Smartest Year Ever

Gordy
  • 5.0 (6)
  • Education
  • Updated Daily

The Smartest Year Ever began as a 365-day experiment in curiosity. In 2025, I dropped a new fact every single day. History, science, language, word origins, and strange true stories, all the stuff that somehow makes you sound smarter in conversation. The goal hasn’t changed: help you become the world’s greatest conversationalist.

  1. 2d ago

    Why Is “Colonel” Pronounced “Kernel”? The Hidden Word Origins of Military Ranks

    Why is “colonel” pronounced “kernel” when there isn’t even an R in the word? And what do captain, corporal, lieutenant, sergeant, major, general, admiral, and private actually mean? Today I’m digging into the etymology and hidden word origins of military ranks, starting with one of the strangest spelling and pronunciation mysteries in English: colonel vs. kernel. From there, things get even weirder. Is corporal related to corpse? Does lieutenant really mean what it looks like when you break the word apart? Why do the British pronounce lieutenant “leftenant”? Are admiral and admire related? And what could the lowest military rank, private, possibly have in common with privilege? Along the way, I trace these familiar military words through Latin, Italian, French, Arabic, and English, exploring linguistic phenomena like dissimilation, doublets, changing pronunciation, borrowed words, and historical spelling. Some of the most official-sounding military titles turn out to have surprisingly ordinary beginnings, while others preserve linguistic mysteries that scholars still haven't completely solved. If you love etymology, word origins, linguistics, military history, language history, weird English words, surprising facts, and the hidden stories behind everyday language, this episode is for you. Sources Harper, D. (n.d.). Online Etymology Dictionary. Etymonline. Merriam-Webster. (n.d.). Merriam-Webster Dictionary. O’Conner, P. T., & Kellerman, S. (2015, February 25). Is it loo-TEN-ant or lef-TEN-ant? Grammarphobia. Music thanks to Zapsplat. #Etymology #WordOrigins #Linguistics #MilitaryHistory #LearnOnSpotify

  2. Aug 29

    Why Do We Call It a “Pair of Pants” If It’s Only One Thing?

    Why do we call it a pair of pants when it’s only one piece of clothing? And why is pants always plural when you’d never ask someone to hand you “a pant”? Today I dig into the surprisingly bizarre history and etymology of pants, from medieval European clothing and separate leg coverings to pluralia tantum, the linguistic term for words that behave like plurals even when we think of them as one object. Pants aren’t alone: scissors, pliers, tongs, binoculars, and glasses all have some similarly strange grammatical behavior. But English grammar is only part of the mystery. We’ll look at how other languages handle the word for pants, why French and German don’t necessarily treat the garment the way English does, and how Italian leads us into an entirely different rabbit hole about the actual origin of the word “pants.” Along the way, we’ll encounter medieval hose, doublets, some spectacularly unsubtle codpieces, Henry VIII, Renaissance fashion, commedia dell’arte, an Italian comedy character named Pantalone, the rise of pantaloons, and even a period when respectable people thought the word pants sounded vulgar. It turns out one of the most ordinary phrases in the English language contains centuries of fashion history, linguistics, grammar, and etymology hiding in plain sight. Music thanks to Zapsplat. #Etymology #Linguistics #WordOrigins #History #DidYouKnow #FunFacts #LearnOnSpotify Sources Oxford English Dictionary. (n.d.). “Breech, n.”; “Breeches, n.”; “Pant, n.².”; “Pantaloon, n. and adj.”; “Trousers, n.” Oxford English Dictionary. Oxford University Press. Merriam-Webster. (n.d.). “The history of ‘pants.’” Merriam-Webster. Harper, D. (n.d.). “Pants”; “Breeches”; “Trousers.” Online Etymology Dictionary. Fashion Institute of Technology. (n.d.). “Codpiece.” Fashion History Timeline. Bartels, V. (2015). “What goes up must come down: A brief history of the codpiece.” University of Cambridge Research. Encyclopaedia Britannica. (n.d.). “Commedia dell’arte.” Encyclopaedia Britannica. Encyclopaedia Britannica. (n.d.). “Pantaloon.” Encyclopaedia Britannica. Corbett, G. G. (n.d.). “Pluralia tantum nouns and the theory of features.” University of Surrey. Académie française. (n.d.). “Pantalon.” Dictionnaire de l’Académie française. Cambridge University Press. (n.d.). “Plurale tantum.” Cambridge Dictionary. Holmes, O. W. (1846). “Urania: A rhymed lesson.”

  3. Aug 22

    Why Don’t English Speakers Name Their Kids Jesus?

