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Butter No Parsnips
By Butter No ParsnipsComedy
Butter No Parsnips episodes
- 154. Calends
Emily and Kyle take a look through their calendar… and through the history of the calendar, as they discuss the meaning and origin of the word calends.
Our hosts begin with a bit of Latin, digging into the origins of the word calends, of various monthly words, and even of the letter K. They discuss the importance of the moon in ancient time management, and the struggles of bridging a lunar and solar calendar.
Emily explains how a calends is a new beginning, what “none” meant in ancient Rome, and why the Ides of March is not actually that exciting. Kyle learns, with horror, how the Romans counted and named their days. And the pair breeze through the etymologies of the months.
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 YouTube @ButterNoParsnips
Follow us on TikTok @ButterNoParsnips
Support us
www.patreon.com/ButterNoParsnips or by visiting www.bnppod.com
Produced by Seth Gliksman, Kyle Imperatore, and Emily Moyers
Main theme and accompanying themes by Kyle Imperatore
39 min - 153. Quagswagging
This week, Kyle and Emily are shaking things up! They discuss the meaning and origin of the word quagswagging, a quivering, swaggering word with a delightful ring to it.
Our hosts dive into the two parts of this word in turn. They talk about quagmires, quavers, quakes, and quacks. Then they move on from the swamp to talk about who’s got the most swagger and where to get the best swag.
These two halves come together to make one beautifully repetitive word: quagswagging. Kyle reveals the witty French writer and crafty English translators behind the word. And Emily tries her best to guess a few other reduplicative 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 YouTube @ButterNoParsnips
Follow us on TikTok @ButterNoParsnips
Support us
www.patreon.com/ButterNoParsnips or by visiting www.bnppod.com
Produced by Seth Gliksman, Kyle Imperatore, and Emily Moyers
Main theme and accompanying themes by Kyle Imperatore
42 min - 152. Lagniappe
Emily’s feeling generous this week, so she’s gifted Kyle a word with a delightful meaning and fascinating origin, lagniappe.
Our hosts begin their journey in the mountains of South America. Kyle spots some English words which originate in the Quechua languages of that region, and Emily traces a path from Quechua through Spanish, then through French and Louisiana Creole.
They discuss the history of colonial Louisiana, and the rich blend of cultures and languages it developed. The literary styling of Mark Twain provides insight into lagniappe’s usage in 19th century New Orleans, but our hosts discuss how the tradition has stuck in NOLA, South America, and beyond.
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 YouTube @ButterNoParsnips
Follow us on TikTok @ButterNoParsnips
Support us
www.patreon.com/ButterNoParsnips or by visiting www.bnppod.com
Produced by Seth Gliksman, Kyle Imperatore, and Emily Moyers
Main theme and accompanying themes by Kyle Imperatore
33 min - 151. Parergon
Kyle and Emily get to work at their favorite side hustle, separating “work” from “bywork” and unpacking the meaning and origin of the word parergon.
This word might sound like a mouthful, but our hosts begin by comparing it side by side with more familiar words like parallel, parasite, ergonomic, and paragon. Kyle then takes Emily through parergon’s various meanings. Like that beloved hobby you don’t want to become your job… or the extra work of art that emerges side by side with your main project.
But the uses of parergon extend even further than that! They discuss the word’s meaning in the world of painting, describing the backgrounds in portraits or landscape art. And they even dip their toes into a bit of philosophy, taking on the heady topic of semiotics.
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 YouTube @ButterNoParsnips
Follow us on TikTok @ButterNoParsnips
Support us
www.patreon.com/ButterNoParsnips or by visiting www.bnppod.com
Produced by Seth Gliksman, Kyle Imperatore, and Emily Moyers
Main theme and accompanying themes by Kyle Imperatore
38 min - 150. Congé
This week, Emily and Kyle get their vacation time approved and finally take that holiday to France, exploring the meaning and origin of the word congé along the way.
Our hosts trace this word from modern day France all the way back to Ancient Rome, talking about sick leave, travel, and even squeezing in the history of the word commute! They also take a few linguistic detours, in which Emily notes some detailed architecture and Kyle recalls a delicious rice dish.
Kyle and Emily discuss how both congé and congee can encompass a variety of meanings. It can describe the passport Thomas Jefferson is waiting for; the permission needed to pick a new Archbishop of Canterbury; the respectful bow made by a departing gentleman; or the rather less respectful goodbye received by a jilted lover.
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 @ButterNoParsnipsPodcastFollow us on YouTube @ButterNoParsnips
Follow us on TikTok @ButterNoParsnips
Support us
www.patreon.com/ButterNoParsnips or by visiting www.bnppod.com
Produced by Seth Gliksman, Kyle Imperatore, and Emily Moyers
Main theme and accompanying themes by Kyle Imperatore
40 min - 149. Vignette
Kyle and Emily look at the meaning and origin of vignette, a word which gives them snapshots of life in everything from illuminated manuscripts to early photography, and from book illustrations to theatrical tableaus.
