Some of the topics mentioned in this episode:

– You still can’t read Ryan Wilson’s translation of Catullus XI

– Etymology problems

– Are curses real? (Yes)

– Mean shit vs. maledictions

– Nietzsche’s On the Genealogy of Morals

– Shylock was on to something

– The dozens

– The Onion’s post 9/11 article “Hijackers Surprised to Find Selves in Hell”

– Two less-than-great reactions to the death of Osama bin Laden

– David Ferry’s The Odes of Horace

– Horace I.37

– Ben Folds’ song “Song for the Dumped”

– CeeLo Green’s song “Fuck You”

– SLEERICKETS’ nonexistent Patreon

– Heather McHugh’s poem “Earthmoving Malediction”

– Everette Maddox’s poem “Anonymous”

– Yeats’ poem “No Second Troy”

– Mary Jo Salter’s poem “No Second Try”

– Thomas Gray’s poem “Ode on the Death of a Favourite Cat Drowned in a Tub of Goldfishes”

– My scientifically unimpeachable neurotransmitter analogy

– Steve Scafidi’s poem “To Whoever Set My Truck on Fire”

Errata: Contrary to an offhand remark I make in this episode, “piss” is not, in fact, of Anglo-Saxon origin, but rather of Old French! And my reading of Horace I.37 does come off as kind of sarcastic even though I say he’s not being sarcastic. And also, yes, I for some reason make a big deal at the end about not doing biographical readings right after recording a whole episode that’s just crammed from top to bottom with biographical readings. What can I say? I’m a fucking genius.

Please rate, review, and subscribe. Or just recommend the show to a friend!

Send questions, comments, and suggestions to [email protected].

Music by ETRNL

Art by Daniel Alexander Smith