    Why is Jesús a completely normal name across the Spanish-speaking world, while Jesus is almost unheard of as a given name among English speakers? Today I explore the surprising history and etymology of the name Jesus, from its ancient Hebrew origins to the very different naming traditions that developed in England, Spain, and Latin America. Along the way, we’ll trace how Yeshua changed as it moved through Hebrew, Greek, Latin, and English—and uncover a linguistic twist hiding in plain sight. We’ll also dig into medieval Christian naming customs, the historical reverence surrounding the name Jesus, Spanish baptismal records, and a fascinating theory connecting the rise of Jesús as a Spanish given name to the 19th-century revival of Sacred Heart devotion. Sources: Ilan, T. (2002). Lexicon of Jewish Names in Late Antiquity, Part I: Palestine 330 BCE–200 CE. Mohr Siebeck. Renevey, D. Devotion to the Name of Jesus in Medieval English Literature, c. 1100–c. 1530. Oxford University Press. Fernández-Villaverde, J. (2019, October 19). Jesús Told Me the Answer. The Volokh Conspiracy, Reason. Juncal Campo, M. (2023/24). Nombres de pila en España: Una revisión bibliográfica. GTLex, Universidade Federal de Uberlândia. Music thanks to Zapsplat. #Etymology #LanguageHistory #History #DidYouKnow #learnonspotify #linguistics #names

  4. Aug 15

    Has There Ever Been a Day When No Human Died?

    Has there ever been a day when no human died? Today I trace that question from modern mortality rates all the way back into human prehistory, when Homo sapiens numbered only a tiny fraction of today's population. Along the way: the Toba supervolcano, a controversial human population bottleneck, hunter-gatherer mortality, and the bizarre reason Britain once had 11 dates that never existed. Could there really have been a day when every human on Earth survived? The math gets surprisingly interesting. Sources:• Ambrose, S. H. (1998). Journal of Human Evolution, 34(6), 623–651.• Gurven, M., & Kaplan, H. (2007). Population and Development Review, 33(2), 321–365.• United Nations. (2022). World Population Prospects 2022.• World Health Organization. (2020). Global Health Estimates 2020.• Poole, R. (1998). Time's Alteration. UCL Press.• Maddison Project Database. University of Groningen. Music thanks to Zapsplat. #HumanHistory #Prehistory #hypothetical #anthropologyfacts #LearnOnSpotify

  5. Aug 8

    What Did People Think Dinosaur Bones Were, Before Dinosaurs?

    Today I explore one of the strangest questions in the history of dinosaurs, fossils, and paleontology: What did people think dinosaur bones were before anyone knew dinosaurs existed? Long before the word dinosaur was ever coined, people across the world were uncovering enormous fossilized bones and trying to explain them using the only ideas they had. Some believed they belonged to giants. Others thought they were dragons, legendary heroes, or other mythical creatures. One of the earliest dinosaur fossils ever studied by science was even given the unforgettable name S*****m Humanum. In this episode, I trace the surprising history of Robert Plot, Megalosaurus, Iguanodon, Richard Owen, the birth of Dinosauria, and the moment the public first began to understand that an entirely different world had once existed beneath their feet. If you enjoy history, science, archaeology, fossils, prehistoric life, and fascinating true stories that change the way you see the world, you're in the right place. Atlas Obscura. (n.d.). The dinner that kicked off the first dinosaur craze. Biodiversity Heritage Library. (2015). The first described and validly named dinosaur: Megalosaurus. Extinct Blog. (2023). The weird early history of paleontology: Robert Plot and S*****m humanum. History Press. (2024). The Victorian dinner inside a dinosaur. Linda Hall Library. (2022). Gideon Mantell. Linda Hall Library. (2022). Robert Plot. Mayor, A. (2000). The First Fossil Hunters: Paleontology in Greek and Roman Times. Princeton University Press. Natural History Museum. (n.d.). Iguanodon: The teeth that led to a dinosaur discovery. Witton, M. P. (2021). Dinosaur fossils and Chinese dragons: Ancient association or modern wishful thinking? Witton, M. P., & Hing, R. A. (2024). Did the horned dinosaur Protoceratops inspire the griffin? Interdisciplinary Science Reviews. #History #Dinosaurs #Paleontology #Fossils #LearnOnSpotify #Megalosaurus #AncientHistory  Music thanks to Zapsplat.

  6. Aug 1

    What Did We Call Electric Eels Before Electricity?

    Today I dive into one of my favorite etymology questions I've ever researched: What did we call electric eels before electricity? The answer leads through Ancient Egypt, Ancient Greece, Ancient Rome, the Amazon rainforest, indigenous languages, the surprising history of electricity, and even the origins of words like narcotic and torpedo. Along the way we'll explore how electric fish were used as ancient medicine, why Carl Linnaeus named the electric eel when he did, how Alexander von Humboldt witnessed one of history's strangest animal encounters, and how the electric eel even helped inspire Alessandro Volta's invention of the world's first battery. If you enjoy history, etymology, linguistics, science, ancient civilizations, fascinating animal facts, and the hidden origins of everyday words, you're in the right place. Britannica. (n.d.). Electric eel. Encyclopedia Britannica. Catania, K. C. (2016). Leaping eels electrify threats, supporting Humboldt's account of a battle with horses. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 113(25), 6979–6984. Cabral, A. S. A. C., & Rodrigues, A. D'I. (2003). Studies on Proto-Tupi-Guarani reconstruction. Cambridge Dictionary. (n.d.). Poraquê. Long Now Foundation. (n.d.). The Shocking Medical History of Electric Fish. Mello, A. A. S. (2000). Reconstrução Fonológica do Proto-Tupi-Guarani. Meira, S., & Drude, S. (2015). Research on Proto-Tupi-Guarani lexical reconstruction. Online Etymology Dictionary. (n.d.). Electricity; Electrical. Smithsonian Magazine. (2016). Scientists Confirm Alexander von Humboldt's Incredible Electric Eel Story. Tsoucalas, G., et al. (2014). The "Torpedo" Effect in Medicine. International Maritime Health, 65(2). Wu, C. H. (1984). Electric Fish and the Discovery of Animal Electricity. American Scientist, 72(6), 598–607. #ElectricEel #Etymology #AncientHistory #AncientEgypt #AncientGreece #Linguistics #WordOrigins #LearnOnSpotify Music thanks to Zapsplat.

