley and Abrams for the ARC.
August 29, 2025
The perfect book for my fellow word nerds and anyone who wonders why we have very specific ways of describing things and events.
Ms. Barnette has a colorful history with words: reporting, writing, studying Greek, and co-hosting the popular “Friends with Words” public radio show that is now a podcast. She also takes us on a virtual road trip, sharing terminology specific to each US state. There are puns, insults, very long German words, and fun descriptions of common issues and problems. The narration is lively. My only caveat is that as an audiobook listener it is not always possible to know if she is talking about a word spelled mete or meat, or how many of the longer and foreign sounding words are spelled at all. My best advice is to have both the audiobook and a printed or ebook copy for reference!
I enjoyed this very much and recommend it to people who like words or like thinking about how language and usage evolves.
My thanks to the author, publisher, @DreamscapeMedia, and #NetGalley for access to the audiobooik #FriendswithWords for review purposes.
Ms. Barnette has a colorful history with words: reporting, writing, studying Greek, and co-hosting the popular “Friends with Words” public radio show that is now a podcast. She also takes us on a virtual road trip, sharing terminology specific to each US state. There are puns, insults, very long German words, and fun descriptions of common issues and problems. The narration is lively. My only caveat is that as an audiobook listener it is not always possible to know if she is talking about a word spelled mete or meat, or how many of the longer and foreign sounding words are spelled at all. My best advice is to have both the audiobook and a printed or ebook copy for reference!
I enjoyed this very much and recommend it to people who like words or like thinking about how language and usage evolves.
My thanks to the author, publisher, @DreamscapeMedia, and #NetGalley for access to the audiobooik #FriendswithWords for review purposes.
August 21, 2025
Caveat: I've never heard of the podcast or this author. This book was a gift! I think if I knew the podcast or the author, I'd probably be more enthused? But as it was, it was a fun book, interesting tidbits about working in publishing and radio, of course fun word origin trivia.
Tangent: I've noticed word origin trivia often focuses on "classical" roots. There wasn't much mention of the Germanic or Scandinavian influences on English. And I've also noticed that a lot of times when "technically" there "is" a "word" for something, it is really convoluted. So like it's cool but also... like most trivia... trivial?
That said, still very enjoyable! I read it in just a few days, it's breezy and engaging. I want to read one of her other books about a specific subject (animal word etymologies, yessss), and I love that she was able to turn her passion about words and history and whatnot into a successful career.
Tangent: I've noticed word origin trivia often focuses on "classical" roots. There wasn't much mention of the Germanic or Scandinavian influences on English. And I've also noticed that a lot of times when "technically" there "is" a "word" for something, it is really convoluted. So like it's cool but also... like most trivia... trivial?
That said, still very enjoyable! I read it in just a few days, it's breezy and engaging. I want to read one of her other books about a specific subject (animal word etymologies, yessss), and I love that she was able to turn her passion about words and history and whatnot into a successful career.
August 19, 2025
Grab your warm bread and cow cheese, aka butter, and get ready to tuck in to this funny conversation.
Brimming with fun phrases and witty sidebars, Martha Barnette takes us on a journey pairing her own meandering journey with words to the snapshot findings of a Worder Wagon, capturing unique phrases across the US in the 1965-1970s. The first half of the book reads much like the conversations Barnette described having with her Ancient Greek instructor: breaking words down one at a time, tying the meanings to different languages, and basking in awe of how language changes and reshapes over time.
The lyrical audiobook kept me engaged for hours as I, in perfect infoswine form, gobbled up unique words to add to my word hoard. The various anecdotes were lively and memorable, small enough to be recanted later at a dinner party, much to the joy of all attending.
Although there were far too many words and phrases to adopt all for daily use, I took great pleasure in hearing the wild stories behind each and every one.
Thank you to NetGalley and Dreamscape Media for providing this ARC-audiobook. All opinions, as always, are my own.
Brimming with fun phrases and witty sidebars, Martha Barnette takes us on a journey pairing her own meandering journey with words to the snapshot findings of a Worder Wagon, capturing unique phrases across the US in the 1965-1970s. The first half of the book reads much like the conversations Barnette described having with her Ancient Greek instructor: breaking words down one at a time, tying the meanings to different languages, and basking in awe of how language changes and reshapes over time.
The lyrical audiobook kept me engaged for hours as I, in perfect infoswine form, gobbled up unique words to add to my word hoard. The various anecdotes were lively and memorable, small enough to be recanted later at a dinner party, much to the joy of all attending.
Although there were far too many words and phrases to adopt all for daily use, I took great pleasure in hearing the wild stories behind each and every one.
