What In The Word

By Portia Nagano & Carolyn Lieberman

What In The Word Podcast is an etymology podcast hosted by Carolyn Lieberman & Portia Nagano. We explore the quirky, interesting, and surprising origins of words. We also dabble with portmanteaus ... more

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FAQs about What In The Word:

How many episodes does What In The Word have?

The podcast currently has 64 episodes available.

What In The Word episodes:

April 06, 202120 - Big Feet, Luscious Locks
Have you ever wondered what Big Foot would look like if you gave them a good shampoo? Well, this week's episode will arm you with the knowledge to ponder that wonderful thought. Join us as we learn about one persistent little nugget named Peter and the hair care practices of the ancient world.

You can find us on Instagram @WhatInTheWordPod to stay up to date on all the latest news, polls, and otherwise funny photos.
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Carolyn's Sources:
http://www.native-languages.org/sasquatch.htm

http://languagehat.com/sasquatch/

tp://www.native-languages.org/sasquatch.htm

http://languagehat.com/sasquatch/

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chehalis,_British_Columbia

https://www.oregonencyclopedia.org/articles/bigfoot_sasquatch_legend/#.YC5FXWj7Tcs

https://mysteriesofcanada.com/bc/how-the-sasquatch-got-its-name/

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Patterson%E2%80%93Gimlin_film

https://www.cnbc.com/2019/06/05/fbi-tested-bigfoot-hair-in-1970s-government-documents-show.html

https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/weird-news/bigfoot-10-things-you-need-1847697

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yowie
...more
49min
March 30, 2021 Special Guests: LMAYAQ Podcast
This week's episode is super special. We have our pals Anthony De Angelis and Greg Baldwin (aka THE Gregaman) from LMAYAQ on the show. We talk about some of our favorite and least favorite words and introduce our new guest segment: Love It Or Loathe It. Be sure to follow them @lmayaqpod on all social media and tune into their show (they just dropped a new episode today). If you want to listen, we were on their show as well, episode 218.
You can find us on Instagram @WhatInTheWordPod, @portianagano, or @carolventures.
To listen to all our episodes you can head to our archives on Anchor.fm, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, & Stitcher.
Theme music: I'm on a Roll by Grace Mesa
Anchor Ad music: Funkorama by Kevin MacLeod
Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/3788-funkorama
License: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license
...more
1h 14min
March 24, 2021WITW Short 19 - Hot Eggs
It's a heavily food-related episode this week! Grab your white gloves out and pucker up, because we're talking about the historical rise of hot dogs and what the deal is about sucking eggs. Send us pictures of your grandma, friends.

You can find us on Instagram @WhatInTheWordPod, @portianagano, or @carolventures.
Carolyn's Sources:
https://wordhistories.net/2016/10/12/teach-grandmother-to-suck-eggs/

https://www.grammarphobia.com/blog/2017/04/suck-eggs.html

https://english.stackexchange.com/questions/185777/what-is-the-origin-of-go-suck-an-egg

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Teaching_grandmother_to_suck_eggs#:~:text=Teaching%20(your)%20grandmother%20to%20suck,so%20than%20the%20first%20person).

https://wordsuitcase.substack.com/p/suck-egg-grannies

https://idiomorigins.org/origin/teach-your-grandmother-to-suck-eggs

https://etymologyotd.wordpress.com/2019/09/19/phrase-origin-teaching-your-grandma-to-suck-eggs-3/
Portia's Sources:

To listen to all our episodes you can head to our archives on Anchor.fm, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, & Stitcher.
Theme music: I'm on a Roll by Grace Mesa
Anchor Ad music: Funkorama by Kevin MacLeod
Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/3788-funkorama
License: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license
...more
20min
March 16, 202119 - School Subjects
Hello, friends! This week we are talking about Algebra and AAVE (or Ebonics). Did you have a favorite school subject? Drop us a comment and let us know.
You can find us on Instagram @WhatInTheWordPod, @portianagano, or @carolventures.
Carolyn's Sources:
http://www.personal.psu.edu/ecb5/Courses/M475W/WeeklyReadings/Week%2015/Before17thCentury.pdf

https://www.storyofmathematics.com/islamic_alkhwarizmi.html

https://www.jstor.org/stable/2299605?seq=1

https://www.tutorialathome.in/gk/origin-of-the-word-algebra

https://3010tangents.wordpress.com/2014/09/17/the-father-of-algebra-al-khwarizmi-or-diophantus/

https://academic.oup.com/philmat/article/14/3/287/1462575
Portia's Sources:
https://highline.huffingtonpost.com/articles/en/ebonics/

https://www.linguisticsociety.org/content/what-ebonics-african-american-english

https://thehbcufoundation.org/
To listen to all our episodes you can head to our archives on Anchor.fm, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, & Stitcher.

