Trailer
One word. Two minutes. Every morning.
Your salary is named after salt. "Nightmare" has nothing to do with horses -- a mare was a demon that sat on your chest while you slept. The word "muscle" means "little mouse" in Latin, because that's what a flexing arm looked like to the Romans. "Goodbye" is a contraction of "God be with ye." And "nice" -- nice used to mean stupid.
Every word you speak has a secret history. A story nobody told you. A journey across centuries and continents that ended up in your mouth this morning without you knowing how it got there.
I'm Danny, and The Why of Words is a daily podcast -- one word, two minutes. Every episode pulls back the curtain on a single word or phrase you use every day and reveals the surprising, sometimes ridiculous origin hiding inside it.
New episodes every morning. Two minutes while you brush your teeth, walk the dog, wait for your coffee. Subscribe now on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen -- and tomorrow, you'll never hear the word "salary" the same way again.
This is The Why of Words.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is The Why of Words?
- The Why of Words is a daily etymology podcast hosted by Danny. Each episode takes one word you use every day and reveals the surprising, often strange history behind it -- in about two minutes.
- How often does The Why of Words release new episodes?
- New episodes drop every weekday morning -- one word, two minutes. Short enough to fit into brushing your teeth, walking the dog, or waiting for your coffee.
- Where can I listen to The Why of Words?
- The Why of Words is available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, and wherever you get your podcasts.
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