Butter No Parsnips

This week, the sun, moon, and planet earth all come into conjunction as Kyle and Emily talk about the meaning and origin of the word syzygy.

This word lies where stars and planets align, thus it delves our hosts into some fascinating astronomy. They chat about the movements of celestial bodies, what causes an eclipse or a full moon, and exactly how much the Greek astronomers knew.

Speaking of the Greeks, Kyle and Emily also discuss a little astrología, or (in English) astrology. Turns out it doesn’t just involve your horoscope, but also the great works of Ptolomy, doomsday predictions, and something called the Letter of Toledo.

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 and Kyle take a break from Duolingo to talk about language learning with an expert on the subject: polyglot, journalist, and author of language books Babel and Lingo, Gaston Dorren.

Our hosts chat with their multilingual guest about his linguistic travels from his native Limburgish and Dutch, to other European languages, and beyond. Dorren talks about what makes learning languages challenging, as well as what makes it so interesting and rewarding. And the three speculate on what the future of language could look like.

Dorren also discusses how English is somewhat unique among global languages, and why so many Americans are monolingual. Turns out Kyle and Emily might have a leg up on becoming bilingual! Though, they still can’t get the hang of pronouncing Dorren’s book title…

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

Kyle and Emily take a cup o’ kindness for the sake of auld lang syne, and talk all about Hogmanay, i.e. New Year’s in Scotland.

Turns out the Scottish new year looks considerably different than what Kyle and Emily are used to. They take a look at midnight visitors and gifts, a pagan tradition from the Scottish highlands, why the town of Stonehaven is all aflame on New Year’s Eve, and why the people of Edinburgh are wet and freezing on New Year’s Day.

They also chat about how the Scottish holiday season differs from in the US, and how Times Square is not the only place that drops something special on NYE. Happy New Year, and we hope you’re enjoying your Daft Days!

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 and follow us on Instagram and Facebook ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@ButterNoParsnipsPodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Follow us on TikTok ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@ButterNoParsnips⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

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Produced by Seth Gliksman, Kyle Imperatore, and Emily Moyers

Main theme and accompanying themes by Kyle Imperatore

It’s that time of year again, and Seth, Kyle, and Emily are celebrating the merriest of holidays. Is it Christmas, you ask? No, of course not! It’s Chump!!

Chump is a beautiful holiday, in which we indulge in some linguistic nostalgia and some delightful wordplay. But of course the most important Chump tradition is party games! After all, what holiday party would be complete without a little competition? 

Kyle rounds out our little celebration by singing a song that may sound familiar… if you swap out a noun or two, that is. Just our little way of wishing all of you, dear listeners, Happy Holidays and Merry Chump!

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 and follow us on Instagram and Facebook ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@ButterNoParsnipsPodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Follow us on TikTok ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@ButterNoParsnips⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

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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 leave their manners a little on the left hand as they’re joined by the author of Green’s Dictionary of Slang and foremost slang lexicographer Jonathon Green.

Our hosts get at the heart of what it takes to compile such an impressive collection of slang words. They delight in Green’s exaltation of the Captain of slang himself, Francis Grose, author of the 1811 Dictionary of the Vulgar Tongue, while taking jabs at that stickler Samuel Johnson, and the phony John Bee.

Just what is slang? Where does slang stop and a dictionary begin? What separates the work Green does from that of the ever popular resource for inane internet jargon Urban Dictionary? All these questions and more are answered in this jaunt through some truly wayside–if not offside–words.

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 and follow us on Instagram and Facebook ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@ButterNoParsnipsPodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Follow us on TikTok ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@ButterNoParsnips⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

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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 peek over the fence to get a glimpse at both the neighbor’s yard and the meaning and origin of the word stickybeak.

This delightful portmanteau prompts us to stick our nose into some Australian rhyming slang, sniff around at some 20th century poetry, and even peep into Holinshed’s Chronicles.

