Episodes
-
Merriam-Webster dictionary added 200 words and phrases in 2024. Other dictionaries added even more.
In this episode you and I explore some of the new most interesting and unusual words, phases, and slang that have found there way into dictionaries and daily use.
---
Sources cited in this episode:
"Origin and Real Meaning for 'Good Enough for Government Work'". Podcast epiisode from "History of Everyday Sayings". Link: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/origin-and-real-meaning-for-good-enough-for-government-work/id1496058540?i=1000567862353
"‘Bed Rotting,’ ‘Girl Dinner,’ and Dictionary.com’s New 2024 Words". Time.com. Link: https://time.com/6694485/bed-rotting-girl-dinner-barbiecore-dictionary-words/
"Winter 2023 New Words: “Everything, Everywhere, All At Once”". Dictionary.com. Link: https://www.dictionary.com/e/new-dictionary-words-winter-2023/
"A Guide to American Slang Words in 2024". Shorelight.com. Link: https://shorelight.com/student-stories/a-guide-to-american-slang-words-in-2024/
"Teen Slang Words in 2024: A Dictionary for Parents". Parents.com. Link: https://www.parents.com/teen-slang-dictionary-for-parents-8547711#:~:text=Dope%20%2D%20Cool%20or%20awesome
"‘Touch grass,’ ‘For You page’: See 200 new words and phrases added to Merriam-Webster". NPR.org. Link: https://www.npr.org/2024/10/04/g-s1-26417/new-words-phrases-added-merriam-webster
"200 New Words and Definitions Added to Merriam-Webster.com". Merriam-Webster.com. Link: https://www.merriam-webster.com/wordplay/new-words-in-the-dictionary
---
Host:
Stephen Carter - Website: https://StressReleaseRadio.com - Email: [email protected]
---
Technical information:
Recorded and initial edits with Twisted Wave. Additional edits with Amadeus Pro, Hush, Levelator, VEA, with final edits in Hindenburg Pro. Microphone: CAD E100Sx.
---
Key words: Wordsmith, logophile, -
In this episode you discover the original meaning, the current meaning, and origin of the phrase, "Fish or Cut Bait".
---
Sources - citations:
Author Candace Osmond; from "GRAMMARIST". "Fish or Cut Bait – Meaning, Synonym and Origin". Link: https://grammarist.com/idiom/fish-or-cut-bait/
"Fish or cut bait". "Dictionary.com". Link: https://www.dictionary.com/browse/fish-or-cut-bait
"Fish or cut bait". "Phrase Finder". Link: https://www.phrases.org.uk/meanings/fish-or-cut-bait.html
Various sources identified by "Bing.com". Link: https://www.bing.com/search?q=origin+of+%22Fish+or+cut+bait%22&form=ANNTH1&refig=8AC3DABB399F4FAF90ADF72435A6CD44&pc=U531
---
Host:
Stephen Carter - Website: https://StressReliefRadio.com - Email: [email protected]
---
Technical information:
Recorded and initial edits with Twisted Wave. Additional edits with Hush and Levelator. Final edits and rendering with Hindenburg Pro. Microphone: Earthworks Ethos.
--- -
Missing episodes?
-
In this episode you and I investigate the origin and meaning of "Leave no stone unturned". You'll discover it's how it's history extends back more than 2,000 years and when it found it's way into English.
---
Sources:
"Leave no stone unturned". Dictionary.com. Link: https://www.dictionary.com/browse/leave--no--stone--unturned#
"Leave No Stone Unturned". "TheIdioms.com". Link: https://www.theidioms.com/leave-no-stone-unturned/#google_vignette
"The Origin of the Phrase "Leave No Stone Unturned": Unraveling It's History and Meaning". Link: https://symbolgenie.com/origin-of-phrase-leave-no-stone-unturned/
"Meaning and origin of ‘to leave no stone unturned’". WordHistories.net. Link: https://wordhistories.net/2017/03/24/to-leave-no-stone-unturned/
---
Host:
Stephen Carter - Website: https://StressReliefRadio.com - Email: [email protected]
---
Technical information:
Recorded and initial edits with Twisted Wave. Additional edits with Hush, Levelator, with final edits and rendering with Hindenburg Pro. Microphone: CAD E1000Sx.
