Omnibus

4.6 (2.5K)
HISTORY
UPDATED WEEKLY

Every week, Ken Jennings and John Roderick add a new entry to the OMNIBUS, an encyclopedic reference work of strange-but-true stories that they are compiling as a time capsule for future generations.

NOV 14

The Population Bomb (Entry 966.GE2803)

In which centuries of sterilization-happy doomsayers fail to predict a game-changing revolution in wheat, and Ken thinks Pakistan wants John to clean out his fridge. Certificate #2037.

1h 27m
NOV 7

The King Under the Mountain (Entry 688.RO1311)

In which dozens of national sleeping guys with long beards wait in caves for their countries to need them again, and John thinks Tom Cruise should not be in a courtyard. Certificate #53610.

1h 22m
OCT 31

New Urbanism (Entry 835.SS0711)

In which conservative Sun Belt retirees and progressive urbanists agree on a nostalgic but radical revolution in city design, and Ken does a Normal Rockwell impression. Certificate #34959.

1h 26m
OCT 24

Soviet Spartacus (Entry 1194.EX2116)

In which a Thracian slave from two thousand years earlier becomes a proletarian role model and Communist sports hero, and John prefers action stars with boogers. Certificate #37084.

1h 18m
OCT 17

Electrical Sockets (Entry 400.JS0215)

In which the long war between alternating and direct current produces power outlets that multiply nto a dizzying world of configurations, and Ken needs a grounding prong. Certificate #29673.

1h 31m
OCT 10

Tartans (Entry 1279.DE2230)

In which Scottish clans each choose a distinctive plaid based on a romantic Highland history that didn't really happen, and John takes a hard hit while playing Frisbee in a skirt. Certificate #26624.

1h 27m
OCT 3

The Twenty-Seventh Amendment (Entry 1352.GE3028)

In which a constitutional change finally happens after a two-hundred-year delay just to spite one Texas poli sci professor, and Ken likes it when scriveners get away scot-free. Certificate #43079.

1h 15m
SEP 26

The Teddy Bear Shipwreck (Entry 1283.PR2433)

In which the toy market is revolutionized by a faddish stuffed animal that would be priceless today if it hadn't disappeared, and John buys the concept of a rabbit. Certificate #24398.

1h 25m

See All (629)

4.6

out of 5

2,511 Ratings

First Class

Nov 13

rt66lady

Thank you for the free lessons! Beautiful show. Really one of the best available. You'd make wonderful teachers.
a group of pedants is called a graffitos!

Nov 2

manayunk wall

fun facts delivered with quick and inventive verbal humor!
Awesome podcast

Oct 25

James Asch

Ken and John have a great dynamic and always put an interesting spin on the topic of the week. I love the side info on the Seattle area of Washington (where my wife is from) and Ken’s memories of living in Korea, where my family and I lived for many years.
Discursive, not authoritative, but essential

Oct 24

Angradi

Always entertaining

Every week, Ken Jennings and John Roderick add a new entry to the OMNIBUS, an encyclopedic reference work of strange-but-true stories that they are compiling as a time capsule for future generations.