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Word History is a weekly 15 minute etymology podcast by Etymoleon, dedicated to uncovering the history behind words and names. Each episode unveils the journey of words and their connections to various languages such as Old English, Ancient Greek, Latin, Old French, Proto-Germanic and many more. Episodes also highlight historical events related to the topic and terms explored. New episodes every Sunday. If you like etymology try Derivety, a daily word game by Etymoleon. Can you guess the wor ...
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The study of the origin of words of Hindi, Sanskrit & other languages and the way in which their meanings have changed throughout history which has enhanced the knowledge of the society & brings out the broader version of the culture. We here provide you our listener with in-depth knowledge. This show will release episodes weekly in both Hindi & English alternatively. Hindi By Mrs. Gayitri Chhibber English By Puranjay Savar Mattas *DISCLAIMER* The English episodes are transcriptions of the H ...
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This time, we're hitting all the right notes as we explore the origins and meanings of names through the lens of female singers. Shania Twain, Celine Dion and Alanis Morissette share a distant relative, but only one of them carries a version of his surname. Kylie became a popular name in Australia, inspired by an Indigenous Australian word for a bo…
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In this episode, we dig deep into the grave origins of words related to death. The term eulogy comes from ancient Greek and etymologically translates to 'good words' while euthanasia means 'good death'. An executor ensures that the wishes in a will are fulfilled, deriving from a Latin word meaning 'to follow', which also gives us the word sequence.…
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This episode takes a look at the origins of autumn/fall related terms, from harvest and foliage to Halloween and the months September, October and November. Find out why the school year starts in September, when fireworks became an autumn tradition, and what was originally burned in bonfires. We also explore the autumnal colours of ochre, amber and…
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This episode traces the origins of soft drinks, many of which began life marketed as health remedies. We start with Joseph Priestley's discovery, which was crucial to the production of carbonated drinks. Learn how Coca-Cola got its name from its historic ingredients, and how Red Bull is a translation of a Thai beverage. The term seltzer traces back…
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This episode unlaces the origins of terms for different types of footwear. Plimsolls owe their name to a British politician, while sneakers got theirs from the idea of wearers sneaking around unnoticed. Persian soldiers inspired European nobles to adopt high heels, which were practical for standing in stirrups; the term stiletto, referring to a lon…
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This episode explores the origins and meanings of names beginning with D. Dorothy shares its etymology with Theodore, both names implying their bearers are 'God's gift'. The surname Dior as seen in the brand Christian Dior, traces back to a French word that also gives us the 'D'Or' in the British ice cream brand Carte D'Or. Find out how names synon…
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In this episode, we get into the language of ageing, uncovering the surprising origins and histories behind words like geriatric, sage, pensioner and senior - a term originally used to distinguish fathers from their sons before taking on additional meanings. We also explore the darker side of language, revealing the connection between the word 'cro…
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This podcast returns in September. In the meantime, take a listen to this recap featuring a mix of clips from past episodes. Remember to leave a rating or review.Av Leon Bailey-Green
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This podcast returns in September. In the meantime, take a listen to this recap featuring a mix of clips from past episodes. Remember to leave a rating or review.Av Leon Bailey-Green
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This podcast returns in September. In the meantime, take a listen to this recap featuring a mix of clips from past episodes. Remember to leave a rating or review.Av Leon Bailey-Green
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continue reading
This podcast is celebrating its first anniversary, thank you for listening and subscribing. In this episode, we explore the etymology of expressions of gratitude, tracing the origins of words like thanks, grateful, blessed and applaud. Clapping is a common gesture of appreciation, but the word clap also has a secondary meaning related to infection.…
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This episode gets into the origins of musical instrument names, from the guitar and ukulele to the harmonica, saxophone, drum and more. Learn how the saxophone got its name from its inventor, whose surname, Sax, is locational, tracing to Saxony. The Theremin is another instrument named after its creator. Discover Benjamin Franklin's surprising conn…
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This episode uncovers etymology related to the pharmaceutical industry. Learn how Ozempic and Tylenol got their names, as well as pharmaceutical giants like Roche and Pfizer. Pfizer, for instance, is an occupational surname rooted in a Latin word meaning "baker". Find out how a male enhancement drug might be named after a Sanskrit word meaning "tig…
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In this episode, we uncover the origins of words related to the summer season, such as sweltering, holiday, barbecue and scorching. Learn about the dahlia, a flower of the British summer season, named after Swedish botanist Anders Dahl, who shares a surname with the famous author Roald Dahl. The name means "valley" with the English variant being "d…
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This episode explores the origins and meanings of names popular with royalty. Discover why the nickname of a 10th century Nordic king lives on in the 20th century technology term Bluetooth. Learn how the name Harry, a pet form of Henry, traces back to the French pronunciation during the Middle English period. We also look into the ancient Greek roo…
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This episode gets into the origins of sleep-related terminology. Starting with how synonyms for sleep such as rest, nap, slumber and ZZZs entered the English language, we explain a theory as to why it's "forty winks" instead of twenty, thirty or fifty. Learn why the Old English word for snore is connected to rooting for someone to win, and why Aust…
