Martha shares writing advice from wine writer Andrew Jefford’s essay “Wine and Astonishment.” His main advice for writers: be astonished. This is part of a complete episode. Transcript of “Wine and Astonishment”...
Does the English expression “falling in love” derive from the biblical story of Rebekah and Isaac? A caller thinks so. The hosts don’t think so. This is part of a complete episode. Transcript of “Etymology of “Falling...
Obamamania, Obamabot, Obamathon, Obamamentum— the list of variations on the name “Obama” goes on and on. Is there an English word that means “the in-laws of your son or daughter”? And what does it mean when someone...
In our recent episode, Dust Bunnies and Ghost Turds, Grant mentioned simping, a slang term for “the act of pursuing a woman online in a fawning fashion.” What’s the etymological source of simping? “Cyberpimping”...
Fess up: do you have a pet name for your car? How about your computer? Martha and Grant discuss the urge to give nicknames to inanimate objects in our lives. Also, why do we speak of vetting a political candidate? And what in the world is a zoo...
You hear about political groups “canvassing for votes.” But why canvas? We talk about the possible origins of this word, and the connection between the cannabis and the material known as canvas. This is part of a complete episode...