Thank you to NetGalley and Dreamscape Media for providing this ARC-audiobook. All opinions, as always, are my own.
August 26, 2025
I’d never listened to Martha Barnette’s radio show, A Way With Words, before picking up this book, but I enjoyed Friends With Words, particularly on audiobook. Barnette blends the etymology, idioms and regional vocabulary — my favorite — along with personal stories from her life.
Thank you to #NetGalley and Dreamscape Media for an advanced reader copy of #FriendsWithWords!
Thank you to #NetGalley and Dreamscape Media for an advanced reader copy of #FriendsWithWords!
August 19, 2025
Thank you Dreamscape Media and NetGalley for the advanced electronic audio review copy of this informative book. I enjoy etymology books and this one didn’t disappoint. Written in a fun, easy to understand way, this book reads more like a story than the reference, which makes it a pleasure to read. I definitely recommend this book to any word lover out there.
This is a review of the audiobook.
This is a review of the audiobook.
Read
May 1, 2025This book is every bit as clever, entertaining, and accessible as the author’s NPR radio show. I’d highly recommend the book for wordies, especially those of us who read style and usage guides for fun.
June 7, 2025
My thanks to NetGalley and Abrams Press for an advance copy of this book that is both education of a word loving person, and a look at the fascinating world of words, their meanings, the pasts and how language is adapting to our different and seemingly difficult future.
My father had few claims to fame, but the one he was proudest of was spelling the word 'antidisestablishmentarianism' in a Catholic school spelling bee. My father always said the proctor wasn't paying that much attention, and to him it sounded right. My mom is first reader to her deceased best friend's daughter who writes a fairly popular romantasy series, catching mistakes, grammar, and probably being surprised at what appears in the book. My brother makes his living with words, and I make my living by selling them. So language has always been important to us. Either as puns, private jokes, impressing each other, or just sheer amazement at where words can take us. Every book I read I still use a file card to write down quotes I enjoy, good ideas to acquire more information on, and of course words I never knew. This book was the perfect read to me. A book where I felt like meeting an old friend, catching up on their adventures, and learning a whole lot of new words. Friends with Words: Adventures in Languageland by word-lover, radio and podcast host, and generally cool person to hang around with, Martha Barnette is a an exploration of a life in words, from humble beginnings, to hosting radio shows, with a look at where language has come from, how we adapted it, and more importantly where it might be going.
Martha Barnette grew up with two parents who loved language and more importantly loved her and the people around them. Barnette leaned the power of language, from her father's writings on religion, from her mother, and from her own interest. A class in school, which was all Greek to her, made her seek out a tutor, who turned into a mentor. The teacher was a polyglot of language lore, not only teaching the word, but its origins, who other languages absobed it, and how it changed. This teacher changed Barnette in many ways, opening up langauage in ways she had never thought. Barnette soon invested more time and effort learning about words, word origins, both around the world, and in her own back yard of Appalachia, and the other regions of the United States. Soon there was a radio show, one that became popular enough to survive some tough times.
A book that gave me far more than I expected, and one I really enjoyed. The biographical information was well told, touching in many parts, and one can't help saying a "You go girl" under one's breath, depending if one is reading in a semi-crowded break room. Along with this is lots and lots of words, their origins, their pasts, and how different regions use different words for the same thing. This is the stuff I found really fascinating, and one that I am sure drove people nuts as I kept talking about. I forget even as I read so much how much I find words fascinating, and something that Barnette does not mind sharing. The writing is very good, a sort of hey this is kind of cool writing, with lots of information, but presented in a way not to whelm or overwhelm in anyway. The personal information is also well written, touching in quite a few spots.
A great book for burgeoning logophiles, writers and for people who just love information. The writing is very good, and it is always nice to read about people who find what they love, and make a living at it. A informative and well-told story. I look forward to more books by Barnette.
My father had few claims to fame, but the one he was proudest of was spelling the word 'antidisestablishmentarianism' in a Catholic school spelling bee. My father always said the proctor wasn't paying that much attention, and to him it sounded right. My mom is first reader to her deceased best friend's daughter who writes a fairly popular romantasy series, catching mistakes, grammar, and probably being surprised at what appears in the book. My brother makes his living with words, and I make my living by selling them. So language has always been important to us. Either as puns, private jokes, impressing each other, or just sheer amazement at where words can take us. Every book I read I still use a file card to write down quotes I enjoy, good ideas to acquire more information on, and of course words I never knew. This book was the perfect read to me. A book where I felt like meeting an old friend, catching up on their adventures, and learning a whole lot of new words. Friends with Words: Adventures in Languageland by word-lover, radio and podcast host, and generally cool person to hang around with, Martha Barnette is a an exploration of a life in words, from humble beginnings, to hosting radio shows, with a look at where language has come from, how we adapted it, and more importantly where it might be going.
