Etymoleon - Word History, the etymology podcast.

This episode traces the origins of names from classic novels and theatre plays, uncovering the stories behind characters and their creators. You may not recognise the name Charles Lutwidge Dodgson, bu...

6 Apr 202514min

This episode traces the origins of animal names, from the orangutan, whose name has nothing to do with its fur colour, to the pangolin, named for its ability to curl into a ball. Discover the etymolog...

30 Mar 202515min

This time we're tracing the origins of money-related terms, uncovering their connections to history. Learn how the word dollar links back to a Czech town and the alternative names once considered for ...

23 Mar 202516min

This episode looks at the origins of words linked to comedy, tracing the etymology behind terms like fun, amuse, slapstick, wit and giggle. Discover why humour and humid share a Latin root meaning wet...

16 Mar 202513min

This episode explores how diseases and disorders came to be named after people and places, tracing the origins of surnames, locations and the medical discoveries. Learn how Alzheimer's, Huntington's, ...

9 Mar 202530min

Starting with why Americans call cookies what the British call biscuits, this episode unpacks the etymology of biscuit related terms. Classic British biscuits like custard creams, digestives, Jaffa ca...

2 Mar 202513min

This episode traces the meanings and origins of names beginning with E. The biblical Elias is related to Joel and Elliott, while Elizabeth has given us variations like Elspeth and Elsie. The name Enzo...

23 Feb 202513min

This episode gets into the mythological roots that are embedded in our everyday vocabulary. From narcissism to nemesis to Achilles' heel, the tales of ancient societies shapes the way we speak. Explor...

16 Feb 202513min