Butter No Parsnips

Kyle, Emily, and someone who looks mysteriously like Seth have gathered to unpack a word that’s been a fixture of the media world for… how long? The trio will discuss chasms in the earth, hard-to-say words, the Twin Peaks revival and more as they explore the word ‘hiatus’.

Our hosts discover that, long before any celebrities were going on hiatus, earlier ‘breaks’ were a whole lot more physical. Turns out we were talking about holes in clouds, ill-fitting clothes, and summer holidays in Washington before we were on a break in the way we know and love.

The word hiatus also gives our hosts the answers to questions like: Why is it called a hiatal hernia? How do we handle an over-abundance of vowels? And what WAS the plural of octopus in the Latin language? Plus, before they all take a break, Kyle and Emily will quiz Seth on a few hiatus-taking TV shows.

This episode also marks the commencement of Butter No Parsnips’ own hiatus. As of July 20th, 2026, Butter No Parsnips will no longer be releasing new episodes. However, you can find them doing a once-monthly livestream on YouTube and Twitch!

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Produced by Seth Gliksman, Kyle Imperatore, and Emily Moyers

Main theme and accompanying themes by Kyle Imperatore

This week, Kyle and Emily talk with linguist Daniel W. Hieber, Ph.D. (@linguisticdiscovery) about typology, his work with the Chitimacha tribe, and what it takes to revitalize a language. And as you might imagine, it takes a lot. 

What can a single language reveal about how all languages grow, change, and relate to one another? Sharing his experience working directly with the Chitimacha to learn and document their language, Hieber explores language isolates, the standards for language documentation, and the worlds that open up when studying a lost language. 

The conversation highlights language as a living, communal process. Whether through revitalization, documentation, or even the emergence of new slang, it’s a reminder that language adapts, reflects, and rebuilds alongside the people who use it.

Hieber's Substack: https://linguisticdiscovery.substack.com/

Join us every week as we explore the fascinating origins and meanings of words, uncovering the hidden stories behind language and how it evolves over time, for language enthusiasts and etymology buffs alike.

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Produced by Seth Gliksman, Kyle Imperatore, and Emily Moyers

Main theme and accompanying themes by Kyle Imperatore

This is a special look at the Patreon exclusive podcast Butter’d Parsnips available on our Patreon. For just $5 a month, you gain access to our entire backlog as well as a bunch of other fun perks.

It’s springtime! And Emily, Kyle and Seth are wandering through fields of flowers in this episode of Butter’d Parsnips, plucking from their research the origins of some common flower names. 

Daffodils, tulips, and even forget-me-nots are arranged by these floral friends as they discover flowers are actually… uh… pretty tough to nail down. 

Mmm, you smell that? That’s the sweet smell of making content we’re pretty sure you asked for at one point or another. And boy, did we deliver in this, part one of our perfumed promenade.

Find Part II on our patreon!

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Produced by Seth Gliksman, Kyle Imperatore, and Emily Moyers

Main theme and accompanying themes by Kyle Imperatore

Butter No Parsnips is celebrating 200 episodes with a zine! It’s filled to bursting with poetry and prose inspired by weird, wonderful, and wicked words—written by hosts, guests, and you! The zine will be digitally available to Patreon subscribers at the $5 tier, or for a one-time purchase of $6 on Ko-Fi.

(Submissions are now closed.)

For their 200th episode, Seth, Kyle, and Emily are getting creative, going independent, and making their mark. As they prepare some BNP print media, our hosts chat about indie publishing, subversive media, DIY culture, and the world of the zine.

Kyle kicks things off with a bit of etymology, explaining why a magazine is like a magazine, why a fan is not like a fan, and why it’s ‘fanzine’ not ‘fanmag’. Emily gives a primer in zine history, journeying from avant garde literature to sci-fi fandom to punk subculture.

Seth gives glimpses into a few zines well worth reading—and talks to a true veteran of the zine community, Geri Sullivan. (Get the full interview on Ko-Fi!) And throughout the episode our hosts read poetry and prose written by past guests, Patreon subscribers, and their good selves.

Join us every week as we explore the fascinating origins and meanings of words, uncovering the hidden stories behind language and how it evolves over time, for language enthusiasts and etymology buffs alike.

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Produced by Seth Gliksman, Kyle Imperatore, and Emily Moyers

Main theme and accompanying themes by Kyle Imperatore

Seth drives straight through bat country with Kyle, Emily, and the Lexiconicon this week to dive headfirst into the dubious history of the word ‘gonzo’. Old journalism made new and New Journalism made gonzo, the gang enters the chaotic world of Hunter S. Thompson. 

With excess and subjectivity, the word reveals its murky origins. Italian? Bostonite slang? A jazz song? A prank?! The search turns into a perfect reflection of gonzo itself: unreliable narrators, conflicting stories, blurred truth, and a refusal to be pinned down.

From journalism and documentaries to internet culture and the Muppets, gonzo has long outlived its creator. What started as a label for one writer’s “decadent and depraved” style becomes a way to describe storytelling that throws objectivity out the window and drags the audience directly into the madness.

Join us every week as we explore the fascinating origins and meanings of words, uncovering the hidden stories behind language and how it evolves over time, for language enthusiasts and etymology buffs alike.

