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

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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