This podcast returns on April 12th 2026. This episode explores unusual words for conversations about chance, examining their origins and recognisable words from the same root. Words covered include incertitude, vicissitude, pari-mutuel, fortuity, aleatory and serendipity. 

Plus, hear how some public offices in ancient Greece were filled by lottery rather than election, reflecting a belief that randomness could serve as a safeguard against corruption. 


Sources: 
https://ccel.org/ccel/gibbon/decline/decline.viii.xli.html 

https://www.gutenberg.org/files/9105/9105-h/9105-h.htm 

https://blog.oup.com/2016/03/sortition-ancient-greece-democracy 

Transition sound by https://audionautix.com 

This episode examines uncommon words for conversations about fixity, exploring their origins and familiar words from the same root. Words featured include intransigent, obdurate, adamantine, indelible, obstinate and irrevocable. 

Hear how a wartime survey of buildings at risk of bombing led to Britain's listed building system, granting certain structures legal protection designed to secure their permanence.  

Sources: 
https://grammarphobia.com/blog/2009/09/crying-over-spilled-milk.html 

https://utc.iath.virginia.edu/abolitn/abeswlgbt.html 

https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/art/news/targets-of-enemy-bombers-and-our-own-demolition-men-1598384.html 

https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/about-the-list/ 

Transition sound by https://audionautix.com 

This time we're getting into terms of etiquette and the origins of certain expected behaviours, starting with the word etiquette itself, which shares a root with ticket because rules of behaviour were once written on small tabs. There are many theories about why placing your elbows on the table is considered rude, with one explanation linked to the need for stability. Forks were originally viewed as pretentious tools before becoming symbols of proper dining. In this context protocol refers to the formal rules that govern conduct, and its etymology goes back to the 'first page' of a document, from ancient Greek roots meaning first and glue. The episode also uncovers the origins of terms describing poor behaviour, including crude, vulgar, uncouth and boorish, the last of which is linked to the Dutch, along with expressions such as hoity-toity, toffee-nosed and la-di-da.

This episode takes a look at the etymologies of dating lingo. From modern terms such as ghosting, orbiting and catfishing, to the rather old-fashion synonym for dating 'courting'. Find out the name meanings behind dating app names Tinder and Grindr, and when the word 'date' first picked up its meaning in relation to two people seeing each other romantically.

This episode delves into the history of words related to cosmetic surgery and procedures. Botox can be traced back to poisonous sausages, collagen goes back to an ancient word meaning glue and veneer comes from the same root as the word furniture. Also unearthed in this episode are the etymologies of the words aesthetic, liposuction and rhinoplasty.

This episode looks at culture war slurs such as woke, gammon and snowflake, exploring the origins of their use in political commentary and the roots of the words in the English language. Listen on to find out who is credited with the controversial phrase 'pale, male and stale' and what the term 'loony left' has to do with the moon.

This episode is all about words related to sustainability, looking at the origins of words like climate, environment, eco and carbon. Find out where the 'denier' in climate denier comes from and why the word 'zealot', as in an eco zealot, is related to jealousy.

This episode delves into words with double meanings. From words with contradictory meanings, to those that have had their meanings change over decades and centuries. To 'dust' can mean to wipe fine particles away, or to sprinkle them, and 'sanction' can mean to allow or to restrict. Just like the word 'sick', the word 'bad' can, in some contexts, mean good. 'Nice' used to mean ignorant and 'awful' used to mean inspiring. Listen on for the etymologies behind these words of contradicting meanings.

This episode takes a look at the origins of words, terms and phrases related to the state of inebriation. From bladdered, legless and steaming to 'three sheets to the wind' and 'Dutch courage', this episode explores where the underlying words originate and how the terms may have come about. If you want to know what dog hair has to do with a hangover - 'hair of the dog' - be sure to listen.

This episode explores the etymology of words associated with house buying. From the origins of 'realtor', the US term for an estate agent, to the connection between conveyancing and a group of ships, this episode takes a look at the roots of the words related to buying a home. The words mortgage, deed, deposit and leasehold all feature.

