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Butter No Parsnips
By Butter No ParsnipsComedy
Butter No Parsnips episodes
- 134. Rover
This week, linguistic buccaneers Emily and Kyle tackle that age-old question--why is the rum always gone?--and along the way explore the history of the word rover.
Not only does this episode uncover a lost definition of rover, but it’s also chock full of other pirate words! Emily discusses the origin of some words we all know, like booty and buccaneer. But Kyle also discovers some words we didn’t know we knew, which normally show up pretty far from the sea.
Our hosts are also sailing through some history, discussing the Dutch Golden Age as well as some real pirates of the Caribbean. They talk about a man who served with Captain Morgan and lived to tell the tale, and then Emily tests Kyle on his pirate ship knowledge, asking about Blackbeard, One Piece, and even the legendary Flying Dutchman.
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 - 133. Witham
Lovers of dad jokes and witty insults, tune in! Kyle and Emily dig into some punny humor of the highest caliber, and explore the history of the word witham.
This episode’s journey begins with a simple jab, “born at Little Witham”, a textbook example of British wit. Our hosts aren’t sure from which English village this phrase springs--but that may be for the best, as it’s not the most complimentary sentiment.
This particular phrase might make one feel dumb and foolish, but Kyle reveals dozens of other phrases which make (mostly) delightful puns on town names in England. And Emily enjoys a hilarious game which extends the joke to cover some small towns in America.
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
36 min - 132. Scrieve
This week, Emily and Kyle are digging into all the ‘write’ stuff. They discuss flash language, begging letters, and the history of the word scrieve.
Our hosts start in the wide world of writing, in contexts varying from beloved Scottish writer Robert Louis Stevenson to the tedious work of a scribe. However, the once-innocent scrieve soon becomes the less savory screeve, and leads us on a trip to the criminal underworld.
While Kyle susses out the connection between British and Australian criminals’ slang, Emily uncovers the truth behind counterfeit banknotes, the Nigerian prince scam, and an imposter who pestered Charles Dickens for years on end.
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
41 min - 131. Glossopoeia
Kyle and Emily are talking about what is perhaps the most complicated part of worldbuilding for sci fi and fantasy, as they unpack the etymology and history of the word glossopoeia.
This episode’s all about the nerdiest kind of wordplay, made-up languages. And not just the ones that appear in your favorite franchises like Lord of the Rings, Star Trek, and Game of Thrones. Languages like Esperanto, and some others you’ve probably never heard of, come up as well!
Of course our hosts talk about the king of constructed languages, JRR Tolkien. And they also dig into what made Tolkien’s languages for LotR so good. Turns out it’s not just about the words themselves; it’s the myths and stories that really make those words sing.
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 - 130. Moeity
Emily and Kyle get in the middle of the legal world and discover who will get a moiety of Kyle’s assets when he’s bought the farm.
In this episode, Emily uncovers the connections between social media and the paranormal, Kyle splits up his assets for both Alice AND Agnes, and the pair learn how the word expanded from law to chemistry and cultural anthropology.
Before the close, our trusty hosts brush up on their French and share their glass-half-full mindset. Which do you think is the better half of BNP?
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
35 min - 129. Flophouse
Kyle and Emily flop down for a quick snooze, but before they drift off to sleep they discuss the meaning and history of the word flophouse.
Our hosts are talking about the lives of (and distinctions between) tramps, vagabonds, and the homeless. Kyle discusses the effects that the Civil War and the Great Depression had on homelessness in America, and Emily learns how the first transcontinental railroad impacted that culture as well.
But soon our hosts leave frontierland trains behind, in favor of urban flophouses. They discuss how the lives of the homeless gave new meaning to the word bohemian, how the Salvation Army and others provided dubious sanctuary, and why you probably don’t want to stay at a hotel on Skid Row.
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
43 min - 128. Magnoperate
This weeks’ word is truly a work of art! Emily and Kyle discuss grand performances, the realities of artist life, and how to improve their next pitch; as they dig into the myriad meanings of the word magnoperate.
Our hosts talk about great works, in all senses of those words. Magnoperate is a decidedly aspirational word--describing everything from a scientist’s greatest research, to a composer’s greatest opera, to an author’s greatest novel. In short, any artist working on their masterpiece knows what this word is about.
That said, magnoperate also provides some opportunities for humor. Emily reveals the twist that the mad, bad, and dangerous Lord Byron put on this word, and she and Kyle rib one another about their work in progress. They also look at some early theatre criticism which toes the line between mockery and praise.
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 - 127. Tintinnabulation
We might be long past the season, but Kyle and Emily still have a few jingle bells hangin’ around, and they’re using them to make sweet music as they discuss the word tintinnabulation.
Kyle and Emily put words to sounds, finding just the right way to express the ring of a bell. Better yet, noted authors Edgar Allen Poe and Charles Dickens do the same. Our hosts also look at some historical and ritual bells of all kinds, and what it means when you hear ‘em ringing.
But Kyle reveals that some of these bells get a little bit raunchy. Emily is reminded of some fascinating history she might’ve preferred to forget, but learns a great way to protect herself from the evil eye along the way. The tintinnabula might be a subject of rather crude humor, but turns out laughter might just be the best medicine!
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
43 min - 126. Susurrus
This episode comes in like a whisper on the wind, and gets Emily and Kyle talking about the sonically pleasing and linguistically intriguing word susurrus.
Our hosts murmur about the word’s origins in Latin, as well as its satisfying sound as an onomatopoeia. Looking through the lens of some Roman poetry and English literature, they see how this word can describe all manner of noises, from rustling leaves to whispered gossip.
This word also brings about some discussions of repetition… Our hosts talk about some definitions that repeat, as well as some syllables and sounds. ASMR fans, this is the episode for you! (But if you hate ASMR, this is also an episode for you because we don’t actually do any.)
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
34 min - 125. Soubrette
Kyle lets Emily in on the true theatre kid experience, as they discuss French maids, Italian sopranos, and the history of the word soubrette.
Our hosts reveal how an Occitan word for a servant came to refer to an iconic stock character as common as the Harlequin. From Italian Commedia dell’Arte, to French opera, to Shakespeare, to 1950s farces… the soubrette makes her presence known on every stage!
Kyle also gives us a glimpse into theater life through the ages. Turns out certain stereotypes about singers and actresses go back further than you might think. And lastly, Emily learns that the word soubrette has some versatile uses.
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
36 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!