Etymoleon - Word History, the etymology podcast.
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.
Earlier episodes were just the beginning, start with later episodes for the best takes on word, name and historical origins.
New episodes every Sunday.
If you like etymology try Derivety, a daily word game by Etymoleon. Can you guess the word from the meaning of its origin? Play now at https://derivety.com.
Get in touch with Etymoleon at https://etymoleon.com.
Episodes
77 episodes
77. Comedy
This episode looks at the origins of words linked to comedy, tracing the etymology behind terms like fun, amuse, slapstick, wit and giggle. Discover why humour and humid share a Latin root meaning wetness, and which two English words correspond...
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Season 1
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Episode 77
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13:57
76. Diseases & Disorders | History Daily: Spanish Flu
This episode explores how diseases and disorders came to be named after people and places, tracing the origins of surnames, locations and the medical discoveries. Learn how Alzheimer's, Huntington's, Tourette's and Crohn's became part of medica...
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Season 1
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Episode 76
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30:32
75. Biscuits/Cookies
Starting with why Americans call cookies what the British call biscuits, this episode unpacks the etymology of biscuit related terms. Classic British biscuits like custard creams, digestives, Jaffa cakes, Hobnobs and Jammie Dodgers all have sto...
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Season 1
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Episode 75
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13:55
74. Names: E
This episode traces the meanings and origins of names beginning with E. The biblical Elias is related to Joel and Elliott, while Elizabeth has given us variations like Elspeth and Elsie. The name Enzo has two distinct linguistic roots, includin...
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Season 1
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Episode 74
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14:07
73. Mythology
This episode gets into the mythological roots that are embedded in our everyday vocabulary. From narcissism to nemesis to Achilles' heel, the tales of ancient societies shapes the way we speak. Explore the stories of Prometheus, Odysseus and Si...
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Season 1
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Episode 73
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14:01
72. Corporate Giants II: Digital Disruptors
In this episode we find out how digital disruptors got their names. From booking travel and managing money to exchanging clothing and finding partners, these websites and apps are at the forefront of innovation. Depop's name was first intended ...
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Season 1
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Episode 72
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15:31
71. Fancy Words
This episode uncovers fancy words that can add a touch of flair to your vocabulary. The word sanguine derives from a term meaning blood; Find out how it came to describe an optimistic disposition and its connection to the concept of senses of h...
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Season 1
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Episode 71
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15:45
70. Skincare
This time, we're peeling back the layers of skincare etymology. Discover the connection between salicylic acid and aspirin, and the sweet origins of glycolic acid. Iconic skincare brands like Nivea, Olay and Vaseline have stood the test of time...
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Season 1
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Episode 70
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15:24
69. Pigs
This episode goes whole hog into the language of pigs, exploring the origins of terms like hog, farrow, shoat and boar. Discover why a gilt isn't just a government bond, and how an old word for the back of the knee gave us ham. Another pork-bas...
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Season 1
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Episode 69
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13:44
68. Christmas Gifts
This time, we're unwrapping etymology through the history of Christmas gifting. The word gift in both English and German comes from the same root, though in German it evolved to mean poison. Must-have toys often cause a frenzy, like Teletubbies...
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Season 1
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Episode 68
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15:23
67. Television
In this episode, we tune in to the origins of television terms. TV broadcasts date back to the late 1920s, but the first remote control, a wired device called the "lazy bones", arrived in the 1950s. The phrase "jump the shark" originated from a...
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Season 1
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Episode 67
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14:50
66. British Empire
This time, we're going around the world of words tied to the British Empire, from terms of governance like dominion, protectorate and territory to words describing those settling new lands, such as coloniser, imperialist and conquistador. Disco...
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Season 1
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Episode 66
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16:12
65. Names: Style Icons
This episode uncovers the etymologies behind the names of style icons from screen, stage, catwalk and beyond. Looking into Karl Lagerfeld's last name reveals the reason we call beer lager, while a cabaret song inspired Coco Chanel's iconic moni...
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Season 1
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Episode 65
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15:15
64. Pregnancy II
This episode delivers the origins of words related to pregnancy. IVF is a common term today, but early media reports often used the phrase test tube baby, which predates the 1970s when in-vitro fertilisation first emerged. Discover how the term...
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Season 1
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Episode 64
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16:02
63. Cleaning
In this episode, we scrub up the origins of cleaning-related words. The English towns of West Bromwich and Castle Bromwich share an etymology with a term for sweeping floors, while laundry has roots connected to lavatory. The phrase spick-and-s...
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Season 1
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Episode 63
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16:36
62. Justice
This time, we're weighing the evidence behind the origins of words related to justice. The word dock is thought to trace back to a term for a chicken coop, while the Latin root of innocent links to the word noxious. Discover why we use the term...
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Season 1
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Episode 62
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15:56
61. Contradicting Meanings II
This episode is all about words that are their own opposites. Clip can mean both to trim and to attach, while refrain can mean to hold back or to repeat something endlessly. We also explore words that have flipped meanings over time; egregious ...
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Season 1
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Episode 61
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13:45
60. Names: Pop Queens
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...
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Season 1
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Episode 60
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16:22
59. Death
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 ...
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Season 1
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Episode 59
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14:17
58. Autumn/Fall
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 tradi...
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Season 1
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Episode 58
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13:44
57. Soft Drinks
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 it...
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Season 1
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Episode 57
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14:53
56. Shoes
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...
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Season 1
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Episode 56
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14:36
55. Names: D
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 Fre...
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Season 1
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Episode 55
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13:55