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Produced by Seth Gliksman, Kyle Imperatore, and Emily Moyers

Main theme and accompanying themes by Kyle Imperatore

Emily sets sail with Kyle this week into the nautical history of ‘scrimshank.’ With not a second to spend dawdling, the duo drift quickly into the world of whaling, sailor slang, and idle shipboard hobbies.

As with many a seafaring term of yore, the deeper they dive, the murkier the etymology becomes. From ‘scrimshaw’ to ‘scrimp shanking’ to ‘skrimshander,’ there’s no time to waste (or money, for that matter) with a crew made up of naval slang, mysterious origins, and general maritime mischief. 

More than just a history of laziness, scrimshank tells a sea tale about work, discipline, and the language we use for getting out of both. From whaling ships to military barracks to modern workplaces, the word endures as the perfect accusation for anyone doing just about anything other than what they’re supposed to be doing.

Join us every week as we explore the fascinating origins and meanings of words, uncovering the hidden stories behind language and how it evolves over time, for language enthusiasts and etymology buffs alike.

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Produced by Seth Gliksman, Kyle Imperatore, and Emily Moyers

Main theme and accompanying themes by Kyle Imperatore

This week, Kyle and Emily finally throw some shade. In learning the etymology and history of the word historiaster, they’ll unearth a treasure trove of historical diss-tracks and put-downs harsh enough to make an intellectual cry “mater”.

Turns out, historians had a lot of strong words for their rivals, and Kyle brings the receipts as he serves the tea on their feuds. And while the consequences of poor writing can certainly be catastrophic, Emily learns that these mediocre words are not a disaster, at least linguistically.

But it’s not only the petty historian with a bone to pick – Kyle discovers professions of all shapes and sizes have known to act as critic to their peers using the little known suffix, -aster. Finally, Emily is tickled pink to breathe new life into the dead-word revitalization project formerly known as Save the Words, with its quirky advice and example sentences.

Join us every week as we explore the fascinating origins and meanings of words, uncovering the hidden stories behind language and how it evolves over time, for language enthusiasts and etymology buffs alike.

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Produced by Seth Gliksman, Kyle Imperatore, and Emily Moyers

Main theme and accompanying themes by Kyle Imperatore

This week Emily and Kyle are looking for the perfect cure-all, but all they find are false claims. They’ll separate good remedies from bad, both within the pharmaceutical world and without, as they discuss the meaning and origin of the word nostrum.

They begin by exploring why this word’s origins don’t seem to fit its definition. Kyle learns why “patent medicine” was rarely an accurate term. And Emily reveals a world of quackery and fraudulence in Medieval London, 19th century America, modern social media, and more.

Our hosts discuss lies and exaggerations at the pharmacy. Emily demonstrates how some nostrums are more dangerous than others. Kyle traces a line from dubious OTC drugs to safeguarding FDA regulations. And our hosts look at a few metaphorical snake oils that extend this word’s usage.

Join us every week as we explore the fascinating origins and meanings of words, uncovering the hidden stories behind language and how it evolves over time, for language enthusiasts and etymology buffs alike.

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This episode was edited by Brigid Kennison.

Produced by Seth Gliksman, Kyle Imperatore, and Emily Moyers

Main theme and accompanying themes by Kyle Imperatore

Kyle and Emily are mired in a true word salad this week. Diving into a bit of food history as well as word history, they’ll talk about mish moshes of all different kinds, as well as the meaning and origin of the word salmagundi.

In sifting through theories about this word’s origin, Kyle reveals a medley of food terms that are all surprisingly linked. Linguistically speaking, the word salt is worth its salt! And, although Emily isn’t too happy about the ingredients list, she is nonetheless impressed with this decadent dinner centerpiece.

But our hosts aren’t just talking about food presentation. Kyle shares how the word salmagundi has been used outside the culinary world, in a hodge podge of other places. And Emily gets a refresher on everyone’s favorite nursery rhyme and comic book character, Solomon Grundy.

Join us every week as we explore the fascinating origins and meanings of words, uncovering the hidden stories behind language and how it evolves over time, for language enthusiasts and etymology buffs alike.

Like what you hear? Follow Butter No Parsnips elsewhere:

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Produced by Seth Gliksman, Kyle Imperatore, and Emily Moyers

Main theme and accompanying themes by Kyle Imperatore

Better pack an umbrella, because this week Emily and Kyle are seeking shelter from the rain. A conversation beginning at thatched roofs trickles down to local snoops, as our hosts discuss the meaning and origin of the word eavesdrip.

The pair discuss why your roof juts past your walls, how a singular word can accidentally become plural, and what haircut was all the rage in the Anglo Saxon era. Kyle learns that building ordinances have a surprisingly long history, although they look a little different in Rome than in England.

Emily reveals that not everyone resting under eaves is trying to avoid the rain. Eavesdropping becomes a criminal offense, and not for the reason you might think. And our hosts chat about medieval offenses such as nightwalking, theft, and plain old gossip.

Join us every week as we explore the fascinating origins and meanings of words, uncovering the hidden stories behind language and how it evolves over time, for language enthusiasts and etymology buffs alike.

Like what you hear? Follow Butter No Parsnips elsewhere:

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Support the show:

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Produced by Seth Gliksman, Kyle Imperatore, and Emily Moyers

Main theme and accompanying themes by Kyle Imperatore