Martha Barnette grew up with two parents who loved language and more importantly loved her and the people around them. Barnette leaned the power of language, from her father's writings on religion, from her mother, and from her own interest. A class in school, which was all Greek to her, made her seek out a tutor, who turned into a mentor. The teacher was a polyglot of language lore, not only teaching the word, but its origins, who other languages absobed it, and how it changed. This teacher changed Barnette in many ways, opening up langauage in ways she had never thought. Barnette soon invested more time and effort learning about words, word origins, both around the world, and in her own back yard of Appalachia, and the other regions of the United States. Soon there was a radio show, one that became popular enough to survive some tough times.
A book that gave me far more than I expected, and one I really enjoyed. The biographical information was well told, touching in many parts, and one can't help saying a "You go girl" under one's breath, depending if one is reading in a semi-crowded break room. Along with this is lots and lots of words, their origins, their pasts, and how different regions use different words for the same thing. This is the stuff I found really fascinating, and one that I am sure drove people nuts as I kept talking about. I forget even as I read so much how much I find words fascinating, and something that Barnette does not mind sharing. The writing is very good, a sort of hey this is kind of cool writing, with lots of information, but presented in a way not to whelm or overwhelm in anyway. The personal information is also well written, touching in quite a few spots.
A great book for burgeoning logophiles, writers and for people who just love information. The writing is very good, and it is always nice to read about people who find what they love, and make a living at it. A informative and well-told story. I look forward to more books by Barnette.
August 20, 2025
Martha Barnette was failing a Greek course, so she looked for a tutor. He was a fascinating character who taught her about etymology and how languages are alive. He made it dynamic and entertaining and Barnette strives to do the same with her radio program (eventually a podcast). Friends with Words is a fun way to learn. Sometimes she keeps following one idea after another, combining languages, history and culture. Audio may not be the best format for this, as I wasn’t sure of the spelling of some words, but you can’t beat a narration by the author, so a quick Google search fixed that problem. Barnette takes a trip around the US exploring local sayings and expressions, she digs into the mythological figures behind the names of the planets, months, days of the week and even regular words and sayings. A few chapters were more of a personal memoir, which was interesting but not really why I was reading this. Funny, smart and educational, this is a great book for word nerds.
I chose to listen to this audiobook and all opinions in this review are my own and completely unbiased. Thank you, NetGalley/Dreamscape Media.
I chose to listen to this audiobook and all opinions in this review are my own and completely unbiased. Thank you, NetGalley/Dreamscape Media.
August 20, 2025
My favorite part of this book was the beginning, in which the author hires an elderly professor to teach her classic Greek, and a unique friendship (and a lot of homemade bread) ensues. The author's personal stories are interspersed with the language chapters.
Word nerds will appreciate this book. Barry Manilow fans may not. I don’t think the slight was intentional, but a story that asserts that wearing a Barry Manilow t-shirt would be embarrassing for the average college student does not paint a flattering portrait of a Grammy, Emmy, and Tony award winner who still provides a peerless concert experience at the age of 82. I would have worn the t-shirt without a second thought or a scintilla of embarrassment, and likely asked the researchers if I could keep it after their little experiment was over. So there.
I wasn’t too surprised to hear the author worked with Richard Lederer, a name familiar to language lovers. I was very surprised when she mentioned Greg Pliska, who I’m familiar with from his job as Chief Puzzle Officer of The Puzzler podcast, which every word nerd and/or puzzle fan should be listening to.
August 31, 2025
ARC Review
*Friends with Words* by Martha Barnette turned out to be such an entertaining and surprisingly cozy listen. Martha Barnette weaves together etymology, slang, regional dialects, and personal stories in a way that feels both informative and fun. You can really hear her passion for language in her narration, which made the audiobook a joy to follow.
What I especially enjoyed was how she connected words to lived experience—it wasn’t just about definitions, but about how language carries culture, humor, and even emotion across time. It reminded me that words are living things, constantly shifting and reflecting the world around us.
My one tip: if you can, have both the audiobook and a print or ebook copy. There are so many fascinating tidbits, turns of phrase, and little stories that you’ll probably want to highlight or flip back to.
Overall, I really enjoyed my time with this book. It’s the kind of read that makes you pay closer attention to the words you use every day. Highly recommended for anyone who loves language, enjoys wordplay, or just likes learning the quirky histories behind how we speak.
*Friends with Words* by Martha Barnette turned out to be such an entertaining and surprisingly cozy listen. Martha Barnette weaves together etymology, slang, regional dialects, and personal stories in a way that feels both informative and fun. You can really hear her passion for language in her narration, which made the audiobook a joy to follow.
