Word Jazz

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We create short podcasts that go into the depths of how weird words, slang and expressions are!

Word Jazz


    • Oct 23, 2017 LATEST EPISODE
    • infrequent NEW EPISODES
    • 15m AVG DURATION
    • 24 EPISODES


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    Latest episodes from Word Jazz

    12 - Ew, WW1 Cooties!

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 23, 2017 19:03


    This episode is our first WW1 special, we go into the history of cooties, basket case, booby trap and over the top. Taylor and Sam dig deep into the trenches of other gross words like "trench foot." Heads up, some mild adult language is mentioned the last 5 minutes. References: https://www.phrases.org.uk/meanings/56500.htmlhttp://www.slate.com/blogs/lexicon_valley/2015/11/06/where_did_the_word_cooties_come_from.htmlhttps://www.phrases.org.uk%2Fmeanings%2Fover-the-top.htmlhttps://www.phrases.org.uk/meanings/71000.html

    12 - Ew, WW1 Cooties!

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 23, 2017 19:03


    This episode is our first WW1 special, we go into the history of cooties, basket case, booby trap and over the top. Taylor and Sam dig deep into the trenches of other gross words like "trench foot." Heads up, some mild adult language is mentioned the last 5 minutes. References: https://www.phrases.org.uk/meanings/56500.htmlhttp://www.slate.com/blogs/lexicon_valley/2015/11/06/where_did_the_word_cooties_come_from.htmlhttps://www.phrases.org.uk%2Fmeanings%2Fover-the-top.htmlhttps://www.phrases.org.uk/meanings/71000.html

    11 - Jam-packed

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 2, 2017 14:52


    Sam and Taylor sit down to discuss the origins of traffic jam, jam sessions, Pajamas and other random jam-isms. Also learn what onamonapias are!References:http://www.word-detective.com/2011/09/jam/ http://fashion-history.lovetoknow.com/clothing-types-styles/origins-pajamas

    11 - Jam-packed

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 2, 2017 14:52


    Sam and Taylor sit down to discuss the origins of traffic jam, jam sessions, Pajamas and other random jam-isms. Also learn what onamonapias are!References:http://www.word-detective.com/2011/09/jam/ http://fashion-history.lovetoknow.com/clothing-types-styles/origins-pajamas

    10 - Pirate Sayings That ARRRn't Real

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 11, 2017 16:39


    What are the 11 parts to the Pirate code? Taylor and Sam also discuss whether "shiver me timbers", "scallywag" and "walk the plank" were actually used by pirates. Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/wordjazz/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/word_jazz/Twitter: https://twitter.com/wordjazzpodcast/References: http://www.historyextra.com/qa/pirate-history-origin-meaning-shiver-me%20timbers-why-sayhttp://www.word-detective.com/2010/03/scallywag/http://www.phrases.org.uk/meanings/walk-the-plank.htmlhttp://www.todayifoundout.com/index.php/2013/08/pirates-rarely-made-people-walk-the-plank/https://ore.exeter.ac.uk/repository/bitstream/handle/10871/14872/FoxE.pdf?sequence=1&isAllowed=y

    10 - Pirate Sayings That ARRRn't Real

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 11, 2017 16:39


    What are the 11 parts to the Pirate code? Taylor and Sam also discuss whether "shiver me timbers", "scallywag" and "walk the plank" were actually used by pirates. Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/wordjazz/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/word_jazz/Twitter: https://twitter.com/wordjazzpodcast/References: http://www.historyextra.com/qa/pirate-history-origin-meaning-shiver-me%20timbers-why-sayhttp://www.word-detective.com/2010/03/scallywag/http://www.phrases.org.uk/meanings/walk-the-plank.htmlhttp://www.todayifoundout.com/index.php/2013/08/pirates-rarely-made-people-walk-the-plank/https://ore.exeter.ac.uk/repository/bitstream/handle/10871/14872/FoxE.pdf?sequence=1&isAllowed=y

    9 - An Insulting Episode

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 1, 2017 17:19


    This week we get into some friendly insults with not very friendly origins. Featured word this show are Smart Alec, Nimrod and Dunce! Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/wordjazz/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/word_jazz/Twitter: https://twitter.com/wordjazzpodcastReferences:http://www.todayifoundout.com/index.php/2017/01/origin-word-dunce/http://www.phrases.org.uk/bulletin_board/13/messages/1497.htmlhttps://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/nimrodhttps://www.biblegateway.com/quicksearch/?quicksearch=nimrod&qs_version=GNV

    9 - An Insulting Episode

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 1, 2017 17:19


    This week we get into some friendly insults with not very friendly origins. Featured word this show are Smart Alec, Nimrod and Dunce! Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/wordjazz/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/word_jazz/Twitter: https://twitter.com/wordjazzpodcastReferences:http://www.todayifoundout.com/index.php/2017/01/origin-word-dunce/http://www.phrases.org.uk/bulletin_board/13/messages/1497.htmlhttps://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/nimrodhttps://www.biblegateway.com/quicksearch/?quicksearch=nimrod&qs_version=GNV

