What In The Word

What In The Word

By Portia Nagano & Carolyn LiebermanHistory
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What In The Word episodes

  • WITW Short 15 - No Such Thing As Lazy Tetris

    Last week of January! How has your 2021 been? I know we've only been trucking along for a month, but we hope it's an improvement from the year about which we do not speak. This week Carolyn teaches us about the fun history of Tetris (and most importantly learns about Animal Crossing) and Portia reads you an anecdote from Reddit. 

    Also, what do we call you, dear audience? What do you want your collective name to be? Send us some suggestions or requests. We love to read them. 

    Have a great week and happy listening,

    Carolyn + Portia

    25 min
  • 15 - Irish I Had Some Bananas

    This is a late one! (Originally recorded in July) This week we learn the history of paddywagon and dive into some banana facts! Are you a banana bread bud? A banana pancake pal? WHAT ARE YOU? Let us know.

    Also, we have a major ask: Friends. Will you please leave us a 5 star rating? On any platform? On every platform? It really helps us out!

    35 min
  • Special Australian Episode

    This was our first guest interview, so we were still working out the kinks (sorry for the audio quality). But we were over the moon to chat with a couple of Carolyn's Australian pals, Bella and Dan! We learned all about marsupials, Captain Cook, and the importance of supporting indigenous individuals. We will link all of the books they listed on our website. 

    1 hr 3 min
  • WITW Short 14 - Omg, Sext!

    Welcome to 2021, friends! We're easing back into the swing of things with a short! What is your first reaction to receiving a sext? Is it a coy reply or a breathy "omg?" This episode covers the salacious sending of... special pics and a common reaction to them. We hope you're ready to start this week fresh and dive into some juicy content. Without further ado, we present WITW Short 15 - Omg, Sext!

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    Send us suggestions and your weird dating stories at [email protected].

    Visit our website to learn more about your hosts: whatinthewordpod.com

    We release episodes every Tuesday on Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, Spotify., and the Anchor player. 


    Carolyn's Sources:

    • https://wordhistories.net/2016/06/27/omg/
    • https://www.britannica.com/biography/John-Arbuthnot-Fisher-1st-Baron-Fisher
    • https://pages.cpsc.ucalgary.ca/~crwth/LOL.html
    • https://www.macmillandictionary.com/buzzword/entries/pwned.html
    • https://www.digitaltrends.com/gaming/noob-newbie-word-origins/
    • 31 min
    • Bonus Episode: Toasting To 2021!

      Hello friends! 2020 has been a tumultuous year, but we hope we've brought you a little levity, a little information, and a whole bunch of learnin' (sorry). Thank you for your support of our little show - we have great stuff planned for you in the new year. This week's episode covers the sweet sentiment of Auld Lang Syne and the accidental discovery of champagne. Let's finish the week out strong. Cheers to you, listeners!


      Tell us your new year's celebrations at [email protected]! If you need some quiet time away from the family, check us out on Anchor. We are also available to listen on Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, and Spotify.


      Carolyn's Sources:

      • https://www.scotland.org/features/the-history-and-words-of-auld-lang-syne
      • https://www.scotland.org/features/hogmanay-top-facts
      • https://heavy.com/news/2016/12/auld-lang-syne-meaning-lyrics-new-years-eve-day-song-words-2017-robert-burns
      • https://www.vox.com/2015/12/31/10685188/auld-old-lang-syne-meaning-lyrics
      • https://nerdgeist.com/2019/12/31/ten-facts-about-auld-lang-syne/
      • https://www.wanderlust.co.uk/content/9-new-years-eve-traditions/
      • 31 min
      • 14 - Happy Christmahannukah!

        Happy Hanukkah, Merry Christmas, happy ambiguous corporate holiday! It's a What In The Word Holiday Extravaganza featuring some Hanukkah history and Santa evolutions. Excuse Portia's allergy attack mid-episode. We made it to December, y'all. Stay strong! 

        40 min
      • WITW Short 13 - All Aboot Storms and Disease

        Portia said December 1st, but she doesn't know what she's doing. Lockdown, am I right? This week we learn all aboot how tropical storms and diseases are named. We also discuss the origins of "aboot" and receive a quick reminder that AIRBUD IS A GOLDEN RETRIEVER AND WE WILL NEVER MAKE THAT ERROR AGAIN. Phew. Anyway, stay healthy, stay informed, let's get this bread (and vaccine). 

        20 min
      • 13 - Getting Baked On The 5

        Hey hey hey, it's the second week of December! We're trucking along this month and this week's episode is all the way back from August! That seems like a lifetime ago. Carolyn will teach you all about SIG alerts and Portia talks about baked goods. (Generally speaking. She had a rough week and didn't pick a singular word.) 

        Have you seen our gorgeous updated website at www.whatinthewordpod.com? No more .wordpress, baby! Check it out and shoot us some episode suggestions at [email protected]

        21 min
      • WITW Short 12 - EGOT These Sweet Kicks

        This week we gush over Lin Manuel Miranda and that's all you need to know. But really, tune in if you want to hear Portia's monotone voice and the story behind Adidas. Carolyn will also break down the EGOT acronym and teach you about some spin off's of the title.

        We are also on a new hosting platform! Check us out on Anchor. We are also available to listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and Stitcher.

        Follow us on Instagram @whatinthewordpod and send us stories about your favorite teachers, interesting dreams, and favorite Klondike bar flavor at [email protected].

        Be kind to yourself and to others, see you next week!

        23 min
      • 12 - Thanksgiving Special

        Happy Gluttony Day, friends! Today we tell you the true story of Thanksgiving and delve into the origins of cranberries. Carolyn also serves up some interesting turkey day facts to kick off any socially distant celebrations.

        We've switched hosting platforms! You'll still get weekly episodes and typical content, just through a different player. We're still available on Spotify, Stitcher, and Apple Podcasts, and through the player on our site. Thanks for sticking with us!

        53 min

      About What In The Word

      From the publisher's feed

      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 and slang in our episode shorts.