This word starts as nothing more than a small and humble vine. However, it wound its way into the world of illustrated manuscripts, early printing, and wood engraving. Our hosts discuss how this vine grew into a delicately painted border, and later joined the world of photography and instagram filters as well.
A picture is worth a thousand words, but it turns out it’s also worth adding a few words. Kyle discusses the little “slice of life” tableaus used to break up otherwise dull books. And Emily discovered how those evolved into little scenes in literature and theatre.
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 YouTube @ButterNoParsnips
Follow us on TikTok @ButterNoParsnips
Support us
www.patreon.com/ButterNoParsnips or by visiting www.bnppod.com
Produced by Seth Gliksman, Kyle Imperatore, and Emily Moyers
Main theme and accompanying themes by Kyle Imperatore
39 min - 148. Nesh
Emily and Kyle put on their warmest coats and travel up North, braving cold weather and accent challenges to discuss the meaning and origin of the word nesh.
This cozy little word takes our hosts on a journey through several definitions, encompassing all things soft, gentle, and dainty. They talk about the impressive versatility of old-timey words, Emily reveals the wide reach of Germanic roots, and Kyle desperately wishes to nosh on some knishes.
Eventually, the word nesh settles in its favored home: the Northern UK. Our hosts discuss dialects spoken across England, from Yorkshire to the Midlands to the Cotswolds and beyond. They dig into how and why these dialects have held onto English’s oldest facets. And they get a glimpse of how nesh is used in the modern day.
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 YouTube @ButterNoParsnips
Follow us on TikTok @ButterNoParsnips
Support us
www.patreon.com/ButterNoParsnips or by visiting www.bnppod.com
Produced by Seth Gliksman, Kyle Imperatore, and Emily Moyers
Main theme and accompanying themes by Kyle Imperatore
39 min - 147. Logarithmotechny
Kyle and Emily brave the terrifying, technical world of math, and get to know a wonderful wizard of a man along the way, as they discuss the meaning and origin of logarithmotechny.
Our hosts break down this impressive word into some familiar parts. Then, taking a break from English class, they move on to algebra. Don’t worry; there’s not too many numbers today! Just enough that Kyle can reacquaint Emily with the logarithms she’s sure she once understood.
But our two students spend the longest in history class, discussing the great logarithmic work of one John Napier. Kyle reveals the impact Napier had on everything from decimal fractions to the mechanical calculator to early computer technology. And before the episode is out, Emily learns that Napier’s work was not just mathematical, but magical!
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 YouTube @ButterNoParsnips
Follow us on TikTok @ButterNoParsnips
Support us
www.patreon.com/ButterNoParsnips or by visiting www.bnppod.com
Produced by Seth Gliksman, Kyle Imperatore, and Emily Moyers
Main theme and accompanying themes by Kyle Imperatore
45 min - 146. Runcible
Emily and Kyle look at some whimsical poems and delightful nonsense, as they try--perhaps in vain--to ascertain the meaning and origin of the word runcible.
It’s revealed that this word isn’t exactly a word, though it certainly looks like one. Emily recalls a cozy, if silly, bit of poetry from her childhood. Kyle learns of a must-see opera prequel of “The Owl and the Pussycat”. And Edward Lear uses the word runcible in a variety of ways which honestly lead to more questions than answers.
But it turns out that the runcible spoon poses even greater mysteries. When did this fanciful term come to describe the humble spork? What does an hors d'oeuvres server have to do with an 8th century military defeat? And what is the strangest hybrid utensil out there? All or none of those questions will be answered!
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 @ButterNoParsnipsPodcastFollow us on YouTube @ButterNoParsnips
Follow us on TikTok @ButterNoParsnips
Support us
www.patreon.com/ButterNoParsnips or by visiting www.bnppod.com
Produced by Seth Gliksman, Kyle Imperatore, and Emily Moyers
Main theme and accompanying themes by Kyle Imperatore
39 min - 145. Wroth
Kyle and Emily wax nostalgic, poetic, and wode over a deceptively familiar word, looking through Middle English and modern fantasy for the history of the word wroth.
This word bears striking similarity to wrath, and at least a dozen other words. Kyle unpacks the etymological reasons why. He might’ve been a little angry at having to parse through so much Proto-Germanic, but Emily delights at the many wacky words he unveils in the process!
Our hosts also delve through literature both old and new, looking for appearances of this angry and evil word, under its many different definitions. They look at quotes as old as the King James Bible and tales of King Arthur, but also as recent as the Lord of the Rings and the Game of Thrones books.
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 YouTube @ButterNoParsnips
Follow us on TikTok @ButterNoParsnips
Support us
www.patreon.com/ButterNoParsnips or by visiting www.bnppod.com
Produced by Seth Gliksman, Kyle Imperatore, and Emily Moyers
Main theme and accompanying themes by Kyle Imperatore
38 min
About Butter No Parsnips
From the publisher's feed
Every week on Butter No Parsnips, your hosts Emily Moyers and Kyle Imperatore take you on an adventure through the weird, wacky, wonderful, and sometimes wicked history of one wayside word. Strange…
characters, delightful bits, and general joyousness abound, join them as they test each other's etymological expertise!