050 - Pound - Panic - live apples

Hey good people, this is episode 50 of this fantabulous podcast and will explain the interesting origins of our words Pound, Panic and love apples.   Love Apples?  what are they?   hmmmmm.  well listen and find out.  No fair telling you since I sent to the trouble of making a podcast, eh?
here is a deep thought at no extra cost:
When the chips are down, the buffalo is empty.

"My bird is sick!"  said Tom illegally


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049 - Symposium - the walls have ears - shellelagh

Welcome to episode 49.  I will explain what really happens at a high-falutin 'Symposium', why we say the walls have ears and the origin of the word shellelagh.

Please listen with discretion and do not use your new knowledge for evil, only for good.

I'm reading a book about anti-gravity and just can't put it down!
How does Moses make his tea?  Hebrews it of course.
I tried to catch some fog but, sadly, I mist.  

These puns brought to you by the Society To Preserve the Pun.

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048 - In One Fell Swoop - Amazon - Cynic

My grandson Samuel salutes my listeners

Episode 48 deals with the philosophical question "How does something happen in One Fell Swoop?"  What is a Fell Swoop? and why is it all alone? I know you have been wondering about these things and so I'm here to ease the angst for all of you by explaining it.   In ONe Fell Swoop.    (hint: there is a bird involved).
Next the reasons why we call something "Amazonian" with a small detour to South America and some nice ladies.  Lastly this episode explains why being cynical is strictly for the dogs.  
Disclaimer: Contents of podcast are liable to be both hot and sticky. Use caution when reading.  Employees must wash hands before returning to the internet.  Others don't need to do that.  

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047 - Dunce, Blockhead, To Have the Upper Hand

I talk about the interesting and kinda sad origin of the word Dunce.  Blockhead is not so interesting but still fun.  

Please remember to speak distinctly when talking to older folk, some of us can't hear too well any more and it's embarrising to keep saying 'Huh?' "what's that again'?  

This has been a public service announcement by the Old Geezer Association.  Now get off my lawn you young whippersnappers!!! 

Keep your candles and dynamite in different drawers to keep from embarrasing situations when it gets dark.  Take it from me!  I know!!!!

 

 

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046 - Climb on the Bandwagon - Boycott

Episode 46 discusses Climbing on the Bandwagon (yeah, I misspelled the file - sorry about that) and the interesting word Boycott.
No witty remarks this time; I'm fresh out.  But I just learned about the word Franking, like in sending mail and it is fascinating.   And of course the phrase 'to be frank'. Gee our language is absolutely littered with nuggets of fun origins.  Perhaps I'll share them next time .... or perhaps not.    Feeling a bit unappreciated right now.  I know noone reads these blurbs or whatever so why write 'em?  <sniff>
My main hobby is recording books for LibriVox.  For free of course, since they are all in the public domain and that is simply tons of fun so I might be focusing more on that instead of this podcast.   Or Pinterest, that is also fun.
NOTE: If laughter persists more than 2 hours after listening, see a doctor.  Anyway, have fun and keep chuckling.

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045 - Backlog - Dead as a Doornail - Boulevard

Episode 45 of this sagatious saga about sayings.  I tackle the wonderful word "backlog".  Why do we have backlogs? Are they real things? And if so, why are they in the back?  Do they every secretly desire to become 'front logs'?    Listen and find out the fascinating origin of this word.  Next I deal with Dead as a Door nail.  An interesting phrase you must admit.  
Some say my podcast is dead as a doornail but I don't believe them.  If it is, what am I to do with the 287 episodes I've got in the can?.
Bouvelard.  Well, this has a nice history and comes from the French rich people wishing to rise above the smells of their respective towns.  Make sense?  It will when you listen.
Disclaimer: Take all of this podcast; it is important to continue listening to the end even if your symptoms go away.
May contain traces of peanuts and/or peanut byproducts and ultimate meaning.  ENJOY!



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Me with our very first grandchild - he entered college today!  wow

044 - Ride roughshod, cesarean section, average, blackmail

This written stuff is totally supurfluous, meaning you don't need to read it, just listen to my melifilous (meaning honeyed) podcast.  (Besides, nobody every reads this stuff <sniff> So why do I care? I'm gonna go over here in the corner and be sad for a bit now.)

But if you insist on reading, the origin of riding roughshod over someone or something has a real and somewhat bloody origin.  Thank goodness we just do it figurtively these days, eh?

