The Why of Words

Discover the surprising origin of the word 'pajamas'—it actually comes from India, derived from Urdu and Persian *paijama*, meaning 'leg-garment.' Explore how British colonizers encountered this comfortable clothing and gave it a name that stuck with us today.

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More from Sticky Note Podcasts:
Deep in the Stacks (daily jazz vinyl) | Required Drinking (cocktail history) | Photography Knowledge (daily photo tips)
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Explore the surprising history of the cravat, a fancy neck accessory that evolved into the modern tie. Contrary to popular belief, this elegant garment wasn't invented by Parisian dandies but originated with Croatian mercenary soldiers in the 17th century who spread the fashion across Europe.

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More from Sticky Note Podcasts:
Deep in the Stacks (daily jazz vinyl) | Required Drinking (cocktail history) | Photography Knowledge (daily photo tips)
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Explore the surprising origin of the bikini, a word born not from fashion logic but from a 1946 atomic bomb test. Discover how a Paris designer revolutionized swimwear by making it smaller, and uncover the true etymology behind this iconic two-piece bathing suit that challenges popular misconceptions about language and history.

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More from Sticky Note Podcasts:
Deep in the Stacks (daily jazz vinyl) | Required Drinking (cocktail history) | Photography Knowledge (daily photo tips)
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Discover the surprising origin of the cardigan, the button-up sweater that's been solving temperature problems since the 1800s. Most people assume it comes from an old English word for knit or wool, but the truth is far more interesting—it's actually named after James Brudenell, the 7th Earl of Cardigan, a man who famously lost a battle.

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More from Sticky Note Podcasts:
Deep in the Stacks (daily jazz vinyl) | Required Drinking (cocktail history) | Photography Knowledge (daily photo tips)
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Discover the surprising Italian origins of jeans, the most iconic American garment. The word traces back to Genoa, an Italian port city known in French as 'Gênes,' where sturdy cotton twill fabric was called 'jean.' Explore how this everyday clothing staple got its unexpected name.

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More from Sticky Note Podcasts:
Deep in the Stacks (daily jazz vinyl) | Required Drinking (cocktail history) | Photography Knowledge (daily photo tips)
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Discover the surprisingly weird origin of the word 'torpedo'—it didn't start as a weapon, but as the name of a deadly electric ray. This episode traces how a fish from the Mediterranean became the term for modern underwater missiles, revealing the unexpected path of linguistic evolution.

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More from Sticky Note Podcasts:
Deep in the Stacks (daily jazz vinyl) | Required Drinking (cocktail history) | Photography Knowledge (daily photo tips)
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Explore the surprising military roots of the word 'campaign.' Discover how this everyday term for sustained efforts traces back to Latin *campania* and medieval battlefields, revealing that modern political and marketing campaigns are literally preparing a battlefield.

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More from Sticky Note Podcasts:
Deep in the Stacks (daily jazz vinyl) | Required Drinking (cocktail history) | Photography Knowledge (daily photo tips)
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Discover the surprising origins of 'berserk'—a word meaning to lose all control and go wild. Contrary to popular belief, it doesn't stem from Viking battle fury but from something far more primal: actual bears. Trace the word's journey from Old Norse in the 10th century to its modern meaning.

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More from Sticky Note Podcasts:
Deep in the Stacks (daily jazz vinyl) | Required Drinking (cocktail history) | Photography Knowledge (daily photo tips)
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Explore the surprising origins of 'slogan' — a word that traces back to Scottish Highlanders' battle cries in the 1500s. Discover how this fierce war cry evolved into the catchy marketing phrases we see on billboards today, revealing the unexpected warrior roots of modern advertising language.

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More from Sticky Note Podcasts:
Deep in the Stacks (daily jazz vinyl) | Required Drinking (cocktail history) | Photography Knowledge (daily photo tips)
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Explore the dark origins of the word 'deadline.' While many assume it's a modern business term, the word actually traces back to the Civil War era and Andersonville Prison, where it literally meant a line of peril.

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More from Sticky Note Podcasts:
Deep in the Stacks (daily jazz vinyl) | Required Drinking (cocktail history) | Photography Knowledge (daily photo tips)
stickynotepodcasts.com