Etymoleon - Word History, the etymology podcast.

104. Scotland


Listen Later

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.

...more
View all episodesView all episodes
Download on the App Store

Etymoleon - Word History, the etymology podcast.By Leon Bailey-Green

  • 4.5
  • 4.5
  • 4.5
  • 4.5
  • 4.5

4.5

15 ratings


More shows like Etymoleon - Word History, the etymology podcast.

View all
This American Life by This American Life

This American Life

90,756 Listeners

The NPR Politics Podcast by NPR

The NPR Politics Podcast

25,845 Listeners

The Daily by The New York Times

The Daily

112,484 Listeners

Up First from NPR by NPR

Up First from NPR

56,740 Listeners

You're Wrong About by Sarah Marshall

You're Wrong About

21,864 Listeners

Life Kit by NPR

Life Kit

4,783 Listeners

HISTORY This Week by The HISTORY® Channel | Back Pocket Studios

HISTORY This Week

4,193 Listeners

Everything Everywhere Daily by Gary Arndt

Everything Everywhere Daily

2,200 Listeners

The Atlas Obscura Podcast by SiriusXM and Atlas Obscura

The Atlas Obscura Podcast

1,744 Listeners

History Daily by History Daily

History Daily

2,150 Listeners

Betwixt The Sheets: The History of Sex, Scandal & Society by History Hit

Betwixt The Sheets: The History of Sex, Scandal & Society

1,385 Listeners

History's Heroes by BBC Radio 4

History's Heroes

508 Listeners

The Economics of Everyday Things by Freakonomics Network & Zachary Crockett

The Economics of Everyday Things

1,685 Listeners

World of Secrets by BBC

World of Secrets

1,041 Listeners

Big Small Talk by LiSTNR

Big Small Talk

38 Listeners