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In this episode, we explore the stories behind the names of some of the world's most iconic landmarks and the etymology of the words used. We examine Big Ben, the Statue of Liberty, the Eiffel Tower, the Leaning Tower of Pisa, the Gherkin, Burj Khalifa and more. Also uncovered are the origins and meanings of the names of architects associated with …
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This time we're looking into the origins of global corporations, exploring the etymology of their brand names and uncovering snippets of their histories. Some corporate names are derived from everyday words (Microsoft, Apple, Shell) and others from their founders' names (Audi, JP Morgan, Toyota). Learn why a payment provider's name also means trave…
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In this episode we're taking a look at hair terminology, including the etymology behind diverse synonyms for hair, including dreads, mane and tresses. Learn about intriguing connections such as the association between the term "alopecia" and foxes, and the link between pomades and apples. Ever wondered about the origins of the word "shampoo" or the…
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This episode uncovers various theories behind why and how we use certain non-verbal gestures to communicate, along with the origins of the terms that describe them. Discover the surprising history behind gestures like the high-five, said to be popularised by American baseball, and elbow touching, first suggested by the World Health Organization in …
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This time we're looking into furniture terminology, from the interchangeably used couch, sofa and settee to futon and hammock, which derive from the languages of their origin. Learn why the history of the dining room sideboard, known as the credenza, is rooted in the fear of food poisoning, and trace the origins of the word chair back to its Ancien…
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This episode explores the origins and meanings of names beginning with the letter C. Discover surprising connections between the name Charles and the term churlish, both rooted in a Germanic language word. Uncover how a Latin word meaning "hairless" influenced terms like Calvinism and chauvinist, named after historical figures. Explore the origin o…
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In this episode, we get into the history of the Full English Breakfast, a dish that took shape around the 18th century. Explore the etymological origins of its essential components such as sausages, eggs, bacon, black pudding and baked beans. Uncover the intriguing story of why tomatoes were once known as 'love apples'. Additionally, discover the c…
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In this episode, we delve into the world of phobias, uncovering the etymological origins behind words associated with deep-seated fears. Explore the roots of well-known phobias like arachnophobia, acrophobia and claustrophobia, as well as the lesser-known oenophobia, the fear of wine. Additionally, we explore the linguistic origins of glossophobia,…
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In this episode, we explore the evolution of family member terminology, unravelling the origins of words such as mother, brother, nephew and cousin in English. Many of these familial designations have undergone significant changes over time; for instance, the term "niece" once referred to a granddaughter. Discover when terms like "co-parent", "glam…
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This time, we're delving into the origins of famous cocktail drinks and uncovering the intriguing stories behind their names. The Bloody Mary, for instance, is rumoured to be named after a theatre production, while the name Mai Tai is thought to translate to 'good' or 'best'. The term "cocktail" itself has a mysterious origin, with some speculating…
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This episode looks at words of the spring season. The month of March is named after the Roman god of war Mars, and the month of May was once known as 'the month of three milks'. As for the term 'spring clean', various theories exist to explain why this season is so connected to tidying. Delve into the etymological roots of springtime British vegeta…
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This episode uncovers the linguistic roots behind words associated with pregnancy and childbirth. For some generations the word pregnant is considered taboo which is why phrases like 'with child' and 'in the family way' emerged. Discover how the placenta's name harks back to an ancient cake, and how the umbilical cord derives its name from the Lati…
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In this episode, we delve into the meanings and etymology of names commencing with the letter 'B'. Unravel the intriguing connections as Barbara's roots intertwine with the word 'barbarian', and find out why Bridget is responsible for the term 'old biddy'. Despite their similar sound, Brendan and Brenda boast distinct etymological origins. Addition…
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This episode delves into the origins of sports names, embarking on a journey that begins with the intertwined history of Football, Rugby and Soccer. Explore the linguistic roots behind the names of sports like Pickleball, Tennis and Golf. The equestrian sport of Polo, brought to England by tea planters returning from India, finds its origins in Per…
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This episode delves into the intricate world of stereotypes, uncovering the historical evolution of names such as Karen, Keisha and Chad. Gain an understanding of the stereotypes associated with these names and explore their origins. Trace the linguistic journeys that introduced terms like prejudice, bias and stereotype into the English language. A…
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This time we're exploring the language of fine dining. Unravel the linguistic origins behind terms such as "foie gras", where "gras" means fat and traces back to a Latin word which is also the root of the word "grease". Discover the etymology of words like "restaurant", "a la carte", "flambé", and "sous vide", and delve into the link between Michel…
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This episode investigates the history of words associated with love and romance. Delve into the theory surrounding the inception of Valentine's Day and uncover the connection between the term 'darling' and the concept of being expensive. Explore the reason why red roses are linked to love, and unravel theories behind the term 'French kiss' for an i…