--- -
In this episode you discover the defination and origin history of the saying, "By Hook or by Crook". We also look at the historical use of "Crook" and "Crooked".
Sources:
"What's the meaning of the phrase 'By hook or by crook'?". "Phrase Finder". Link: https://www.phrases.org.uk/meanings/by-hook-or-by-crook.html
"Definition of 'crook'". "Collins Dictionary". Link: https://www.collinsdictionary.com/us/dictionary/english/crook
---
Host:
Stephen Carter - https://StressReliefRadio.com - Email: [email protected]
---
Technical information:
Recorded with Audacity. Edits with Twisted Wave, Hush, and Levelator. Final edits to include use of VEA plugin with Hindenburg Journalist Pro. Microphone: Earthworks Ethos.
--- -
In this episode you discover the meaning and origin of this centuries old phrase, "If Wishes Were Horses, Beggars Would Ride". You'll also learn other surprising related sayings.
---
Sources:
"If wishes were horses, beggars would ride". Phrase Finder. Link: https://www.phrases.org.uk/meanings/if-wishes-were-horses-beggers-would-ride.html
"IF WISHES WERE HORSES, BEGGARS WOULD RIDE". "The Idioms". Link: https://www.theidioms.com/if-wishes-were-horses-beggars-would-ride/
"If wishes were horses, beggars would ride". Wikipedia. Link: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/If_wishes_were_horses,_beggars_would_ride#:~:text=%22If%20wishes%20were%20horses%2C%20beggars,would%20have%20everything%20they%20wanted.
If Wishes Were Horses - The Salon. Link: https://ifwishes.com/about-the-name/
Note: The copyright for each content source shared above is owned by the respective authors. Copyright for commentary about those sources and other comments shared in this episode is owned by Stephen Carter
---
Host:
Stephen Carter - Website: https://StressReliefRadio.com - Email: [email protected]
---
Technical information:
Recorded with Audacity. Edits with Twisted Wave, Levelator, Hush. Final edits with Hindenburg Pro including VEA plugin. Microphone: Earthworks Ethos.
---
Key words:
William Camden, James Carmichael, -
In this episode you and I explore the true meaning and origin of the phrase, "Hit the Nail on the Head". We also look at two other phrases related to hammers and nails.
References:
Meaning of "Hit the Nail on the Head" from Ginger Software. Link: https://www.gingersoftware.com/content/phrases/hit-the-nail-on-the-head#
"The meaning and origin of the expression: Hit the nail on the head". Phrase Finder. Link: https://www.phrases.org.uk/meanings/hit-the-nail-on-the-head.html
"What is the original meaning of the phrase "to hit the nail on the head"? Where does this idiom originate from?". Quara.com. Link: https://www.quora.com/What-is-the-original-meaning-of-the-phrase-to-hit-the-nail-on-the-head-Where-does-this-idiom-originate-from
Japanese saying: "The nail that sticks out gets hammered down." WikiPedia.com. Link: https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/the_nail_that_sticks_out_gets_hammered_down#:~:text=(idiomatic)%20Those%20who%20are%20too,criticized%20or%20sanctioned%20by%20others.
"Nail in the / someone's coffin". "Merrium-Webster". Link: https://www.merriam-
webster.com/dictionary/a%20nail%20in%20the%2Fsomeone%27s%20coffin#:~:text=idiom,nail%20in%20her%20coffin%20today.
Note: Copyright for all quoted and referenced information belongs to the sources. Commentary and other content copyright by Stephen Carter.
---
Host:
Stephen Carter - Website: https://StressReliefRadio.com - Email: [email protected]
---
Technical information:
Recorded with Hindenburg Pro. Edits with Twisted Wave, Hush, Levelator, final edits and rendering in Hindenburg Pro. Microphone: Earthworks Ethos.
--- -
In this episode you discover the true meaning and origin of the phrase, "The devil is in the details".
