Moniker: The Histories and Mysteries of Names

Nov 18 2024 28 ep. 27 mins 26

Moniker: The Histories and Mysteries of Names Podcast artwork

Do you ever wonder how and why things get their names? On Moniker: The Histories and Mysteries of Names, we'll dive into anything and everything related to names. If you're an onomastics aficionado, this is the place for you!

History Society & Culture Education

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Of Pilgrims and Puritans

Nov 18 2024 28 mins

What's the difference between a Pilgrim and a Puritan? And what do they have to do with Thanksgiving anyway?? We'll look at the roots of a beloved American holiday and how they connect with the Protestant Revolution. Raise your drumsticks in a hearty Huzzah!

Easter, Eoster & Ishtar

Apr 07 2023 20 mins

Here comes Peter Cottontail! It's almost time for Easter! But what does Easter mean? How did it get its name? Did the Catholics just piggy-back off a holiday for an ancient goddess?? Let's "hunt" down the answer together!

We Need to Talk About Kevin (Caoimhin)

Oct 12 2022 17 mins

I bet you know a lot of Kevins, but when was the last time you saw a baby named Kevin? Today we explore Kevins journey from Celtic Saint to American scamp. Learn just how popular (or unpopular) this name really is! Sources: Articles Children's names: Why rich parents set the trend, not celebrities - BBC News The Ossianic Society on JSTOR What’s In A Name: The Surprising Rise And

Oranges: Fruit or Color?

Aug 21 2022 20 mins

After a stupidly long hiatus we are back with more naming fun! Join us this episode for an in-depth look at the journey of orange, both the color and the fruit! Links: The Citrus Route Revealed: From Southeast Asia into the Mediterranean in: HortScience Volume 52 Issue 6 (2017) (ashs.org) orange | Search Online Etymology Dictionary (etymonline.com) The Origin of Oranges (arcgis.com

Did Shakespeare Invent Jessica?

Apr 25 2022 14 mins

Ah the immortal Bard. We can credit Shakespeare with many things: shaping the English language, bringing theatre to the common man, giving High School drama departments something to perform that's in the public domain. But can we credit Shakespeare for names like Jessica? We'll look at the complex (and racist) relationship between Britain and Judaism as we unravel the mystery behin

Iceland and Greenland

Mar 15 2022 15 mins

It's an old story: The Vikings gave Greenland and Iceland their names to fool people. But is that actually true? Grab and oar on the dragon boat as we sail to the icy heart of this naming mystery! Sources: Articles: A BRIEF HISTORY OF GREENLAND - Local Histories Debunking the Naming of Iceland: How the Island Got its Name | The Horse and the Norse (wordpress.com) Erik The Red – T

Princess Qajar: More than a Meme

Feb 07 2022 14 mins

You've probably seen a meme circulating that shows the so-called "Princess Qajar." It's a set of black and white photos showing an Iranian woman with a mustache, unibrow, and unusual clothes. A typical caption reads something like: "this woman was a great beauty in her day. 13 men committed suicide after she spurned their advances!" We're meant to be shocked that this "uggo" could

What is Barbie?

Jan 16 2022 13 mins

She's pink! She's fun! She's complicated! The world loves Barbie. She's a staple of American girlhood. But how did Barbie get her name? Is Barbie a person or a species? When/why did Barbie become a derogatory term against women? fire up your pink convertibles, because we're getting into the history of Barbie and the impact of her name on culture. Sources: Articles: Biography of Rut

Moniker Classic: How California Got Its Name

Jan 08 2022 37 mins

1/8/22 Here's another Moniker Classic episode to start the New Year. We here at Moniker have been rethinking the format of the show for 2022 and will have updates soon. But don't worry! Lot's of naming fun is coming your way! -Megan Today we're going to mine the depths of the Golden State! Hopefully we'll find some good nuggets! It'll be a real rush! (I know, I hate me too). More t

The Many Names of Santa

Dec 17 2021 32 mins

Kris Kringle! Saint Nick! Sinterklaas! Old...beardy! Children all over the world love Santa Claus. But how did he end up with so many names? Are they corporate creations or semblances of somber saints? Join us as we delve into the myths and traditions of Santa Claus. Cameo appearances by: Martin Luther, Charles I, and friend of the podcast Mickey Rooney! Sources: Articles: https://