    8 - Them Bones

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 25, 2017 14:33


    Did you know Leonardo da Vinci was very likely a grave robber? This week we discuss the "funny bone", "bone To pick", and "skeletons in the closet". Patreon: https://www.instagram.com/word_jazz/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/wordjazz/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/word_jazz/Twitter: https://twitter.com/wordjazzpodcastReferences: http://www.phrases.org.uk/meanings/skeleton-in-the-closet.htmlhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Body_snatchinghttp://www.word-detective.com/2012/01/funny-bonehttp://www.phrases.org.uk/bulletin_board/30/messages/2181.htmlhttps://www.reddit.com/r/etymology/comments/3cg1b9/origin_of_the_phrase_bone_to_pick/

    8 - Them Bones

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 25, 2017 14:33


    Did you know Leonardo da Vinci was very likely a grave robber? This week we discuss the "funny bone", "bone To pick", and "skeletons in the closet". Patreon: https://www.instagram.com/word_jazz/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/wordjazz/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/word_jazz/Twitter: https://twitter.com/wordjazzpodcastReferences: http://www.phrases.org.uk/meanings/skeleton-in-the-closet.htmlhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Body_snatchinghttp://www.word-detective.com/2012/01/funny-bonehttp://www.phrases.org.uk/bulletin_board/30/messages/2181.htmlhttps://www.reddit.com/r/etymology/comments/3cg1b9/origin_of_the_phrase_bone_to_pick/

    7 - Birdisode

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 17, 2017 13:20


    Did you know the canary bird is named from the Island of the Dogs? Sam & Taylor also discover of the myth of where a crow's nest is originated and find kinder alternatives to killing two birds with one stone. Leave us a review and subscribe on Apple Podcasts: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/word-jazz/id1260284837?mt=2References: Allen's Dictionary of English Phraseshttp://www.worldwidewords.org/qa/qa-ast1.htmhttps://www.qlanguage.com.hk/kill-two-birds-with-one-stone/Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/wordjazzFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/wordjazz/Twitter: https://twitter.com/wordjazzpodcastInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/word_jazz/

    7 - Birdisode

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 17, 2017 13:20


    Did you know the canary bird is named from the Island of the Dogs? Sam & Taylor also discover of the myth of where a crow's nest is originated and find kinder alternatives to killing two birds with one stone. Leave us a review and subscribe on Apple Podcasts: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/word-jazz/id1260284837?mt=2References: Allen's Dictionary of English Phraseshttp://www.worldwidewords.org/qa/qa-ast1.htmhttps://www.qlanguage.com.hk/kill-two-birds-with-one-stone/Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/wordjazzFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/wordjazz/Twitter: https://twitter.com/wordjazzpodcastInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/word_jazz/

    6 - The Blues

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 7, 2017 10:54


    The Word Jazz crew talks our first color-related episode. Included in this episode is "caught red handed", "green with envy", and the Blues! References:http://mentalfloss.com/article/33503/where-did-phrase-caught-red-handed-come"Who Put the Butter in Butterfly" by David Feldmanhttp://www.huffingtonpost.com/debra-devi/blues-music-history_b_2399330.htmlWebsite: wordjazzpodcast.comPatreon: patreon.com/wordjazzFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/wordjazz/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/word_jazz/Twitter: https://twitter.com/wordjazzpodcastMusic: https://animalmidnight.bandcamp.com/

    6 - The Blues

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 7, 2017 10:54


    The Word Jazz crew talks our first color-related episode. Included in this episode is "caught red handed", "green with envy", and the Blues! References:http://mentalfloss.com/article/33503/where-did-phrase-caught-red-handed-come"Who Put the Butter in Butterfly" by David Feldmanhttp://www.huffingtonpost.com/debra-devi/blues-music-history_b_2399330.htmlWebsite: wordjazzpodcast.comPatreon: patreon.com/wordjazzFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/wordjazz/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/word_jazz/Twitter: https://twitter.com/wordjazzpodcastMusic: https://animalmidnight.bandcamp.com/

    5 - CAKE (not the band)

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 31, 2017 22:04


    Etymology gets racist this episode. It's all about cake-related phrases: "Cakewalk", "Piece of Cake" and "You Can't Have Your Cake and Eat it Too". Plus the Unabomber!Sources: http://www.stuffyoushouldknow.com/blogs/cake-walk-the-strange-origin-of-an-unwittingly-prejudiced-term.htmhttp://www.phrases.org.uk/meanings/piece-of-cake.html http://www.nytimes.com/2011/02/20/magazine/20FOB-onlanguage-t.htmlOther links:Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/wordjazz/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/word_jazz/Twitter: https://twitter.com/wordjazzpodcastIntro Music: https://animalmidnight.bandcamp.com/

    5 - CAKE (not the band)