Citations / sources:
"What Does The Devil Is in the Details Mean? (Dissecting This Idiom)". "wikiHow". Link: https://www.wikihow.com/The-Devil-Is-in-the-Details#
"The Phrase Finder". "The meaning and origin of the expression: The devil is in the details". Link: https://www.phrases.org.uk/meanings/the-devil-is-in-the-details.html
"The devil is in the details". "WikiPedia". Link: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_devil_is_in_the_details#cite_note-Titelman-1
---
Host:
Stephen Carter - Website: https://StressReliefRadio.com - Email: [email protected]
---
Technical information:
Recorded with Hindenburg Pro. Edits with Twisted Wave, Levelator, and Hush. Final edits and rendering with Hindenburg Pro. Microphone: SE Dynacaster DCM8.
--- -
In this episode you discover the true meaning and origin of the phrase, "Rule of Thumb
".
One discovery I made as I investigated the origin of this phrase is - despite popular belief - in reality it has NOTHING to do with the myth that English law allowed a man to beat his wife with a rod no thicker than his thumb.
---
Information sources:
"The meaning and origin of the expression: Rule of thumb". "The Phrase Finder" online. Link: https://www.phrases.org.uk/meanings/rule-of-thumb.html
"On Language; Misrule of Thumb" by William Safire, January 25, 1998; "New York Times". Link: https://www.nytimes.com/1998/01/25/magazine/on-language-misrule-of-thumb.html#
---
Host:
Stephen Carter - Website for this and other shows: https://StressReliefRadio.com - Email: [email protected]
Listen to previous episodes of this show at either https://StressReliefRadio.com or https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/history-of-everyday-sayings--4209899
Follow the "History of Everyday Sayings" wherever you get your podcasts.
---
Technical information:
Recorded with Hindenburg Pro. Edits with TwistedWave, Audacity, Hush, and Levelator. Final edits and rendering with Hindenburg Pro. Microphone: SE Dynacaster DCM8. -
In this episode you discover the Word of the Year as identified by Merriam-Webster Dictionary and the Oxford Dictionary along with "runner up" words that nearly took the title.
Resources mentioned in this episode:
"Word of the Year 2023". Merrium-Webster online. Link: https://www.merriam-webster.com/wordplay/word-of-the-year
Sara Kuta, "‘Rizz’ Is Oxford’s 2023 Word of the Year"; December 3, 2023. Smithsonianmag.com. Article link: https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/rizz-is-oxfords-2023-word-of-the-year-180983367/#:~:text=“Rizz”—a%20shortened%20version,dictionary%20publisher%20unveiled%20this%20week.
---
Host:
Stephen Carter - Website: https://StressReleaseRadio.com. Email: [email protected].
---
Technical information:
Recorded with Hindenburg Pro. Edits with Levelator, Hush, Audacity, Izotope Voice Denoise, TDR Nova; final edits and rendering with Hindenburg Pro. Microphone: Fifne K669D
---
Key words:
Oxford Dictionary, Merriam-Webster Dictionary, Rizz, Authentic, -
The slang term for the British Pound is "Quid". How old is that term, what is the origin, and what is the true meaning?
Discover the answers to these questions and learn more about "the Quid" and it's history in this episode.
---
Sources used in this episode:
"What Is a Quid? History of the British Pound Sterling (GBP)". "Investopedia". Link: https://www.investopedia.com/terms/q/quid.asp#citation-3
"UNDERSTANDING BRITISH MONEY: WHAT’S A QUID? A SHILLING?". "I Heart Britain". Link: https://www.iheartbritain.com/understanding-british-money-whats-a-quid-a-shilling/
"A short history of the pound". "BBC.com. Link: https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-politics-26169070
---
Host:
Stephen Carter - Website: https://StressReleaseRadio.com - Email: [email protected]
Dedicated website for "History of Everyday Sayings" where you can listen to all episodes: https://www.spreaker.com/show/history-of-everyday-sayings
---
Technical information:
Recorded with WavePad. Edits with Twisted Wave, Hush, and Levelator. Final edits and rendering with Hindenburg Pro. Microphone: SE DynaCaster DCM8.
---
Key words:
money, British Pound Sterling, history of money, shilling, pence, England, Great Britain, United Kingdom, -
In this episode you discover the surprising centuries old origin of the term "Honeymoon".
