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 In episode 30, the hosts dive deeply into the word hero, exploring its definition, etymology, and historical usage through various reference books and tools.

Key Points:

• Physical Resources:
  The hosts bring out several large, classic reference volumes including:
  1. The Little & Ives Webster Dictionary and Home Reference Library. Complete and Unabridged
  2. American Dictionary of the English Language (1828 Facsimile Edition) Facsimile of 1st Edition
  3. The New Strong's Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible (Every Word of the Bible Indexed, Large Print Edition)
  4. Google Books Ngram Viewer
• You can find some photos of our personal copies on our Instagram page: https://www.instagram.com/ihatetalkingpodcast. 
• Definition of Hero:
  From the 1957 dictionary, a hero is defined as a man often worshiped as a demigod, celebrated for warlike exploits, valor, fortitude, endurance, and romantic qualities like strength, beauty, chivalry, and magnanimity. It also includes literary usage as a leading male character.
• 1828 Webster Dictionary:
  The older dictionary defines hero similarly, emphasizing a demigod, a man of distinguished valor or enterprise, and a principal figure in poems or romances (e.g., Achilles, Ulysses). It notes that in pagan mythology, heroes were mortals believed to partake in immortality after death.
• Biblical Concordance:
  The Strong’s Concordance does not list “hero” as a biblical term but includes related names like Herod. The word “demigod” and “demon” do not appear, while “God” has extensive entries. The episode briefly tangents into biblical terms like “Nephilim,” which is cross-referenced as “giants” in the King James Bible.
• Google Books Ngram Viewer:
  This tool shows the usage frequency of the word “hero” in English books from 1500 to 2022. Usage was low early on, rose sharply in the 1700s (peaking around 1778, possibly tied to global conflicts), declined through the early 20th century, then increased again from the late 1990s, peaking around 2017. The recent rise may be influenced by pop culture (e.g., Marvel movies) and recognition of real-life heroes during events like the COVID pandemic.
• Etymology:
  The word “hero” primarily derives from the Greek heros, meaning protector or defender, often referring to mythological figures with divine ancestry or honors. Latin borrowed the term from Greek. There is also a Scottish term with similar meaning related to warriors and champions, linked to Scottish independence history.

Additional Notes:

• The hosts share a personal story about acquiring the large 1957 dictionary for $1 at a bookstore sale.
• They discuss the font and style of the old dictionary, noting its tiny print and archaic typeface.
• The episode includes a brief tangent on related words like “hedgehog” (from the 1828 dictionary) as a bonus.

The hosts then share a personal story about protecting their chickens from a possum. When their dog alerted them to danger, one host bravely confronted the possum trying to get into the chicken coop, while the other managed the dog. This was their second encounter with a possum in the chicken run; the first time they let it go, but this time they acted decisively to protect their chickens.

They discuss their mixed feelings about possums-one finds their appearance unsettling, while the other appreciates their role in pest control and prefers them over armadillos. Their son was eager to join the “possum hunt” next time.

The story high

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Any views expressed on this podcast are those solely of the hosts and is for entertainment purposes only. None of the content is medical advice or financial advice. 

Special thanks to Tim Wright aka CoLD SToRAGE for his permission to use the song Operatique.