Episodes

  • Episode 12 - Yetimology (Cryptids)

    Episode 12 - Yetimology (Cryptids)
    Apr 7 2022

    Anna and James return to investigate the uncanny world of cryptozoology - at least, in linguistic terms, we're not doing anything that might actually put us in danger or need actual work. In this episode we learn what Yetis eat, find a better name for Stonehenge, and find out that the words beast, animal and deer all derive from the same idea - but which language do we struggle to pronounce more, Cornish or Amharic? And can we finally fix the Loch Ness Monster's branding problem?



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    29 mins
  • Episode 11 - That was an episode of Star Trek (Pastries)

    Episode 11 - That was an episode of Star Trek (Pastries)
    Mar 5 2022
    In the post(ish) COVID world, there is one again room for word-based musings and meanderings. That's right, Anna and James are back with a new episode looking at your favourite baked goods. What does a croissant have to do with a crèche? What the hell is a Bedford Clanger? And what would YOU call a cookie if you had to come up with a new name for it? All this and more. Much more. Well not that much.

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    29 mins
  • Crabcast - Episode 389 (April 1st 2021)

    Crabcast - Episode 389 (April 1st 2021)
    Apr 1 2021

    Crabcast - Episode 389 April 1st 2021

    Opening Music: Deep And Dirty by Kevin MacLeod Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/5045-deep-and-dirty License: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

    Cover Art Crab photo by Fiatlux Link: https://www.flickr.com/photos/fiatlux/12687848894/ License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/2.0/


    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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    14 mins
  • Episode 10 - The Original Nymphomaniac (Greek Names)

    Episode 10 - The Original Nymphomaniac (Greek Names)
    Jan 28 2021
    Back for a second season (ahem) of etymological excitement, James and Anna have been playing Hades and that's why this month's episode digs into Greek myths to discover everything there is to know about the universal antidote, tricking your way out of the underworld and being given a permanent but useless erection because someone else chose the wrong winner in a beauty contest.

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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    27 mins
  • Episode 9 - After Judge Dredd, Before Star Trek (Architecture)

    Episode 9 - After Judge Dredd, Before Star Trek (Architecture)
    Jun 14 2020
    It's time to get technical as James and Anna look at the language of architecture. What has brutalism got to do with being smart? What distinguishes a gargoyle from a grotesque? Can James correctly answer ten questions about castles with no preparation? And will Anna let James coin a new Greek/Latin monstrosity without making a big deal of it?

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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    35 mins
  • Episode 8 - The Gentleman's Game (Sports)

    Episode 8 - The Gentleman's Game (Sports)
    May 8 2020
    This week Anna and James use their mutual love of sport (and more specifically, the not playing of it) as a springboard for their etymological enquiries. What does boxing have to do with boxes? What has fencing got to do with fences? And what has snooker got to do with snooks? Discover the answers to these questions and more on this episode.

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    34 mins
  • Episode 7 - A Punk Version of Monopoly (Board Games)

    Episode 7 - A Punk Version of Monopoly (Board Games)
    Apr 17 2020
    Yahtzee! And indeed, chess. That's right, in this episode we investigate the origins of the oldest game. No, not that one, board games only. Anna digs into exactly why it is that Monopoly is so dull, James finds out what mahjong has to do with sparrows, and later on we propose a change the name of Scrabble that would, at least, make it easier to score higher with.

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    32 mins
  • Episode 6 - Beethoven Cinematic Universe (Dog Breeds)

    Episode 6 - Beethoven Cinematic Universe (Dog Breeds)
    Apr 3 2020
    What's up, dog? Anna, James and special guest Katie investigate the strange world of dog breeds. Who was St. Bernard? What have puppies got to do with butterflies? And can we possibly track down the person who named the Olde English Bull Dogge and give them a stern talking to?

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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    37 mins