This episode explores the etymology behind the titles, styles and royal abodes associated with the late Queen Elizabeth II. The name Elizabeth, which means 'God is my oath', is a fascinating one with many variants and diminutives. Listen for the origins of Buckingham, Windsor and Balmoral, names of royal residences, as well as the meanings behind the late Queen's middle names Alexandra and Mary, and her many other royal styles. 

This episodes explores the etymology behind words of matrimony. The hus in husband comes from the Old English word for a house, which was hūs, and wife comes from a word which simply meant woman, which explains why midwives are called midwives. This episode looks at the origins of the words wedding, nuptials and civil partnership, as well as theories for the history of the term 'cold feet'. Plus, some name meanings inspired by people famous for their multiple marriages.

This episode explores the etymology behind words rising to prominence in conversations around the cost of living. Closing with the first recorded use of the term 'cost of living' this episode reveals where the words inflation, interest rates, bills, price hikes and air fryer originate. 

This episode marks St Andrew's Day by looking at the origins of terms linked to Scottish dialects. It begins with the etymologies of Scotland and other historical names for the region, including Caledonia and Alba. The episode also examines the various theories behind the word haggis, with explanations pointing to Old Norse and French roots. Wee, meaning little, is unmistakably Scottish, but other everyday English words such as glamour, numpty and eejit also have Scottish connections. Landscape terms including ben, brae, cairn and loch are explored, along with the origins of place names like Edinburgh, Falkirk and Dundee. Cullen skink, a soup of smoked haddock, has a name origin that is more meaty than fishy, and the word whisky translates to 'water of life', echoing similar meanings in other spirit terms such as eau de vie, akvavit and vodka.

This episode explores the etymology behind royal titles and ranks of nobility. The titles of Lord and Lady have an interesting history connected to bread, both originating from the Old English word for bread which was hlaf - the root of the word loaf. This episode uncovers what is known about the origins of the words King, Queen, Duke/Duchess, Prince/Princess, Marquess/Marchioness, Earl, Count/Countess and Baron/Baroness.

This episode explores the etymologies and meanings behind the names of British dishes and chefs. Did you know the cookery author who gave the Yorkshire pudding its name (it used to be called the dripping pudding) had no connection to Yorkshire? Why is a cottage pie called a cottage pie? Learn more in this episode which also features the etymologies behind Bangers & Mash, Chicken Tikka and Roast as well as explaining the origins of Dinner, Supper and Tea, words used to describe the main meal of the day. Plus a look at the name meanings of British TV chefs Jamie Oliver, Ainsley Harriott and Fanny Cradock.

This episode explores the etymologies behind luxury brand names. From Victoria Beckham to Gucci, Chanel to Burberry to Represent, this episode takes a look at the meanings behind these names, as well as Flannels, Net-A-Porter, Hugo Boss and Prada.

This episode explores the etymology of retailer names. Find out what Gymshark, rather ironically, has to do with being unclothed, and how the surname of Sainsbury formed from the name Saewine. Argos is named after the Greek city but is the city so named because of a mythological character or an abundance of silver? This episode also looks at the etymology behind Homebase, Ocado, John Lewis and Amazon.

This episode explores the etymology behind words associated with retail. The word retail comes from an Old French word retaillier, but what does the Latin tāliāre, which means cut, have to do with selling goods? Shopping centres are referred to as malls in the US, and that comes from the Latin malleus, the word for a hammer - what's the connection between a hammer and shopping? The origins of the words electronic and commerce, which make up the compound word e-commerce, are also explored in this episode, so too are the words stock, grocery, marketplace, return and consumer.

This episode looks at names that work across cultures, names that sound alike but emerge from entirely different linguistic roots. It opens with demographic data from the USA and from England and Wales that helps explain why many parents now seek names that fit multiple cultural contexts. In England and Wales, 37% of newborns have a parent born abroad, and in the USA approval of mixed marriage has risen from 4% in 1958 to 94% today. The name Maya or Maia can mean beloved, magic, brave, princess or mother, with possible origins in Hebrew, Greek, Sanskrit, Arabic and an Indigenous language of New Zealand. Idris in Welsh means ardent lord, while in Arabic it is said to mean studious or smart. The Irish name Ciaran and the South Asian name Kiran sound similar, yet their etymologies move in opposite directions: one means dark, the other light.  Also explored are the names Chika, Naomi, Bo, Arya and Dylan.

