Etymoleon - Word History, etymology
Etymoleon, a weekly 15 minute etymology podcast, gets into the world of word history and origins. Join Leon as he researches and explores the historical and linguistic roots of words, names and phrases tied to diverse topics.
Without expertise in linguistics or history, Leon assumes the role of an avid researcher, presenting analyses of how words have evolved over time.
Each episode unveils the journey of words, dissecting their transformations and connections to various languages such as Old English, Ancient Greek, Latin, Old French, Proto-Germanic and many more.
Expect a linguistic exploration but also snippets of historical events linked to the chosen words.
New episodes every Sunday.
Podcast takes a break prior to bank holidays of England & Wales.
Etymoleon - Word History, etymology
47. Summer
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 "dale". Discover why the sunscreen brand Piz Buin is named after a mountain and how "al fresco" has a very different meaning in Italian slang compared to its English usage of dining outdoors.