Sources cited in this episode:
"The Surprising Meaning Of Honeymoon Explained". Dictionary.com. Link: https://www.dictionary.com/e/honeymoon/
"THE ORIGIN OF THE WORD "HONEYMOON": WHAT DOES IT MEAN". BatchMead.com. Link: https://www.batchmead.com/blogs/batch/did-mead-coin-the-term-honeymoon
"The mysterious origin of the word 'honeymoon'". Insider.com. Link: https://www.insider.com/honeymoon-word-meaning-etymology-2017-3
"Where Does the Term "Honeymoon" Come From?". "MentalFloss.com. Link: https://www.mentalfloss.com/article/54075/where-does-term-honeymoon-come
"The surprising history behind honeymoons". nypost.com. https://nypost.com/2017/04/24/the-surprising-history-behind-honeymoons/
---
Host:
Stephen Carter. Website: https://StressReliefRadio.com. Email: [email protected].
Listen to previous episodes:
https://www.spreaker.com/show/history-of-everyday-sayings
---
Technical information:
Recorded and initial edits with WavePad. Additional edits with Audacity. Rendering and final edits with Hindenburg Pro. Microphone: DynaCaster DCM8.
---
Key words:
marriage, midevil history, bride, groom, -
In this episode you discover how the phrase, "I heard it through the grapevine" and related sayings came to be.
You'll also discover how that phrase led to one of Motown Records most popular song.
---
Sources for information shared in this episode:
"Heard It On The Grapevine" - Ginger Software: https://www.gingersoftware.com/content/phrases/heard-it-on-the-grapevine/#
Lyrics for "I heard it through the grapevine": https://www.google.com/search?client=safari&rls=en&q=lyrics+for+%22I+heard+it+through+the+grapevine%22&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8
"I Heard it Through the Grapevine" by Marvin Gaye - Song Facts: https://www.songfacts.com/facts/marvin-gaye/i-heard-it-through-the-grapevine#:~:text=Songfacts®%3A,Norman%20Whitfield%20and%20Barrett%20Strong.
"The meaning and origin of the expression: Heard it through the grapevine"; Phrases.org.uk: https://www.phrases.org.uk/meanings/heard-it-through-the-grapevine.html#google_vignette
"Why Do We Say We 'Heard It Through the Grapevine'": Mental Floss: https://www.mentalfloss.com/posts/heard-it-through-the-grapevine-phrase-origins#
---
Host:
Stephen Carter. Website: https://StressReliefRadio.com. Email: [email protected].
Listen to previous episodes of "History of Everyday Sayings": https://www.spreaker.com/show/history-of-everyday-sayings
---
Technical information:
Recorded with Cleanfeed. Edits with Twisted Wave and Levelator. Final edits and rendering with Hindenburg Pro. Microphone: SE DynaCaster DCM8.
---
Key words:
telegraph, Marvin Gaye, Motown Records, Barry Gordy, Gladys Knight, -
We have a love - hate relationship with wealth in general and money specifically. Why?
In this episode you discover the centuries old source of the phrase heard so often today, "Filthy Rich".
---
Sources Used in This Episode:
Definition of "Filthy Rich" according to Merrium Webster Online: Link: https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/filthy%20rich#:~:text=%3A%20extremely%20rich,wealth%20is%20excessive%20or%20offensive
Source of Filthy Rich according Ginger Software: Link: https://www.gingersoftware.com/content/phrases/filthy-rich/
"What's the meaning of the phrase 'Filthy rich'?" according to Phrases.org.UK. Link: https://www.phrases.org.uk/meanings/filthy-rich.html
---
Host:
Stephen Carter. Website: https://StressReliefRadio.com. Email: [email protected].
---
Technical information:
Recorded and initial edits with Ocenaudio. Additional edits with Audacity. Noise and reverb reduction with Hush. Leveled with Levelator. Final edits and rendering with Hindenburg Pro. Microphone SE DynaCaster DCM8.
---
Key words:
lucra, money, wealth, rich,
--- -
In this episode you discover the meanings and early sources for the phrase, "Give the devil his due".