This time we're looking at words connected to the art of manifesting, tracing the origins of terms like abundance, affirmation and visualise. To describe what we sense from a person but can't see, we turn to words such as vibe, aura and energy, the last of which comes from the ancient Greek ergon, meaning work, a root shared with ergonomic and synergy. Some words run counter to the idea of manifesting, like doubt, which may stem from the Latin word for two, suggesting a mind pulled in two directions, and worry, which once had a far darker meaning in early English. The episode also looks at terms of cause and effect, including karma, comeuppance and just deserts.

This podcast returns mid-November 2025.

This time we're looking into the etymologies of vegan related terms, beginning with the history of the Vegan Society and the roots of other dietary labels such as pescetarian and the more recent reducetarian. Soya beans take their name from the sauce, not the other way around, and Quorn, the brand name for a mycoprotein product, has an unexpected historical link to fox hunting. There's also a linguistic connection between the words plant and clan, a part of the brain shares its etymology with a nut used as a milk substitute, and one type of mushroom owes its name to a marketing campaign aimed at boosting its appeal.

This episode looks at the differences between varieties of English across the Anglosphere, examining the origins of words that vary from place to place. Learn where the words trousers and pants come from, why thongs might refer to footwear or underwear, and whether you'd use a stroller or a pram depending on where you live. Discover how courgette and zucchini share the same linguistic root, as do arugula and rocket. The episode also uncovers the origins of nicknames like Yank, Pom and Limey, and how they came to describe people from different parts of the English speaking world.

This time we're tracing the etymology of words tied to lies and deceit, beginning with research into how children learn, or fail, to tell untruths, and a look at words of honesty such as blunt and authentic, the latter etymologically meaning 'self doing'. Fake and bogus grew out of criminal slang, with bogus first referring to a machine that produced counterfeit coins. Charlatan describes someone full of empty talk, and its origins may be more obvious to Spanish speakers, much like Irish speakers might recognise how phony connects to a jewellery scam. The origin of Pinocchio's name is right in front of us, and an ancient story has left us with a phrase that still warns against lying today.

This episode looks at surname origins through the lens of television soap operas, beginning with why these dramas are called soaps and how the conglomerate P&G remains involved in producing them. Some familiar family names point back to professions, with Archer and Fletcher tied to archery and another linked to roofing. British soap EastEnders is famous for tangled family ties, including two characters who at different times have been step-siblings, step-parent and step-son, and in-laws. A surname they both shared is often assumed to be patronymic from Michael, though an Old English root suggests its origin could have a different story. The episode also traces the origins of other well known soap surnames, including Ewing, Brady, Colby, Barlow and Platt.

This episode traces the language of sugar and sweetness, from the Arabic roots of the word sugar to the names of modern artificial sweeteners. Discover how accidents in the lab led to the discovery of saccharin, sucralose and aspartame, and how aspartame is linked to asparagus. Follow the shared origin of mead, the ancient honey-based drink, Miod, the Polish word for honey, and the name Maeve. Learn how syrup joined sugar in passing through Arabic into English and the likely origin behind the term 'sugar daddy'. Also covered are the etymologies of diabetes, glucose and insulin.

This episode uncovers the surprising histories of fragrant words. Many, including perfume, incense and bakhoor, trace back to roots connected with smoke and fumes. Eau de toilette may seem like an odd name for something sprayed on the body, but the history of the word toilet makes it clearer. Equally unexpected is potpourri, which goes back to a term meaning rotten pot. Find out why the number 5 became the name of the century's most iconic fragrance and the story behind the naming of the Marc Jacobs perfume line. We also look at the name origins of popular essential oils such as eucalyptus, lavender and tea tree, the latter with distinctly Australian roots.

This episode explores lesser known words that are useful in conversations about reputation, considering their origins and recognisable words from the same root. Words highlighted include perfidious, calumny, susurration, ignominy, opprobrium, obloquy and flagitious. 