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 31, 2017 22:04


    Etymology gets racist this episode. It's all about cake-related phrases: "Cakewalk", "Piece of Cake" and "You Can't Have Your Cake and Eat it Too". Plus the Unabomber!Sources: http://www.stuffyoushouldknow.com/blogs/cake-walk-the-strange-origin-of-an-unwittingly-prejudiced-term.htmhttp://www.phrases.org.uk/meanings/piece-of-cake.html http://www.nytimes.com/2011/02/20/magazine/20FOB-onlanguage-t.htmlOther links:Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/wordjazz/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/word_jazz/Twitter: https://twitter.com/wordjazzpodcastIntro Music: https://animalmidnight.bandcamp.com/

    4 - Cat Expressions Part 2

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 26, 2017 15:24


    Part 2 of 2. Things get even more gruesome as we talk about cat corpse related phrases such as "skinning a dead cat." Other phrases include raining cats and dogs, and curiosity killed the cat!Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/wordjazzDonorbox: https://donorbox.org/support-word-jazziTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/2-the-birds-and-the-bees-knees/id1260284837?i=1000390041611&mt=2Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/wordjazz/Twitter: https://twitter.com/wordjazzpodcastInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/word_jazz/References: http://www.phrases.org.uk/meanings/curiosity-killed-the-cat.htmlhttp://www.worldwidewords.org/qa/qa-mor1.htmhttp://www.worldwidewords.org/qa/qa-rai1.htmhttp://www.encyclopedia.com/philosophy-and-religion/ancient-religions/ancient-religion/odin

    4 - Cat Expressions Part 2

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 26, 2017 15:24


    Part 2 of 2. Things get even more gruesome as we talk about cat corpse related phrases such as "skinning a dead cat." Other phrases include raining cats and dogs, and curiosity killed the cat!Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/wordjazzDonorbox: https://donorbox.org/support-word-jazziTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/2-the-birds-and-the-bees-knees/id1260284837?i=1000390041611&mt=2Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/wordjazz/Twitter: https://twitter.com/wordjazzpodcastInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/word_jazz/References: http://www.phrases.org.uk/meanings/curiosity-killed-the-cat.htmlhttp://www.worldwidewords.org/qa/qa-mor1.htmhttp://www.worldwidewords.org/qa/qa-rai1.htmhttp://www.encyclopedia.com/philosophy-and-religion/ancient-religions/ancient-religion/odin

    3 - Cat Expressions Part 1

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 25, 2017 14:13


    Part 1 of 2! Taylor and Sam talk about eating tongues and get confused by directions. iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/2-the-birds-and-the-bees-knees/id1260284837?i=1000390041611&mt=2Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/wordjazz/Twitter: https://twitter.com/wordjazzpodcastInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/word_jazz/References:http://www.etymonline.com/index.php?term=catcallhttp://www.innovateus.net/innopedia/what-origin-cat-callhttp://www.todayifoundout.com/index.php/2014/04/origins-kitty-corner-catawampus-cat-words/https://www.petcentric.com/03-04-2014/cat-got-your-tongue-where-in-the-world-did-this-phrase-come-from/

    3 - Cat Expressions Part 1

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 25, 2017 14:13


    Part 1 of 2! Taylor and Sam talk about eating tongues and get confused by directions. iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/2-the-birds-and-the-bees-knees/id1260284837?i=1000390041611&mt=2Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/wordjazz/Twitter: https://twitter.com/wordjazzpodcastInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/word_jazz/References:http://www.etymonline.com/index.php?term=catcallhttp://www.innovateus.net/innopedia/what-origin-cat-callhttp://www.todayifoundout.com/index.php/2014/04/origins-kitty-corner-catawampus-cat-words/https://www.petcentric.com/03-04-2014/cat-got-your-tongue-where-in-the-world-did-this-phrase-come-from/

    2 - The Birds and the Bees Knees

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 19, 2017 15:15


    Short form podcast about weird word origins! This episode we discuss bee related things, absurd expressions of the 1920's and Harry Potter.-Special thanks to Animal Midnight for the theme: https://animalmidnight.bandcamp.com/Sources: https://www.livescience.com/39316-birds-and-the-bees.htmlhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_birds_and_the_bees

    2 - The Birds and the Bees Knees

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 18, 2017 15:15


    Short form podcast about weird word origins! This episode we discuss bee related things, absurd expressions of the 1920's and Harry Potter.-Special thanks to Animal Midnight for the theme: https://animalmidnight.bandcamp.com/Sources: https://www.livescience.com/39316-birds-and-the-bees.htmlhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_birds_and_the_bees

    1 - Caesar Salad Days

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 16, 2017 15:39


    Short form podcast about weird word origins! This episode we discuss the expressions, "salad days," "in a pickle," and "when life gives you lemons, make lemonade." -Special thanks to Animal Midnight for the theme: https://animalmidnight.bandcamp.com/References: http://www.snopes.com/language/phrase...https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/When_li...http://www.bonappetit.com/entertainin...

    1 - Caesar Salad Days

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 16, 2017 15:39


    Short form podcast about weird word origins! This episode we discuss the expressions, "salad days," "in a pickle," and "when life gives you lemons, make lemonade." -Special thanks to Animal Midnight for the theme: https://animalmidnight.bandcamp.com/References: http://www.snopes.com/language/phrase...https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/When_li...http://www.bonappetit.com/entertainin...

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