Episode 15 - Sinister
When we describe someone as sinister we think of them as evil, manipulative, and sociopathic; all descriptions of a troubled mental state. However, through most of our recorded history the term was used to characterize our suspicion of left-handedness.
Episode 14 - Nice
Attending a wedding beckons us to put on attire that might be described as ‘nice’. But would you be truer to the origin of the word if you showed up to a fast food restaurant in a tuxedo?
Episode 13 - Dunce
Was the term 'dunce' and the ensuing corporal punishment—the dunce cap—created for dummies, does it derive from the name of a great Scottish thinker?
Episode 12 - Nightmare
Sometimes we wake up in the middle of the night, frightened by some dark and scary imagery conjured up by our subconscious minds. But with each nightmare comes a storied history, involving demons, suffocation, and peony-seed wine.
Guest host: Heather Mingo
Episode 11 - Mortgage
Signing a mortgage can bring long-term joy to your life, giving you a place to live and raise a family. However, in a twisted sense of irony, you may also be signing a death pledge.
Episode 10 - Robot
Do robots make our lives easier, or do they steal our jobs? Regardless of where we may stand on robots, we have a Czech playwright and a popular science fiction writer to thank for this word.
Episode 9 - Tragedy
The word 'tragedy' generally doesn't evoke happy thoughts. But its Greek origin is oddly amusing, stemming from music...and goats.
Episode 8 - Assassin
During the Middle Ages, a group of people living in the mountains of northern Iran gave birth to the world's coolest profession: the assassin. Curiously, they may have carried out their murders while high...
Episode 7 - Cappuccino
Your typical espresso drink gets its name from its ingredients or the way it's made. But one well-known beverage isn't so typical...
Episode 6 - Jog
Getting some exercise with a jog can be a relaxing experience. But to fulfill the historical meaning of this word, hit the pavement with a group of friends and gossip as you watch each other's bodies shake up and down.
Episode 5 - Loophole
If we find ourselves on the right side of a loophole, we thank our lucky stars. But perhaps we should be thanking architects of medieval English castles...
Episode 4 - Geek
You might think of a geek as a socially awkward outcast who knows too much about computers. But there's a surprisingly disturbing origin to this word—and an equally bizarre connection to a legendary rock star!
https://www.beforewordspodcast.com/
Join us as we take a dive into words with unique etymologies. If you have any recommendations please post it on our page. Enjoy!
