In each episode you discover the surprising history of how sayings we use today came to be long ago. This show is for you if you are a logophile - meaning of course lover of words - a writer, speaker, philomath, or someone who simply loves history tidbits you can use to amaze and impress friends and family.
Latest episodes
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9 min
"Dressed To The Nines" - Meaning & Origin Plus Words of the Day
In this episode, you discover the meaning and origin of the phrase "Dressed to the Nines". In addition, you learn three words of the day.References: "Dressed to the nines". "Phrase…
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8 min
"A Different Kettle of Fish" - Origin and Meaning Plus Words of the Day
In this episode, you discover the real meaning and origin of the saying, "A different kettle of fish".You also learn the meaning of our two words of the day: Ataraxia and Facsimile…
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11 min
Origin of "Kick the Bucket" and "Bucket List", Plus Words of the Day
You will learn the origins and true meanings of "Kick the Bucket" and "Bucket List". You'll also learn 3 "words of the day" from authoritative dictionaries.---Sources: "Kick the Bu…
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7 min
Origin of "Happy as a Clam" Plus Words of the Day
In this episode, you discover the meaning and history of the saying, "Happy as a Clam". You'll also learn two "Words of the Day".Resource to learn more: "As happy as a clam". Phras…
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9 min
Origin of "Around Robbin Hood's Barn"
In this episode, you discover the meaning and origin of "History of Everyday Sayings". ---Resources:"MEANING AND ORIGIN OF THE PHRASE ‘ROUND ROBIN HOOD’S BARN’". WordHistories.net.…
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13 min
Origin of "A Dog is Man's Best Friend" Plus Words of the Day
In this episode, you discover the history and origin of the saying, "A dog is a man's best friend".---Sources:"Man’s best friend". Phrase Finder". Link: https://www.phrases.org.uk/…
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10 min
Origin and Meaning of "In The Sticks" Plus Words of The Day
In this episode, you discover the origin and historical meaning of the phrase, "In the sticks". In addition, you'll learn the meaning of our three Words of the Day:Mea Culpa Perspi…
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14 min
Origin and Meaning of "Longer Than a Country Mile"
In this episode, you discover the origin and meaning of, "Longer Than a Country Mile". In addition, you'll discover the meaning of two Words of the Day, Gargantuan and Ergophobia.-…
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15 min
Origin and Meaning of "Under My Thumb" Plus Words of the Year
In 1966, the Rolling Stones recorded "Under My Thumb". What is the centuries-old origin of the phrase "Under The Thumb," and why do so many supposed experts get the origin wrong?In…
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10 min
Origin and Meaning of "Red-Handed" Plus Words of the Day
In this episode you discover the origin and meaning of the 600-year old phrase, "Red-Handed" and how it entered Western legal proceedings. ---Resources and citations:"Caught Red-Ha…
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13 min
Meaning and Surprising Origin of "Black Friday" Plus Word of The Day
In this episode you discover the meaning and surprising origin of the phrase, "Black Friday". You'll learn how merchants conspired to change it's negative original connotation to o…
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10 min
Origin and Meaning of "Raising Cain" Plus Word of the Day
In this episode, you discover the origin and true meaning of "Raising Cain".Resources for further study:"What is the meaning of the phrase raising Cain?". GotQuestions.org. Link: h…
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10 min
Origin and Meaning of "Pie in the Sky" Plus Word of The Day
In this episode you discover the true meaning and origin of the phrase, "Pie in the Sky". In addition, you'll discover the meaning of two vocabulary words, Lugubrious and Montage.R…
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10 min
Origin and Meaning of "Paint the Town" Plus Word of the Day
In this episode you discover the true meaning and origin of "Paint the town" and "Paint the town red". ---Sources:"Paint the town red". Phrases.org. Link: https://www.phrases.org.u…
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12 min
Origin and Meaning of "Dead Ringer" Plus Word of the Day
In this episode you discover the true meaning and origin of the saying, "Dead Ringer". You also learn the false persistent myth - spread on Facebook - as to the origin of the phras…
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11 min
Origin and Meaning of "Get Your Ducks in a Row" Plus Word of the Day
In this episode you discover the meaning and reported potential origins of the saying, "Get Your Ducks in a Row". You also discover this episode's "Word of the Day", Magnanimous.So…
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10 min
Origin and Meaning of "Spill the Beans" and "Spill the Tea"
In this episode you discover the origin and true meaning of the sayings, "Spill the Beans" and "Spill the Tea". References for more information:"Where Does the Phrase 'Spilling the…
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9 min
Origin of "Take It With a Grain of Salt"
In this episode, you discover the origin and true meaning of the phrase, "Take it with a grain of salt".---Resources:"Take It With a Grain of Salt | Meaning & Examples". Quilbot.co…
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11 min
Origin and Meaning of "Double Dog Dare"
As youngsters interact, sooner or later one young person will challenge another to do something dangerous, stupid, or pointless. Phrases like, "I dare you", "I double dare you", an…
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9 min
Origin and True Meaning of "A Fly in the Ointment"
In this episode you discover the true meaning and origin of the phrase, "The fly in the ointment".---References:"A fly in the ointmen". "Grammarphobia". Link: https://www.grammarph…