Theme music: I'm on a Roll by Grace Mesa
Anchor Ad music: Funkorama by Kevin MacLeod
Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/3788-funkorama
License: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license
...more
49min
March 09, 2021WITW Short 18 - Bros On Ice
We have our very first sponsored segment! If you have any feedback that would be very much appreciated. This week we're covering the history of zambonis, ice skating, and winter sports AND we explore some of the top bromances through time.
You can find us on Instagram @WhatInTheWordPod, @portianagano, or @carolventures.
Carolyn's Sources:
http://www.paramounticeland.net

https://www.mentalfloss.com/article/24700/making-ice-nice-1949-brief-history-zamboni#:~:text=Who%20invented%20the%20Zamboni%3F,used%20his%20family%20name%20instead

https://www.cleveland.com/entertainment/2015/03/5_things_about_the_zamboni_-_h.html

https://www.pasttimeshistory.com/skates-dutch-hats-and-wooden-shoes/

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elfstedentocht

Portia's Sources:
https://www.esquire.com/entertainment/a26282/bromance-history/

https://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=Bromance

https://simple.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bromance
To listen to all our episodes you can head to our archives on Anchor.fm, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, & Stitcher.
Theme music: I'm on a Roll by Grace Mesa
Anchor Ad music: Funkorama by Kevin MacLeod
Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/3788-funkorama
License: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license
...more
28min
March 02, 202118 - Molten Muppets
Happy March, dear listeners. This week we learn all about volcanoes and marionette puppets (muppets)! Our favorite, Pliny the Elder makes an appearance in this episode. Anyone else think we should roast him?
As we approach our one-year anniversary, we want to know what y'all want to hear! Let us know at [email protected] or send us a DM on Instagram @WhatInTheWordPod, @portianagano, or @carolventures.
Have a fantastic week!
Carolyn's Sources:
https://www.volcanocafe.org/by-any-other-name-the-story-of-the-word-volcano/

https://eu.usatoday.com/story/news/2018/06/04/volcano-eruption-5-deadliest-volcanoes-history/669695002/

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Decade_Volcanoes

https://blogs.agu.org/magmacumlaude/2012/04/10/volcanology-etymology/

https://planbee.com/blogs/news/facts-about-volcanoes-for-children-and-teachers
Portia's Sources:
https://americanhistory.si.edu/blog/meet-muppets

https://barkpost.com/discover/first-muppet-dog/

https://www.sesameworkshop.org/who-we-are/our-history
To listen to all our episodes you can head to our archives on Anchor.fm, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, & Stitcher.
Theme music: I'm on a Roll by Grace Mesa
Anchor Ad music: Funkorama by Kevin MacLeod
Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/3788-funkorama
License: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license
...more
50min
February 23, 2021 WITW Short 17 - Riot In The Boonies
Pod-friends! How are you doing this week? Our lovely co-host Carolyn had a birthday this weekend! Be sure to shower her in belated bday love. This week's short covers the surprising military history of "the boonies" and shares the events that unfolded during the LA Riots. We hope you're well, safe, and always keeping an open mind. A couple of resources are listed below, but we will be sure to share more later in the week. See you next week!
LA 92:
https://www.netflix.com/title/80184131
Petition For Latasha:
https://www.change.org/p/eric-garcetti-arrest-latasha-harlin-s-murderer --
Theme music: I'm on a Roll by Grace Mesa
Anchor Ad music: Funkorama by Kevin MacLeod
Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/3788-funkorama
License: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license
...more
25min
February 16, 2021 17 - Guscle!
Well the audio on this one... Woof. Portia will get a better setup ASAP, life is just busy right now. But we have another full episode for you this week! Carolyn teaches us about the Creole roots of Gumbo and the versatility of okra. Portia talks about muscles, mussels, and mice (Try to link those together)
Have a wonderful week, listeners!
--
Theme music: I'm on a Roll by Grace Mesa
Anchor Ad music: Funkorama by Kevin MacLeod
Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/3788-funkorama
License: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license
...more
35min
February 09, 2021 WITW Short 16 - Simping For Botox
Another short, dear listeners. Today we are talking all about simps - is it an insult or a compliment? Please weigh in. We'll also be chatting about the origins of Botox and play a little guessing game around the topic. It's wild out there for the Asian community right now. Stay safe out there, friends. --
Theme music: I'm on a Roll by Grace Mesa
Anchor Ad music: Funkorama by Kevin MacLeod
Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/3788-funkorama
License: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license
...more
37min
February 02, 2021 16 - A-Maze-Ing Knights
Hello, beautiful listeners! This week we are talking about chivalric code and the history of clues! Do you think chivalry is dead? Does the topic even have a place in the era of online dating and Love Island? Who's to say.
We need your help with those big bubba five-star reviews! They really help us boost our show and help others discover us. Please show us some love and leave us a review. Thank you, friends and fam.
Have a wonderful week, we appreciate you.
Carolyn + Portia
...more
41min

FAQs about What In The Word:

How many episodes does What In The Word have?

The podcast currently has 64 episodes available.