Cesarean section - did Julius Caesar enter the world this way?  Well, no, but listen to see how old this phrase is and why we call it that.
Average comes to us from people trying to cut their losses; in other words, spread the cost for shipwrecks and naturally them guys with numbers and abacuses got into the act.  Really cool.  I won't discuss blackmail until someone returns my copy of the Facts On File Word and Phrase Origins (3rd edition) which they are holding for ransom.   The price of three Nachos Bell Grandes seems stiff but worth it.
Be kind to everyone you meet; they are battling demons you know nothing of.
Do not listen to this podcast while under the influence of drugs.  My daughter tells me that should be reversed; I'm not sure.   Do not do drugs while under the influence of this podcast seems kinda silly.    Sorry Sarah.

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043 - Cop - cattycorner - constable

Episode 43 and I still haven't run out of words.  This is amazing.   Today you will learn about the many proble origins of why we call policemen 'cops'; why something diagonally across the street is 'cattycorner' (pronunciation optional); and the origin of the word constable.  (It smells of horses but don't tell them)
NOTE: this information to be taken via ears twice a day; NOT to be inserted into any other bodily orifice without proper equipment.    Discretion should be used while mulling over the jokes; if no discretion is available, please refrain from mulling - at least in public.  
NOTE #2: Mulling is the act of thinking about deep stuff and looking pensive and comes from the Latin meaning "to grind thoroughly, completely" as in "Phill mulled over the questions of life and gumbo".   Please do not confuse this with 'mulling' wine which means to heat it up or something like that ... I'm not really sure.

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042 - Cute - bootlegger - private eye - dont panic

Phil prays for inspiration - or maybe another cup of gumbo - not sure which

This is another example of detailed and careful research resulting in incredible knowledge about words and stuff.  Unfortunately I don't always pass along this knowledge too well but my intentions are good.
the origins of the words 'cute', 'bootlegger' and 'private eye' are explored in amazing lack of depth and clarity but I still had fun recording it.

Disclaimer: contents under pressure, do not incenirate (is that a word?) or puncture.  Unless you want to have fun and watch the whole internet burn you silly person you!
The maker of this podcast is eating nachos bell grande right now and there is NOTHING you can do about it!  Hha ha ha ha  

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041 - Buck - pass the buck - bucaneer - astonish

Well, the title just about says it all, we talk about stuff having to do with Buck; the male deer and some of the words associated with it.  Although bucaneer really isn't connected too much.  well, let's face it; everyting is not clear and perfect in this world, OK?  sometimes things get messy and i am not perfect <sniff>

Forgive me, I'm emotional today and my medication is wearing off.  Anyway, lots more words and lots more phrase origins are coming down the internet in future weeks.

Disclaimer: If visions occur, discontinue use.  Unless they are really cool visions in which case share them.   See a doctor if symptoms persist and you really want to know what a doctor looks like.      Chow!

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040 - Bootlegger - apple of my eye - checkbook - rat race

Whoopee!  Episode 40 hits the internet and it is a GOOD one.  At least I think so.
Soooo many words, and so little time.  Ah well, today I will explain where the word 'bootlegger', the phrase 'apple of my eye', 'checkbook' and 'rat race' come from.

No fanc footwork here, just fun, happy explanations from a fun, happy guy.  It is almost sinful to be enjoying this so much, but there it is.

Sponsored by Punners of the Worl
I wondered why the baseball was getting bigger.  Then it hit me.

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Molly, one of my beautiful and helpful grandaughters, points out spelling errors I've made.   

039 - Cock and Bull story - claptrap - bowie knife

I talk about the origins of the phrases Cock & Bull story, claptrap and the beloved bowie knife.    All interesting stuff indeed.

Remember that when chemists die they barium.

No sponsor ! Horray!  I remain free and unfettered by filthy lucre........... darn it.

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How cool is this guy, eh?  Note the spiffy mustache and '70s glasses. Just to show that I wasn't always so good lookin' 

038 - Ax to grind - Beat the Rap - Atrophy

This episode was a fun one to put together.  I especially love ATROPHY , as a word because of it's origins.  You will too no dobut and if you don't well, you may be lacking in a sense of joy and wonder.   Or maybe it's just me being strange again.

Ax to grind comes from a folk tale as you will find out and beating the rap has a multitude of meanings.

Episode sponsored by the IKEEA do-it-yourself knee suregery kit: Hinge A-go-go.  Don't suffer with that pain any longer, just a few simple tools (included), a bright light to read the diagram, a friend to help and suddenly you will be dancing again!.   (Asprin included in kit).    

