The word “fly” is a very old word, and of course we have many expressions and nouns that contain the word "fly" itself, but do you know that there are dozens of familiar words whose origins reside in flies and other winged insects? 

Drawing Listeners Like Flies (Hopefully): Words from our Winged Insects

ANIMALOGY is a podcast about language, the animal-related words and phrases we use every day, and how they reflect and affect our relationship with animals. Hosted by Colleen Patrick-Goudreau, bestselling author, long-time podcaster, and self-proclaimed zoolinguaphile, Animalogy will change the way you talk -- and think -- about animals. For show notes and more, visit animalogypodcast.com.

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In earlier episodes of Animalogy Podcast, we talked about parts of our anatomy named for their resemblance to animals, such as muscle and coccyx. In today's episode, we look at the animal-related words we have for diseases and cures, including cancer, vaccine, and .... well, you'll have to listen for more! Thanks to supporters, Animalogy is a 100% listener supported podcast. Become a supporter today.

Vaccines Are Full of Bull? Animal-Related Words for Diseases and Cures

Have you ever been "fleeced"? Have you ever "gone in search of the golden fleece" or "pulled the wool over someone's eyes"? Are your opinions "dyed in the wool"? In today's episode of Animalogy, I discuss the animal origins of these words and expressions, all of which have to do with the hair of sheep. In other words, they're Animalogies! Thank you to the supporters of today's episode. Become a patreon today!

Don’t Get Fleeced or Pull the Wool Over Your Eyes: Expressions from the Hair of Sheep

We have many words built from the English word for "bear," the Latin word for "bear," and the Greek word for "bear," and we have many expressions and phrases built from the same ursine animal. Of course there are also expressions using the verb "to bear," as in "to carry," such as in "bearing fruit, bearing a child, or bearing a burden or a grudge. Let's explore the origins of all of these. Thank you for supporting Animalogy Podcast at Patreon.com/ColleenPatrickGoudreau

Berserk for Bears: Words from our Ursine Animals

In a pivotal scene in David Lynch’s film, The Elephant Man, the main character turns on those who are cruelly taunting him and declares “I am not an elephant! I am not an animal! I am a human being! I...am...a man.” The crowd disperses. Ever since the first time I saw this movie, I’ve had the same reaction. As a sympathetic viewer, I’m relieved that Merrick decries his abusers, but in making a claim for the dignity he deserves as a man, the implication is that the abuse would be acceptable if he were “an animal.” And yet, human and non-human, we are all animals. We are all made of the same stuff, evident even in the word “animal,” whose root word means “soul.” Supporters make this podcast possible, and they receive written transcripts of each and every episode.

Drawing Listeners Like Flies (Hopefully): Words from our Winged Insects

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