Etymoleon - Word History, the etymology podcast.

Feb 16 2025 73 ep. 15 mins 27

Etymoleon - Word History, the etymology podcast. artwork

Word History is a weekly 15 minute etymology podcast by Etymoleon, dedicated to uncovering the history behind words and names. Each episode unveils the journey of words and their connections to various languages such as Old English, Ancient Greek, Latin, Old French, Proto-Germanic and many more. Episodes also highlight historical events related to the topic and terms explored.

Earlier episodes were just the beginning, start with later episodes for the best takes on word, name and historical origins.

New episodes every Sunday.

If you like etymology try Derivety, a daily word game by Etymoleon. Can you guess the word from the meaning of its origin? Play now at https://derivety.com.

Get in touch with Etymoleon at https://etymoleon.com.

Copy RSS

Subscribe on Podcast Addict

73. Mythology

Feb 16 2025 14 mins

This episode gets into the mythological roots that are embedded in our everyday vocabulary. From narcissism to nemesis to Achilles' heel, the tales of ancient societies shapes the way we speak. Explore the stories of Prometheus, Odysseus and Sisyphus and their corresponding terms promethean, odyssey and sisyphean. The Ship of Theseus theory finds surprising modern parallels in 'Tri

72. Corporate Giants II: Digital Disruptors

Feb 09 2025 15 mins

In this episode we find out how digital disruptors got their names. From booking travel and managing money to exchanging clothing and finding partners, these websites and apps are at the forefront of innovation. Depop's name was first intended for a music blog, while eBay began its journey as AuctionWeb. Venmo's name stems from a playful twist on a Latin word and Monzo turned to it

71. Fancy Words

Feb 02 2025 15 mins

This episode uncovers fancy words that can add a touch of flair to your vocabulary. The word sanguine derives from a term meaning blood; Find out how it came to describe an optimistic disposition and its connection to the concept of senses of humour. Explore the origins of uplifting words like effulgent, ebullient and felicific, alongside the more sombre lugubrious. Listen to learn

70. Skincare

Jan 26 2025 15 mins

This time, we're peeling back the layers of skincare etymology. Discover the connection between salicylic acid and aspirin, and the sweet origins of glycolic acid. Iconic skincare brands like Nivea, Olay and Vaseline have stood the test of time. Nivea's name hints at the product's colour, while Vaseline's name blends German and Greek words.

69. Pigs

Jan 19 2025 13 mins

This episode goes whole hog into the language of pigs, exploring the origins of terms like hog, farrow, shoat and boar. Discover why a gilt isn't just a government bond, and how an old word for the back of the knee gave us ham. Another pork-based joint traces its name to the French word for leg. Learn about the mix-up that sparked rumours of hot dogs containing canine meat, the dif

68. Christmas Gifts

Dec 15 2024 15 mins

This time, we're unwrapping etymology through the history of Christmas gifting. The word gift in both English and German comes from the same root, though in German it evolved to mean poison. Must-have toys often cause a frenzy, like Teletubbies and Tickle Me Elmo, with the word frenzy tracing back to an ancient Greek word that also gave us frenetic and schizophrenia. Chocolate adve

67. Television

Dec 08 2024 14 mins

In this episode, we tune in to the origins of television terms. TV broadcasts date back to the late 1920s, but the first remote control, a wired device called the "lazy bones", arrived in the 1950s. The phrase "jump the shark" originated from an episode of Happy Days in the 1970s, though it only gained popularity two decades later. The word binge started as Midlands (England) slang

66. British Empire

Dec 01 2024 16 mins

This time, we're going around the world of words tied to the British Empire, from terms of governance like dominion, protectorate and territory to words describing those settling new lands, such as coloniser, imperialist and conquistador. Discover how Australia, Jamaica, Pakistan, Trinidad and America got their names, and learn about the English father-son duo behind the place name

65. Names: Style Icons

Nov 24 2024 15 mins

This episode uncovers the etymologies behind the names of style icons from screen, stage, catwalk and beyond. Looking into Karl Lagerfeld's last name reveals the reason we call beer lager, while a cabaret song inspired Coco Chanel's iconic moniker. Lenny Kravitz's surname traces back to Slavic roots, and Rihanna's name has roots in either Welsh or Arabic. Grace Kelly's name was pop

64. Pregnancy II

Nov 17 2024 16 mins

This episode delivers the origins of words related to pregnancy. IVF is a common term today, but early media reports often used the phrase test tube baby, which predates the 1970s when in-vitro fertilisation first emerged. Discover how the term folic, for the B vitamin, connects to the word for leaves, and why preeclampsia traces back to an ancient Greek word meaning light. We also