For episode six, Jewelz dives into the origins of the phrase “Fuzzy Wuzzy”. We discuss the children's nursery rhyme, African nomadic tribe, and comparisons to domestic violence. 

Material References

• Fuzzy Wuzzy Was a Bear
• Fuzzy Wuzzy Poem Read
• Fuzzy Wuzzy Nursery Rhyme
• Fuzzy Wuzzy Angels Explained
• Poem Analysis

For episode four, Jewelz looks into the origins of the phrase “Nitty Gritty”. We find ourselves learning about dance music travel, spend some time on The Passage, and make a quick stop in the bedroom. 

References

• Nitty Gritty Dance
• Nitty-gritty meaning: the possible slave-trade origins of the phrase
• Phrases.org.uk
• Where does the phrase nitty gritty come from - and why has Sky Sports banned it?
• The Middle Passage 

For episode three, Jewelz looks into the origins of the phrase “cakewalk”. We find ourselves learning about dance music and spend time with America’s favorite institution. 

References

The Cakewalk: A Dance of Black Resistance and Celebration

'Cakewalk' Wasn't Always Easy

Cakewalk Dance

Words and Phrases with Racist Connotations

For episode two, Jewelz dives into the origins of the phrase “Master Bedroom”. We find ourselves standing in front of the colosseum in Italy, on a plantation field, and shopping at Sears. 

References

• Real-estate reckoning on ‘master bedrooms’
• The Biggest Bedroom Is No Longer a ‘Master’
• Unpacking the ‘Master Bedroom’
• Shift From The Term Master Bedroom

For episode one, Jewelz dives into the origins of the phrase “Peanut Gallery”. We go way way to the 1700’s, check out Vaudeville, of course hangout with George Washington Carver, and even check in with famous comic strip characters. 

Here are some resources if you’d like to dive into a bag of nuts:

• The complicated origin of the expression ‘peanut gallery’
• Is “Peanut Gallery” a racial term?
• Video: 6 Phrases With Surprisingly Racist Origins
• The complicated origin of the expression ‘peanut gallery’
• Did George Washington Carver Invent Peanut Butter?
• History of Peanuts & Peanut Butter
• The Inclusion Solution
• FAQ: Why is the comic strip called Peanuts?
• Its Howdy Doody time!!! 
• Peanut Butter by The Marathons
• Asmr cracking and rustling sounds of peeling peanuts
• Peanuts by Little Joe & The Thrillers
• The Howdy Doody Show - Theme Song

Welcome to Racially Coded, a bi-weekly podcast that explores how race and the English language intertwine. Jewelz delves into the origin stories behind phrases like yellow fever, spirit animal, and low hanging fruit to find out how these expressions came to be. Listen to Racially Coded on your favorite podcast platform. You can also get some visual vibes on YouTube. The show launches April 4th.