Word Journeys: An Etymology Podcast

Word Journeys: An Etymology Podcast

Word Journeys is a podcast about etymology and the surprising stories behind the origins of English words. English is constantly evolving and the meanings of words are always shifting. In each episode, we take words united by a common theme and explore how they made their way into English and the historical circumstances which shaped their definitions. For more information or to contact us, visit www.wordjourneyspodcast.com. If you would like to contribute to the show and want to see the perks associated with that, visit our Patreon page at https://www.patreon.com/wordjourneyspodcast.

27 minutes 41 seconds

Episode 15: Homeric Word Journeys

Dallas is joined by Bill Beck to discuss some Homeric etymologies. We take a look at English words which have their origin in character or creature names from the Ancient Greek poems the Iliad and the Odyssey, and explore how and why some minor characters have rich etymological afterlives.

Word List: hector, siren, mentor, pander, stentorian, python, odyssey

For more information or to write in, please visit our website at www.wordjourneyspodcast.com or follow us on twitter at @WordJourneysPod. If you would like to contribute, you can visit our Patreon page at www.patreon.com/wordjourneyspodcast

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

17 June 2019, 1:16 am
25 minutes 36 seconds

Episode 14: Mapping Out The Sky

In this episode all about constellations there are etymologies to your heart’s desire. You’ll find stories involving manuscript errors, learn how celestial navigation works, encounter exotic and fantastical creatures, and learn what selenography is in this episode about English words written in the stars.

Word List: consider, desire, disaster, mazel, arctic, pole, cynosure, zodiac, tropical, zenith, nadir, Beetlejuice

For more information or to write in, please visit our website at www.wordjourneyspodcast.com or follow us on twitter at @WordJourneysPod. If you would like to contribute, you can visit our Patreon page at www.patreon.com/wordjourneyspodcast.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

14 January 2019, 3:35 am
16 minutes 1 second

Episode 13: Holy Oil

In our first holiday episode, we discover the ultimate origin of the word “Christmas,” along with other words originating from religious holy oil. Then, we use the holiday as an excuse to explore many modern “oily” words.

Word List: Christmas, Christ, Christian, cream, Kris Kringle, anoint, ointment, unguent, unctuous, preen, oil, menthol, gasoline, linoleum, aioli, petroleum, vaseline, latke

For more information or to write in, please visit our website at www.wordjourneyspodcast.com or follow us on twitter at @WordJourneysPod. If you would like to contribute, you can visit our Patreon page at www.patreon.com/wordjourneyspodcast.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

17 December 2018, 4:33 am
15 minutes 45 seconds

Episode 12: Land of Black Earth

This episode contains two stories about Egypt. The first involves Egypt’s connection to alchemy, and we explore English words derived from that scientific tradition. The second concerns the Romani people, and words that have come about in attempts to pinpoint their geographical origin.

Word List: Egypt, Coptic, alchemy, chemistry, panacea, elixir, algorithm, algebra, gypsy, bohemian, flamenco

For more information or to contact us, please visit our website at www.wordjourneyspodcast.com or follow us on twitter at @WordJourneysPod. You can also visit our patreon at https://www.patreon.com/wordjourneyspodcast.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

20 November 2018, 1:00 pm
16 minutes 19 seconds

Episode 11: You Have Syphilis - Take a Pamphlet!

We look into the unique history of the word “syphilis” and trace its origin to a character in a Renaissance poem (involving parrots and Atlantis!). Plus, a story about how a comic lover led to an important word in the history of printing.

Word List: syphilis, venereal, pamphlet

For more information or to contact us, please visit our website at www.wordjourneyspodcast.com or follow us on twitter at @WordJourneysPod. You can also visit our patreon at https://www.patreon.com/wordjourneyspodcast.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

20 November 2018, 12:57 pm
1 hour 5 minutes

Episode 10: Jewish Onomastics

In the final episode of season one, Dallas is joined by Ruben Post to discuss Jewish names and naming practices in various times and places, ranging from the Hellenistic Period to the Holy Roman Empire and all the way up to Zionist movement. We discuss many etymologies, translations, and calques, and dive into the specific historical moments which generated many Jewish surnames that are prevalent today. For more information, visit www.wordjourneyspodcast.com. To contribute or to order etymological trivia questions, visit https://www.patreon.com/wordjourneyspodcast. You can stay informed by following us on Twitter @WordJourneysPod or by subscribing on your favorite podcast app!
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

24 July 2018, 12:56 am
19 minutes 3 seconds

Episode 9: Two Birds with One Brick

We discuss how two bird calls became incorporated into Latin as bird names, which then led to many interesting English derivatives. Plus, we discuss onomatopoeia, talking birds, and a word derived from ancient Egyptian. Word List: jay, cajole, gazette, popinjay, parrot, parakeet, dupe, gullible, adobe. For more information or to contact us, please visit our website at www.wordjourneyspodcast.com or follow us on twitter at @WordJourneysPod
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

2 July 2018, 12:46 am
18 minutes 48 seconds

Episode 8: An Episode About Nothing

We discuss the word “zero” - its origin, its importance, and some other English words that mean “zero” (with a Game of Thrones reference!). Word List: zero, cipher, null, naught, nix, naughty, aught, wight, tariff. For more information or to contact us, please visit our website at www.wordjourneyspodcast.com or email us at [email protected].
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

28 May 2018, 3:45 am
18 minutes 43 seconds

Episode 7: A Study in Scarlet

We dive into the etymology for certain shades of red and discuss the common element that unites them all. It turns out to be an important and long-standing element of global trade, appearing in many places and influencing many different languages. For more information or to contact us, please visit our website at www.wordjourneyspodcast.com. Word List: cinnabar, kermes, crimson, cocoon, vermilion, scarlet, cochineal, ingrained, hopscotch.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

7 May 2018, 3:35 am
18 minutes 31 seconds

Episode 6: Horse Hodgepodge

We look at the legacy of Latin words for horses and cows, and how the evolving use of these animals over time led to new societal roles and new words. Plus, we discuss Vulgar Latin and a special kind of cowboy. Word List: vulgar, chivalry, cavalry, cavalier, palfrey, zebra, hippopotamus, vaccine, hackamore, cowboy, buckaroo, bronco, mustang, chaps, paniolo. For a list of sources or to contact us, visit www.wordjourneyspodcast.com.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

16 April 2018, 2:58 am
18 minutes 22 seconds

Episode 5: And a Bottle of Rum!

A look at different theories for the origin of the word “rum,” which takes us to Britain, Southeast Asia, and the Caribbean. Plus, an etymology originating with rum production in Alaska. Word List: rum, taffy, toffee, hooch, proof, groggy. For more information or for a list of sources, visit www.wordjourneyspodcast.com.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

21 March 2018, 12:00 am
More Episodes? Get the App

About Word Journeys: An Etymology Podcast

Links

Listeners Also Subscribed To

Your feedback is valuable to us. Should you encounter any bugs, glitches, lack of functionality or other problems, please email us on [email protected] or join Moon.FM Telegram Group where you can talk directly to the dev team who are happy to answer any queries.