Word Journeys: An Etymology Podcast

Word Journeys: An Etymology Podcast
  • 4.8 (40)
  • EDUCATION
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. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  1. 06/17/2019

    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.

    28 min

  2. 01/14/2019

    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.

    26 min

  3. 12/17/2018

    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.

    16 min

  4. 11/20/2018

    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.

    16 min

  5. 11/20/2018

    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.

    16 min
  6. Episode 10: Jewish Onomastics

    07/24/2018

    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.

    1h 5m
  7. Episode 9: Two Birds with One Brick

    07/02/2018

    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.

    19 min
  8. Episode 8: An Episode About Nothing

    05/28/2018

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

    19 min
See All (15)

4.8
out of 5
40 Ratings

About

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

Information

To listen to explicit episodes, sign in.

Stay up to date with this show

Sign in or sign up to follow shows, save episodes, and get the latest updates.
Select a country or region

Africa, Middle East, and India

Asia Pacific

Europe

Latin America and the Caribbean

The United States and Canada