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037 - Through Thick and Thin - Cappuccino - California

Phil makes an incredibly silly and irrelevant point about a word origin - and wonders why people avoid him

Hello good listeners and readers!  This is Phil 'the curious guy' with some more faintly interesting word and phrase origins in episode 37.
Why do we say "I'll stick with you through thick and thin"? and where did the word Cappuccino come from?
And I answer the odd question from a listener about where our state name California came from.  

At no extra cost to YOU, this episode is encoded in special chocholate bits and bites to be extra scrumptuous and tasty.  This new technology does contain nuts however and may be a bit crunchy so do not use it as toothpaste.  Enjoy!
Disclaimer: The author is responsible for nothing.  Absolutely nothing.  He is completely dissasoassociated with anything and everything.  There are rumors that he actually never existed in this or any alternate potential universe.  He also does NOT play the tuba.


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036 - Ballot - White Elephant - Cloud 9 - Alma Mater

Episode 36 (this one) is the product of strenuous, hard and exhausting research so you had better enjoy it or I will pout for 20 minutes.   Today we explore the origin of the word "ballot" as used to vote, White Elephant when used to say "I've got a white elephant", Cloud 9 and finaly, since I have been sitting through so many graduations and matriculations lately,  Alma Mater.    

Added bonus fact: Martriculate does not mean to graduate, it means to enroll. 

"Medieval Latin matriculatus, past participle of matriculare,from Late Latin matricula public roll, diminutive of matric-, matrix list, from Latin, breeding female"  and technically means "to enroll as a member of a body and especially of a college or university".  So the proper use is to say that "he matruculated (was enrolled at) to the College of Stagant Waters by cheating on his entrance exams" .   Yeah life is hard.  Which is related to Alma Mater by the way as nourisning mother.  

Free pun: I stayed up all night to see where the sun went.  Then it dawned on me.

Costly pun: I tried to catch some fog:  I mist.  

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035 - Clue - Charley Horse - Curfew

Episode 35 is another fairly amusing one.  Nothing too exciting except for the word CLUE.  I love the origin of this word and wax poetic about it. I promise you will be surprised and delighted with where this word comes from
Charley Horse and curfew are both interesting but not in comparison to clue. OK, I'm betting you think that clue is one of my favorite words, right? well you are right.  Clue, clue, clue.   ah.... just love saying it because I know where it comes from and YOU don't have a clue.  well not yet, eh?

No sponsor again today which is good and means that I can keep my intellectual dignity and moral highground.  

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034 - Bearhug - Lick into shape - bee line

Episode 34 is on the air and full of squeezing and lickin' good stuff.  First off is the bearhug (an interesting term indeed) and then I examine the reason for saying that we will ' lick something into shape'.  Finally I muse about the inappropriateness of the phrase 'making a bee-line' for something.  Have you ever watched a bee?  Think about it.

This episode brought to you by the Association of Shy Podcasters: the Struggle is real!
Caution: contents may have settled in shipment.

Phil proudly remembers why he is sitting in the car .... now if he just knew who's car it is that would be even better

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033 - Storyville - Sabotage - Sandwich

Episode 33 is a fun look at Storyville, sabotage and sandwich.  Since I grew up in New Orleans, I heard about the evil storyville (a section of the French Quarter set aside for houses of ill repute) a LOT well here is why it was called that.  

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032 - Peter out - Up to Snuff - runway

Wow. Episode 32 is another truly strange one.   I tackle the wonderful origins of the phrase 'peter out' and 'up to snuff'.  And another question from a truly way out listener is answered; why is it called a 'runway'?  when the plane doesn't run at all on it but just kinda rolls.  
NOTE: Grammar and punctuation in above article is left as an exercise for the reader.
Phil does not play the tuba.  Allegations about this are unfounded and untrue and he wasn't there anyway.  

DISCLAIMER: this podcast should be kept in a cool, dry place until used.  And please discard any unused portion.  
Support our sponsor: Codfish.  


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031 - Learn the Ropes - To the Bitter End - Butter wouldn't melt in her mouth - cheat

Have you ever 'learned the ropes'?  Well this episode explains how that phrase entered our language.  Also Butter wouldn't melt in her mouth is interesting.  Why won't that butter melt?  ah.... listen and find out.  lastly we answer a question about the word 'cheat' and where it came from.   No cheating here.

Caution:  Podcast may be hot; hold with both hands;  Adults under 34 must be accompanied by children; this is a toy, not intended as a real atomic bomb.  Dry clean for best results. Beat on a rock for worst results.

Phil tries out his 'super sexy' look for the lady in the podcast audience.  Or maybe he's got gas. Not sure which.   

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