Etymoleon - Word History, the etymology podcast.

In this episode we find out how digital disruptors got their names. From booking travel and managing money to exchanging clothing and finding partners, these websites and apps are at the forefront of ...

9 Feb 202515min

This episode uncovers fancy words that can add a touch of flair to your vocabulary. The word sanguine derives from a term meaning blood; Find out how it came to describe an optimistic disposition and ...

2 Feb 202515min

This time, we're peeling back the layers of skincare etymology. Discover the connection between salicylic acid and aspirin, and the sweet origins of glycolic acid. Iconic skincare brands like Nivea, O...

26 Jan 202514min

This episode goes whole hog into the language of pigs, exploring the origins of terms like hog, farrow, shoat and boar. Discover why a gilt isn't just a government bond, and how an old word for the ba...

19 Jan 202513min

This time, we're unwrapping etymology through the history of Christmas gifting. The word gift in both English and German comes from the same root, though in German it evolved to mean poison. Must-have...

15 Dec 202414min

In this episode, we tune in to the origins of television terms. TV broadcasts date back to the late 1920s, but the first remote control, a wired device called the "lazy bones", arrived in the 1950s. T...

8 Dec 202414min

This time, we're going around the world of words tied to the British Empire, from terms of governance like dominion, protectorate and territory to words describing those settling new lands, such as co...

1 Dec 202415min

This episode uncovers the etymologies behind the names of style icons from screen, stage, catwalk and beyond. Looking into Karl Lagerfeld's last name reveals the reason we call beer lager, while a cab...

24 Nov 202414min