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In this episode, we explore the intriguing correlation between people's names and their professions. Usain Bolt, the Jamaican sprinter renowned for his speed, aptly carries the surname "Bolt". Weather presenters Amy Freeze and Sara Blizzard have last names that embody the essence of their forecasts, while the founder of a major financial company ap…
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This time we're looking at the etymological origins of business terms, from the Ancient Greek origins of the words monopoly and duopoly, to the words describing the leader of a business such as 'entrepreneur', 'founder', 'director' and 'boss'. This episode also strips back the word 'company' to the root Latin word for bread and explores the name an…
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This time, indulge in a delectable episode tracing the name roots of chocolate bars beloved in Britain and America. Discover the fascinating history behind these confectionery delights, learning when they first graced shelves. The Snickers is named after a Mars family horse and its former UK name has ties to a vegetable. This episode also delves in…
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This episode peels back the layers of criminal language, exposing the etymology behind words linked to true crime. Journey through the linguistic roots of terms like detective, suspect, forensic and motive. The word landscape of taking without permission is explored with words like loot, shoplifting, theft and burglary, as are words of mortality li…
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This time we're diving into positivity, dissecting the origins of uplifting words like resolution, goal, determined and aspiration. Delve into the history behind 'turn over a new leaf' and origin theories surrounding 'bite the bullet.' Also explored are the words ambition, self improvement and persevere.…
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This episode unwraps the enchanting origins and meanings of Christmassy names. Discover the history behind names like Holly, Noel, Carol and even Jesus. Rudolph may be a famous deer but his name translates to 'famous wolf'. Explore the connection between Nicholas and Santa Claus, and delve into the festive names of Ivy, Joseph, Gabriel and Mary, wh…
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This episode ventures into the wintry realm, unravelling the origins of words that paint the chilly landscape of December, January and February, from the linguistic evolution of winter clothing like jumpers, or sweaters as they're better known in America, to the history of the beloved warming 'hot chocolate' and 'mulled wine' beverages. Also explor…
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This episode takes a look at street names, starting with suffixes we use for streets such as road, avenue, crescent and the ubiquitous street itself. Interesting history is uncovered by exploring the name origins of famous London streets Downing Street, Oxford Street and Abbey Road, as well as Birmingham's Broad Street. Also explored are the etymol…
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This episode exposes theories behind the origins of what we call pets. While 'cat' has its roots in the Old English 'catte' and 'dog' in 'docga,' the origins of 'guinea pig' and 'budgerigar' remain shrouded in mystery. Also explored are the meanings of the UK's favourite pet names including Luna, Milo, Lola, Bella and Simba, and a theory behind the…
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This episode explores the roots of social media terminology. Find out why influencer and influenza sound so alike, and listen on to learn the origins of the words such as like, tag, post, meme and the term 'social media' itself. Learn what trolling has to do with fishing, and what blocking has to do with a log of wood.…
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This episode delves into the origins of words intertwined with cancer, from oncology to chemotherapy, tumour and remission. Also explored are the name meanings and legacies of individuals who have made significant contributions to cancer research, such as Jane C. Wright, Richard Doll and Austin Bradford Hill.…
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This episode reveals the name meanings and origins of given names beginning with A including Amy, Angela, Archibald and Adam. We delve into the Ancient Greek anēr which means man, and can be found in the name Andrew, and in the 'ander' of Alexander, and Achilles, Athena and Aphrodite, three iconic figures from Greek mythology that have left their m…
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This episode takes a look at the etymologies of dating lingo. From modern terms such as ghosting, orbiting and catfishing, to the rather old-fashion synonym for dating 'courting'. Find out the name meanings behind dating app names Tinder and Grindr, and when the word 'date' first picked up its meaning in relation to two people seeing each other rom…
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This episode delves into the history of words related to cosmetic surgery and procedures. Botox can be traced back to poisonous sausages, collagen goes back to an ancient word meaning glue and veneer comes from the same root as the word furniture. Also unearthed in this episode are the etymologies of the words aesthetic, liposuction and rhinoplasty…
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This episode looks at culture war slurs such as woke, gammon and snowflake, exploring the origins of their use in political commentary and the roots of the words in the English language. Listen on to find out who is credited with the controversial phrase 'pale, male and stale' and what the term 'loony left' has to do with the moon.…
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This episode is all about words related to sustainability, looking at the origins of words like climate, environment, eco and carbon. Find out where the 'denier' in climate denier comes from and why the word 'zealot', as in an eco zealot, is related to jealousy.Av Leon Bailey-Green
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This episode delves into words with double meanings. From words with contradictory meanings, to those that have had their meanings change over decades and centuries. To 'dust' can mean to wipe fine particles away, or to sprinkle them, and 'sanction' can mean to allow or to restrict. Just like the word 'sick', the word 'bad' can, in some contexts, m…
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