Listen to the history of how a derailed train helped shape the beginnings of the modern public relations industry. 

Sources:  

https://hansard.parliament.uk/commons/1857-08-18/debates/4642f51a-ffe6-4eee-a43e-9276e7fc81ac/CompensationForTheSufferersByTheIndianMutiny 

https://www.audible.com/blog/quotes-theodore-roosevelt 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Qn-XatSQaA&t=404s 

https://www.irishlegal.com/articles/irish-legal-heritage-richard-pigott-and-the-forgeries-commission 

https://www.merriam-webster.com/wordplay/word-history-spin-doctor 

Transition sound by https://audionautix.com 

This episode looks at words that contradict themselves, carrying opposite meanings at once or shifting dramatically over time. Manufacturing suggests mass production today, yet it comes from Latin meaning 'made by hand'. A model can be an unfinished prototype or a finished ideal, while mistress carries both admiration and scandal. Execute traces back to a Latin root meaning, 'to follow', but does it mean to begin or to kill? Is supporting someone holding them up or holding them down? And why do alarms go off when on seems more logical?

This podcast returns in September 2025.

This time we're tracing the origins of Italian sauce, pasta, pizza and dish names. There are various theories as to why puttanesca shares its name with an Italian word for 'a woman of ill repute', but the etymology of ragù, which is linguistically connected to the word disgusting, is more straightforward. Ciabatta may appear traditional, but it was actually created in the 1980s, and its name is linked to feet. Surprisingly, lasagne might have English roots; a layered pasta and cheese dish called Loseyns appears in a 14th-century English cookbook. Find out why pineapple-and-ham pizza is called Hawaiian, and how the mozzarella, tomato and basil combination came to be named Margherita. Also featured are the origins of pasta names including pappardelle, tagliatelle, farfalle and cannelloni.

Check out Mahabis for stylish slippers, sandals and trainers: https://mahabis.com/

This episode traces the meanings and origins of names beginning with F, through the lens of historical figures connected to mythology, politics, innovation and the beauty industry. Falguni Nayar, the billionaire founder of India's largest beauty e-commerce platform, has a name rooted in time, like May, Autumn or Sunday. Freya, now a popular baby name in England and Wales, is tied to a Norse goddess and shares linguistic roots with German and Dutch terms for women. Also explored are the names of political figures such as Fatima Jinnah, Fania Mindell and Fidel Castro, whose Latin-derived name means faithful. The episode also looks into the etymologies of Forseti, Ferdinand and Florence.

This episode looks at terms connected to making assumptions, starting with the often-cited origin of the phrase "when you assume, you make an ass out of u/you and me". The word bias originally referred to a diagonal line, while projection comes from roots meaning to throw forward. Occam’s Razor is a principle that favours the simplest explanation, and Simpson’s Paradox highlights how data can be misleading. The episode also examines how mistaken assumptions about animals gave rise to expressions like 'seeing red' and 'wise as an owl'.

This episode looks into the language of tabloid journalism, starting with the surprising pharmaceutical origins of the word tabloid itself. The British Daily Mail and Daily Mirror were the first newspapers to adopt the format, offering condensed news in both style and content. They were both founded by Alfred Harmsworth. Find out why gossip is called "tea", how the word gossip has roots in godparents, and why press photographers came to be known as paparazzi. Also examined are the origins of terms for sources of information, including snitch, rat and whistleblower.

This time we're looking at terms related to independence and free will, as Americans prepare to celebrate Independence Day. The episode opens with a brief look at the events leading to America's break from Britain, followed by the origins of words like declaration, independent and sovereign. We also look at countries such as Sri Lanka, Belize and Zimbabwe, which changed their names after gaining greater independence. Belize's former British name came via Spanish and referenced the surrounding waters. Learn how the word bondage is related to husband, and uncover the unexpected linguistic connection between defying convention and dentistry.