What I especially enjoyed was how she connected words to lived experience—it wasn’t just about definitions, but about how language carries culture, humor, and even emotion across time. It reminded me that words are living things, constantly shifting and reflecting the world around us.
My one tip: if you can, have both the audiobook and a print or ebook copy. There are so many fascinating tidbits, turns of phrase, and little stories that you’ll probably want to highlight or flip back to.
Overall, I really enjoyed my time with this book. It’s the kind of read that makes you pay closer attention to the words you use every day. Highly recommended for anyone who loves language, enjoys wordplay, or just likes learning the quirky histories behind how we speak.
August 26, 2025
This is a wonderful book full of great words and etymologies for all the Wordies in the world. Martha Barnette is also one of the hosts of the podcast "A Way With Words". In this book she introduces the reader to many useful words such as chatoyant - to shimmer like a cat's eyes- and footercooter meaning to waste time. She covers a broad range of linguistic topics such as contranyms, Proto-Indo-European roots, the Grimms brothers and the great vowel shift, and lots of examples of how language is unique in different states. You will learn how there is a sword in gladiolas and a crane in geraniums. She introduces the reader to a plethora of fun and useful words and sayings such as The Abilene Paradox, a cardboard dog and skeuomorph. One of my favorites is that swink means to work really hard and you are forswunk if you are totally worn out from work. If you love words and language you will love this book.
May 6, 2025
I loved this book. As a co-host of a radio show and podcast about words, Barnette has more than a wealth of material for a book on etymology. I loved the author’s journey and the inside stories of radio. Barnette tells stories about words and therefore the book reads more like a novel than merely like a dictionary. There were several laugh-out-loud moments which made the book an absolute pleasure to read. Thank you to Edelweiss and Abrams Press for the advance reader copy.
August 24, 2025
Thank you NetGalley and Dreamscape Media for the advanced audiobook in exchange for my honest review.
This is an amazing book for all language nerds out there! Martha Barnette goes into details of roots of many words and phrases and calls out many words that are similar in multiple languages. She talks about how sounds change when they reach new countries and she makes it all so accessible for all type of readers.
This is an amazing book for all language nerds out there! Martha Barnette goes into details of roots of many words and phrases and calls out many words that are similar in multiple languages. She talks about how sounds change when they reach new countries and she makes it all so accessible for all type of readers.
September 7, 2025
Friends with Words is a lively romp through the brain of Martha Barnette. A mix of memoir and wordy stuff, it is accessible, personal, and funny! I've been a fan of Martha's radio show and podcast A Way with Words for decades, and Friends with Words presents a deep dive into the life experiences that inform her love (and obsession with) language. It is simply a delightful read for anyone who cares about language (or Martha Barnette).
September 9, 2025
What a fantastic book to 'hear' for my first audiobook! Martha has a very soothing voice, definitely helped by her radio and podcasting experience. I loved the narrative and storytelling of the book, she paints a very rich picture with her words. Also fun were the sections of unusual words and phrases! Would recommend this book to anyone who likes language and finds it fascinating (even if they don't, cause this will chnage them!)
September 10, 2025
This friend has a lot of words. Barnette is clearly obsessed with lingo. This is one half whimsical journey through a random spattering of vocab and one half memoir. The one inspires the other. Or is it the other way around? We have the pleasure of the author's narration in the audiobook, too.
Thank you to NetGalley and Dreamscape Media for the advance copy of the audiobook.
Thank you to NetGalley and Dreamscape Media for the advance copy of the audiobook.
September 8, 2025
Light and fun, perfect for fans of the show. I liked the memoir parts just as much as the word talk. I particularly liked seeing one of my favorite Southern grammatical constructions: might could.
September 11, 2025
Such a fun read! Even if the term “word nerd” brings back traumatic memories. IYKYK
September 1, 2025
How am I not already familiar with Martha Barnette? She's Friends with Words, and I feel like she's now my friend, too. I don't listen to many podcasts anymore because I'm too busy listening to books, but I feel like I'm going to make an exception for hers. This was a delight from start to finish and I'm so glad she found her narrator voice so that I got to listen to it.
Thank you to NetGalley for providing an audio ARC.
Thank you to NetGalley for providing an audio ARC.
August 28, 2025
This entertaining, funny, and informative book explores many fascinating aspects of language, such as etymology, slang, and regional dialects. The author shares anecdotes and personal experiences from her linguistic journey. I enjoyed the audiobook narration.
Thanks, NetGalley, for the ARC I received. This is my honest and voluntary review.
Thanks, NetGalley, for the ARC I received. This is my honest and voluntary review.
Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews