gistfile1.lisp

(defun number-to-word (number)
  (cond ((string-equal number "12") "twelve")
        (t "what")))

(defun test-it ()
  `(format nil "~a" ,(number-to-word "12")))

(defmacro test-it-m ()
  `(format nil "~a" ,(number-to-word "12")))

...

CL-USER> (test-it)
(FORMAT NIL "~a" "twelve")
CL-USER> (test-it-m)

"twelve"
CL-USER>