This episode traces the origins of words for the places we eat, from the soupy history that gave us restaurant to the unknown roots of bistro, which entered English in the early 20th century, and brasserie, with its connection to beer. Discover the links between parlours and politicians, and how the word batch has its origins in baking. Find out why a military dining area is called a mess, and how buffet is tied to furniture. You'll also learn the meaning behind Mixue, the Chinese bubble tea chain that has overtaken McDonald's in outlet numbers, and the cultural confusion that gave us the phrase 'Going Dutch'.

This time we're uncovering the origins of espionage-related terms, from bug, alias, and surveillance to eavesdrop and secret, tracing how they entered the English language (and words they are related to). Staying under the radar is a classic spy skill - the word radar began as an acronym for radio detecting and ranging. Discover why James Bond's watch of choice is named Omega, and learn about the earlier names and organisations that eventually became MI5 and the CIA, the British and American intelligence services. Also explored are the English terms that shares linguistic roots with the French jeu de cache-cache and the Spanish el escondite, both names for the childhood game hide and seek.

This episode takes a look at terms and phrases that trace back to biblical roots. To "wash your hands of something/someone" has origins linked to the crucifixion, while a commonly misquoted phrase about money also comes from the Bible. Ancient towns mentioned in biblical texts have given rise to modern English terms (one of which remains controversial), and a queen's name has become a label for an immoral woman. The word missionary refers to spreading the word of God, and its more adult meaning surprisingly stems from the same origin. Listen to learn how the term scapegoat originates from a religious ritual involving real goats.

This episode looks at the origins of names used in common sayings, uncovering the theories behind how these phrases came about and tracing the names to their historical linguistic roots. Gordon Bennett is linked to the son of a newspaper entrepreneur, while Flash Harry may have been inspired by a well-known conductor. The phrase Bob's your uncle could have ties to a popular music hall song from the early 20th century. Jack the Lad refers to a real historical figure whose reckless lifestyle led to an early demise — find out how Jack became a familiar form of the name John. A saintly person might be playfully called Mother Teresa; listen to uncover the meaning behind her real birth name.

This episode investigates obscure words for discussions about error, tracing their origins and familiar words from the same root. Words examined include solecism, lapsus calami, amphibology, defalcation, misfeasance and mea culpa. 

Discover the mistaken beliefs that gave us the names West Indies, malaria and platinum. 

Sources: 

https://www.rd.com/article/malapropism-examples/ 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fOU0eA03S2c 

https://www.bankofengland.co.uk/-/media/boe/files/quarterly-bulletin/2015/desperate-adventures-and-men-of-straw-the-failure-of-city-of-glasgow.pdf 

https://www.taylor-rose.co.uk/posts/misfeasance 

https://www.lshtm.ac.uk/research/library-archive-open-research-services/archives/sir-ronald-ross-collections 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=anJKMZCVjxs 

Transition sound by https://audionautix.com 

This episode is all about size, tracing the origins of words related to 'bigness' such as massive, monumental, enormous and gigantic. Discover how gargantuan and Brobdingnagian have literary beginnings, and how juggernaut and jumbo are thought to stem from Indian and West African rituals. Learn why the word for aubergine differs across regions, with Americans calling it eggplant, and hear about the largest one on record weighing in at nearly 4 kilograms. Also explored are the roots of terms used to describe larger body types, including portly, voluptuous, buxom and chubby.

This time we're tracing the origins of colour names and the terms and phrases linked to them. Learn how conditions like grapheme-colour synesthesia, where people associate letters or numbers with colours, and tetrachromacy, the ability to see a wider range of colours, got their names. Discover how colour terms like turquoise, taupe, maroon, indigo and orange entered the language, why green screen is becoming an anachronistic term, and how Queen Victoria played a role in popularising white wedding dresses, alongside other influences. Also featured are the origins of the expressions 'paint the town red' and 'red herring'.

This episode uncovers supposed origins of well-known superstitions, along with the histories of the words tied to them. One story suggests the tradition of hanging a horseshoe above a door for good luck stems from a run-in with the devil, while the belief that breaking a mirror brings bad luck may go back to Roman ideas about reflections revealing the soul. Learn why the number 13 came to be feared, and why 666 might not be as ominous as is often thought. Also traced are the etymologies of words like talisman, charm, folklore and the phrase old wives' tales.

