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Etymoleon - Word History, etymology

By: Leon Bailey-Green
  • Summary

  • Etymoleon, a weekly 15 minute etymology podcast, gets into the world of word history and origins. Join Leon as he researches and explores the historical and linguistic roots of words, names and phrases tied to diverse topics.

    Without expertise in linguistics or history, Leon assumes the role of an avid researcher, presenting analyses of how words have evolved over time.

    Each episode unveils the journey of words, dissecting their transformations and connections to various languages such as Old English, Ancient Greek, Latin, Old French, Proto-Germanic and many more.

    Expect a linguistic exploration but also snippets of historical events linked to the chosen words.

    New episodes every Sunday.

    Podcast takes a break prior to bank holidays of England & Wales.

    © 2024 Leon Bailey-Green
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Episodes
  • 49. Musical Instruments
    Jul 28 2024

    This episode gets into the origins of musical instrument names, from the guitar and ukulele to the harmonica, saxophone, drum and more. Learn how the saxophone got its name from its inventor, whose surname, Sax, is locational, tracing to Saxony. The Theremin is another instrument named after its creator. Discover Benjamin Franklin's surprising connection to the word 'harmonica', the etymological link between the oboe and the word bouquet, and the royal connection behind the phrase "blowing your own trumpet".

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    13 mins
  • 48. Pharmaceuticals
    Jul 21 2024

    This episode uncovers etymology related to the pharmaceutical industry. Learn how Ozempic and Tylenol got their names, as well as pharmaceutical giants like Roche and Pfizer. Pfizer, for instance, is an occupational surname rooted in a Latin word meaning "baker". Find out how a male enhancement drug might be named after a Sanskrit word meaning "tiger" or designed to evoke the word "vigour". Additionally, we trace the word "placebo" back to a Latin word meaning "to please" and look at the origins of terms like "mongering", "gouging" and "lobbying".

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    16 mins
  • 47. Summer
    Jul 14 2024

    In this episode, we uncover the origins of words related to the summer season, such as sweltering, holiday, barbecue and scorching. Learn about the dahlia, a flower of the British summer season, named after Swedish botanist Anders Dahl, who shares a surname with the famous author Roald Dahl. The name means "valley" with the English variant being "dale". Discover why the sunscreen brand Piz Buin is named after a mountain and how "al fresco" has a very different meaning in Italian slang compared to its English usage of dining outdoors.

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    16 mins

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