The origins of the alphabet
Let's explore the mysteries of our weird alphabet. Rob and Jess are joined by Danny Bate, author of Why Q Needs U, to discuss where our letters came from and why they make the noises they make.🅰️ How...
20 Mai 41min
Who should you hit with a 'slapstick'? | COMEDY WORDS
Rob and Jess are guffawing their way through a world of comedic words. 🎭 What does 'comedy' literally mean?🤡 Who should you hit with a 'slapstick'?🥄 What was a spoof? (It's not a type of spoon)Thes...
13 Mai 41min
The Arabic words hiding in English
Rob and Jess are exploring the Arabic words hiding in English.🛜 Who was the original ‘algorithm’ named after?🥷 How did ‘assassins’ get their name?🔢 Why does English use Arabic numerals?These questi...
6 Mai 48min
What was so "complex" about Oedipus? | PSYCHOLOGY TERMS
This episode is all in the mind, as Rob and Jess explore the origins of psychological terms.💕 What did Oedipus doe to his mother?🛋️ What did Sigmund Freud actually believe?😳 What is "catagelaphobia...
29 Apr 45min
The literal meaning of 'tiramisu' | WORLD FOODS
Rob and Jess are touring the world and translating the names of popular foods.🍝 What does "chow mein" mean?👅 Which pasta is "little tongues"?🌭 What is a Frankfurter called in Frankfurt?These curiou...
22 Apr 45min
Why is a false clue a "red herring"? | IDIOM ORIGINS
Rob and Jess explore the origins of common sayings in another episode dedicated to the stories behind idioms.🐟 What was the first "red herring"?🪿 Is there a goose in a "wild goose chase"?👮 Why is p...
15 Apr 43min
Why does Berlin mean 'swamp'? | CITY NAME ORIGINS
What's in a names? Jess and Rob are exploring why major cities are called what they're called and what their names literally mean.🇩🇪 Why does BERLIN mean 'swamp'?🇯🇵 Why are KYOTO and TOKYO anagram...
8 Apr 47min
Why do Brits eat their entrees first? ? UK v US ENGLISH
Rob and Jess are engaged in another transatlantic war of words, pitting their British and American accents against one another.🍽️ Why do Brits eat their entrees first?👰🏽 Why do Americans pronounce ...
31 Mar 42min