This time, we're taking a deep-fried dive into the origins of words tied to fish and chips, the beloved British dish dating back to the 19th century. Discover how 'fish' follows the same linguistic pattern as 'foot' and 'ford' with their Latin derived counterparts starting with 'P' - pescare, piede and port. Learn about the history behind abstaining from meat on Fridays, why the word 'batter' shares roots with a power cell, and how a flatfish connects to a town square. Plus, hear the story of the McDonald's Filet-O-Fish (and its rivalry with a tropical fruit), and the sauce named after an ethnic group.

This episode concludes with 'Who Invented Ketchup?', an episode of the Who Smarted podcast. https://whosmarted.com/

This episode reveals the etymology behind art-related terms, tracing words like draw, sketch, mural, canvas and sepia to their origins. Discover how 'canvas' shares an etymology with a drug, how 'pastel' links to pasta, and why an easel is connected to a donkey. We also uncover the name meanings and origins of iconic artist names like Van Gogh, Leonardo Da Vinci and Pablo Picasso, whose full name is surprisingly long.

The episode concludes with an excerpt from the ArtMuse podcast, telling the story of Elizabeth Siddall, a 19th century artist and model.

Find the ArtMuse podcast:
Online: https://www.artmusepodcast.com/
Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/artmuse/id1666669080
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1Czv1RuVGJQBimVCyCO19a
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@artmuse3717

This episode traces the origins of names from classic novels and theatre plays, uncovering the stories behind characters and their creators. You may not recognise the name Charles Lutwidge Dodgson, but you'll know his pen name, which was crafted from variants of his own. Learn the likely reason Oscar Wilde chose the name Dorian for his character, how the name Macbeth is linked to an alcoholic beverage, and how Ophelia connects to a mosquito. Also explored are the surname origins of characters from Jane Austen stories, including Darcy, Ferrars, Bennet and Price.

This episode traces the origins of animal names, from the orangutan, whose name has nothing to do with its fur colour, to the pangolin, named for its ability to curl into a ball. Discover the etymology behind mythical human-animal hybrids like the minotaur, werewolf and mermaid, as well as how names like Rachel, Callum, Arthur and Ursula have animal-inspired roots. Plus, uncover the surprising histories behind phrases like 'let the cat out of the bag' and' curry favour', the latter of which has equine origins and no connection to Indian cuisine.

Until April 10th 2025, get 15% off animal-themed socks at Bare Kind, a company that donates a portion of its profits to animal conservation organisations.  Minimum purchase £20. Use the code Etymoleon15 at checkout: https://barekind.co.uk/

This time we're tracing the origins of money-related terms, uncovering their connections to history. Learn how the word dollar links back to a Czech town and the alternative names once considered for Australia's currency. The story of money stretches from cattle used in trade to seashells as early currency, leading to the rise of coins and the introduction of paper money in 17th-century Europe. Listen to discover the 900-year-old tradition that helped bacon become slang for money and the significance behind the Barclays bank eagle.

This episode includes a message from Gabrielle Birchak, the voice behind the Math! Science! History! podcast: https://mathsciencehistory.com/podcast/

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 to the elements of schadenfreude. Teasing first referred to separating fibres before extending to provoking people (eventually in a playful way). Plus, find out how religious plays gave rise to the word farce.

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 medical terminology, and why Lyme, Ebola and Marburg are forever linked to illness. Plus, hear about the first reported case of the Spanish Flu in March 1918, in an episode from the History Daily podcast.

Listen to the History Daily podcast: https://www.historydaily.com

This episode considers unusual words for conversations about happiness, examining their origins and recognisable words from the same root. Words featured include gaiety, delectation, sangfroid, equanimity, ananda and rapturous. 

Hear the history of Jeremy Bentham's attempt to systematically assess pleasure and pain as a guide for moral action. 


Sources:
https://www.britannica.com/topic/eudaimonia

https://blogs.library.mcgill.ca/osler-library/aequanimitas/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QqfjUTqDGRw

Transition sound by https://audionautix.com