But this nosy word also made our hosts curious about the connection between a busybody and a beak. We search through the etymology of smell and snoop and even Snoopy! Turns out birds are all over the place!

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 and follow us on Instagram and Facebook ⁠⁠⁠⁠@ButterNoParsnipsPodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠

Follow us on TikTok ⁠⁠⁠⁠@ButterNoParsnips⁠⁠⁠⁠

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⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.patreon.com/ButterNoParsnips⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Produced by Seth Gliksman, Kyle Imperatore, and Emily Moyers

Main theme and accompanying themes by Kyle Imperatore

This week, Emily and Kyle open the Sunday newspaper, turn to the funnies page, and read all about the meaning and origin of the word grawlix.

They talk about how this cartoon cursing word was coined by the cartoonist behind Beetle Bailey, who quite literally wrote the book on cartoon art. But these swearing scribbles have been in comics a lot longer than the word, as revealed by a comic strip from all the way back to 1901!

But grawlix isn’t the only comic related word on the agenda today. Our hosts discuss yet another term for subtle profanity, as well as several other fantastically silly words for the symbols in a comic.

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 and follow us on Instagram and Facebook ⁠⁠⁠@ButterNoParsnipsPodcast⁠⁠⁠

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Produced by Seth Gliksman, Kyle Imperatore, and Emily Moyers

Main theme and accompanying themes by Kyle Imperatore

Better brush up on your manners, because this week Kyle and Emily are talking about the meaning and origin of the word punctilio.

The pair discuss Latin origins, petty details, and all things strict and proper as they explore this word’s history. Digging into its usage over time, they unearth stories about 16th century satire, the Italian book of etiquette “Il Gataleo,” and that book’s surprising connection to King Arthur.

They also talk about the personal code of conduct to which US president George Washington held himself--and use his rules as a jumping-off point to discuss other words related to punctilio.

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 and follow us on Instagram and Facebook ⁠⁠@ButterNoParsnipsPodcast⁠⁠

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Produced by Seth Gliksman, Kyle Imperatore, and Emily Moyers

Main theme and accompanying themes by Kyle Imperatore

Emily and Kyle talk to Joshua Blackburn, founder of Two Brothers Games and creator of the quiz game about words and language League of the Lexicon.

Listen along as Joshua shares with them the intricacies of what it took to put together one of the most successful word games in Kickstarter history. From the many collaborators, including a previous guest on this show, to the ornate design, to why simplicity is best in a word game that covers it all.

Kyle and Emily are then joined by Seth as Joshua puts the three hosts to task in a high stakes play-through of the game where only one can reign supreme.

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 and follow us on Instagram and Facebook ⁠⁠@ButterNoParsnipsPodcast⁠⁠

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⁠⁠⁠www.patreon.com/ButterNoParsnips⁠⁠⁠

Produced by Seth Gliksman, Kyle Imperatore, and Emily Moyers

Main theme and accompanying themes by Kyle Imperatore

Get ready for an episode that really rocks! And it’s ’cause we’re talkin’ about rocks! This week, Emily and Kyle explore the meaning and origin of the word menhir.

They begin by discussing this word’s origin in one of the Celtic languages, like Breton, Cornish, or Welsh, as well as skimming through a bit of Celtic history. Then they take a look at other prehistoric stone monuments akin to the menhir: the stone circle, dolmen, and cairn among them.

They talk about famous megaliths and monoliths, like Stonehenge, the Moai (better known as the Easter Island statues), and several others. And lastly, they speculate on why some ancient standing stones might’ve been stood up in the first place.

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 and follow us on Instagram and Facebook ⁠@ButterNoParsnipsPodcast⁠

Follow us on TikTok ⁠@ButterNoParsnips⁠

Support us!

⁠⁠www.patreon.com/ButterNoParsnips⁠⁠

Produced by Seth Gliksman, Kyle Imperatore, and Emily Moyers

Main theme and accompanying themes by Kyle Imperatore