023 - Gossip - Throw someone to the wolves

Psss! wanna hear some gossip?  This episode reveals the surprising origin of our wonderful word GOSSIP.   And then explains where Throwing Someond to the Wolves comes from .... tsk. tsk.  sad but true.

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Phil looks ascance at gossipers ...'cuse they won't share it with him

022 - pig in a poke - high on the hog - hogwash - boudouir

Wow. .. another episode of this podcast about word and phrase origins.

This time we jump into the mud with the hogs with Pig in a Poke, High on the Hog, hogwash and boudouir.  Well that last one doesn't belong but just make it fit, eh?

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Molly, my grandaughter, wanted to know who I was talking to

021 - The Days of the Week - Rx

Every wonder where we got the words for our days of the week? Sunday? Monday? Tuesday, etc?  Well I am here in this sincitillating episode to 'splain it to you.

Also what does that Rx symbol we see on our medicine bottles come from?

This episode proudly sponsored by the tilde ~  Use it with PRIDE!  The TILDE is your friend and wants to help; give it a change folks.  

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Phil tries hard to smile for the camera

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020 - Bolt from the Blue - close but no cigar - blue chip stock - All Gussied Up

Wow! episode 20 is now on the air.  I am excited about this one because it discusses the origin of Bolt From the Blue, a favorite of mine; Close but no cigar; Blue Chip Stock and finally inresponse to a question from a faithful listener, the phrase All Gussied Up.

Thanks to our sponsor, Public Domain Books, for not giving us a penny to produce this and thereby keeping me unsullied by the taint of greed or money.

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Phil listens carefully to the voices in his head

019 - To Go Whole Hog -- Fan -- Eavesdrop

This episode continues my casual saunter though the beautiful and sunny meadow of words and phrases, stopping now and the to smell the wonderful origins of a few at random.
And my mom said I was never going to amount to anything!
Episode sponsored by the EU; yes the European Union wants YOU to know it loves each and every one of you.  So smile!  

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Phil realizes a bit too late that the gumbo was more spicy than usual

018 - Peeping Tom - Don't Fly Off the Handle - Bikini

Episode 18 is a very good one if I do say so myself.  Was there ever a real Peeping Tom?  well .. perhaps!  and why do we say "Don't Fly off the Handle"?  and why is that bathing suit called a "Bikini"?   I explain 'em all in this fascinating stroll down the etymology path.   Come on along .....

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017 - Happy as a Clam - Fink - Gimme a Break!

I'll bet you don't know why we say that someone is Happy as a Clam.  Well, the origins of this phrase is exposed in this episode of Why Do We Say That, along with why we call someone a Fink and why we say that some got a good break or a bad break. 

 

Sponsored by the Society to Speak More Better English   

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