  7. Jul 25

    How Chicago Got Fleeced Selling Its Parking Meters for 75 Years

    Today I explore one of the most controversial public finance decisions in modern American history: Chicago's 75-year parking meter lease. During the 2008 financial crisis, Chicago leased all 36,000 parking meters to a Morgan Stanley-led investment group for $1.15 billion. What seemed like a quick solution to a budget crisis has since become one of the most debated examples of government privatization, public infrastructure leasing, and municipal finance in the United States. How did the deal happen? Why did city leaders approve it so quickly? Who owns the parking meters today—including the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority? And why is Chicago now exploring ways to undo a decision made nearly two decades ago? In this episode, I break down the history, the economics, the politics, and the long-term consequences of one of America's most infamous government contracts. If you enjoy videos about history, economics, politics, finance, infrastructure, public policy, and fascinating true stories, you're in the right place. Sources Chicago Inspector General. (2009). Report on the Chicago Parking Meter Lease Transaction. Chicago Sun-Times. (2026). Reporting on the proposed sale of Chicago Parking Meters LLC to Stonepeak Partners. Chicago Sun-Times. (2026). Ald. Ervin proposes infrastructure trust to weigh taking back parking meters. CBS Chicago. (2013). Coverage of Chicago's Sunday parking meter policy changes. CBS Chicago. 2 Investigators: More Evidence of a Bad Parking Meter Deal. Harford, T. (2023, September 1). The City That Sold Itself to Wall Street. Cautionary Tales. Pushkin Industries. Metropolitan Planning Council. Innovative Infrastructure Delivery: Chicago Parking Meter Analysis. NBC Chicago. (2026). Should Chicago spend billions to buy back parking meters? NBC 5 Chicago. Chicago parking meters have generated $2 billion for private company. Planetizen. (2026). Chicago mayor secretly bid over $3 billion to buy back city's parking meters. WTTW News. (2026). Proposed Sale of Parking Meters Stalls Amid Widespread Opposition. #Chicago #ParkingMeters #Economics #History #PublicPolicy #Finance #Infrastructure #LearnOnSpotify Music thanks to Zapsplat.

  8. Jul 18

    Why Didn't Ancient Romans Ride Bicycles?

    Today I explore one of history's strangest engineering mysteries: Why didn't Ancient Rome invent the bicycle? The Romans built roads across Europe. They mastered metalworking, gears, and sophisticated engineering. The wheel had already existed for more than 3,000 years. So what took so long? In this episode, I dive into the surprising history of the bicycle, from Ancient Rome and Leonardo da Vinci to Karl von Drais, Mount Tambora, the Year Without a Summer, vulcanized rubber, and the engineering breakthroughs that finally made bicycles possible. Sometimes the simplest inventions turn out to have the most complicated stories. American Society of Mechanical Engineers. (n.d.). Bicycle Bicentennial. BikeBiz. (n.d.). Laser scientist who proved Leonardo da Vinci didn't invent the bicycle turns 80. CapoVelo. (n.d.). The Curious Case of Leonardo da Vinci's Bicycle. Crawford, J. (n.d.). Why Did We Wait So Long for the Bicycle? Roots of Progress. Cycling UK. (2017). 200 Years Since Baron Karl von Drais Invented the Running Machine. Encyclopaedia Britannica. (n.d.). Odometer. Herlihy, D. V. (2004). Bicycle: The History. Yale University Press. Jennings, D. (Director). (1963). One Got Fat: Bicycle Safety [Film]. Lessing, H.-E. (2003). Karl Drais und die unglaubliche Geschichte des Laufrades. Maxime Verlag. Oppenheimer, C. (2011). Eruptions That Shook the World. Cambridge University Press. Ritchie, A. (1975). King of the Road. Wildwood House. Wilson, D. G., & Papadopoulos, J. (2004). Bicycling Science (3rd ed.). MIT Press. Music thanks to Zapsplat. #Hiddenhistory #AncientRome #Bicycle #Engineering #HistoryFacts #DidYouKnow #inventions

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About

The Smartest Year Ever began as a 365-day experiment in curiosity. In 2025, I dropped a new fact every single day. History, science, language, word origins, and strange true stories, all the stuff that somehow makes you sound smarter in conversation. The goal hasn’t changed: help you become the world’s greatest conversationalist.

Information

  • Creator
    Gordy
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    398
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Gordy
  • Show Website
    Smartest Year Ever