Sources / Resources:
Lyrics to "The Devil Went Down to Georgia". Link: https://genius.com/Charlie-daniels-the-devil-went-down-to-georgia-lyrics
"What's the meaning of the phrase 'He will give the Devil his due'?". Phrases.org.UK. Link: https://www.phrases.org.uk/meanings/176900.html
"What Does Give the Devil his Due Mean?"; "Writing Explained". Link: https://writingexplained.org/idiom-dictionary/give-the-devil-his-due#:~:text=Origin%20of%20Give%20the%20Devil,France%20as%20well%20as%20England.
"Idiom: He will give the Devil his due"; JustEnglish.me. Link: https://justenglish.me/2012/07/24/idiom-he-will-give-the-devil-his-due/
How many songs have "Give the devil his due" in the lyrics?; Lyrics.com. Link: https://www.lyrics.com/lyrics/give%20the%20devil%20his%20due
"Don Quixote" by Miguel de Cervantes Saavedra. EndNotes.com. Link: https://www.enotes.com/topics/don-quixote/quotes/give-devil-his-due
"The remarkable life of Miguel de Cervantes and how it shaped his timeless tale, 'Don Quixote'". Link: https://hub.jhu.edu/2016/09/29/egginton-cervantes-
29sept2016/#:~:text=This%20episode%20in%20Spanish%20author,mind%20when%20thinking%20about%20it.
---
Host:
Stephen Carter. Website: https://StressReliefRadio.com. Previous episodes available on the Stress Relief Radio website and at https://www.spreaker.com/show/history-of-everyday-sayings
Email for host Stephen Carter: [email protected]
---
Technical information:
Recorded with Hindenburg Pro. Edits with Twisted Wave and Audacity. Noise and reverb reduction with Hush. Leveled with Levelator. Final edits and rendering with Hindenburg Pro. Microphone: SE DynaCaster DCM8.
---
Key words:
Shakespeare's Henry V, Shakespeare, Don Quixote, Miguel de Cervantes, Charlie Danials, -
Apple pie has become a symbol of the United States. It even played a role in motivating men to enlist in the U.S. Army during World War II.
In this episode you discover how the phrase, "As American as Apple Pie" came to be so commonly used and the history of apples and apple pie in America.
---
References:
"Why We Say “As American as Apple Pie”.
Link: https://www.bhg.com/holidays/july-4th/traditions/why-is-apple-pie-american/#:~:text=The%20phrase%20was%20first%20used,used%20for%20anything%20deemed%20patriotic.
"Apple Pie Is Not All That American". Link:
https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/why-apple-pie-linked-america-180963157/
"What's So American About Apple Pie?".
Link: https://people.howstuffworks.com/culture-traditions/cultural-traditions/as-american-as-apple-pie.htm
Don McLean singing "American Pie": Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PRpiBpDy7MQ
---
Host:
Stephen Carter. Website: https://StressReliefRadio.com. Email: [email protected].
---
Technical information:
Recorded with Hindenburg Pro 2. Edits with Twisted Wave. Noise and reverb reduction with the application Hush. Final edits and rendering with Hindenburg Pro 2. Microphone: SE DynaCaster.
---
Key words:
Johny Appleseed, apple seedlings, -
In this episode you discover the original source and meaning for the phrase, "Wet Blanket".
---
Sources:
- "Wet blanket". Grammerist website: Link: https://grammarist.com/idiom/wet-blanket/
- "Wet Blanket". Disappering Idioms website: Link: https://disappearingidioms.com/wet-blanket/
- "Wet Blanket" Phrase Finder Website: Link: https://www.phrases.org.uk/meanings/wet-blanket.html
Host:
Stephen Carter. Website: https://StressReliefRadio.com. Email: [email protected].
---
Technical information:
Recorded and edits done with Audacity. Final edits and rendering with Hindenburg Pro. Microphone: EV RE320. -
In this episode you discover the origen of the phrase, "Rome Wasn't Built in a Day". We trace the history of this frequently used metaphor that extends a thousand years back in time.
---
Sources:
"The Origin of the Saying 'Rome Wasn't Built in a Day'": The "Culture Trip" website: Link: https://theculturetrip.com/europe/italy/articles/the-origin-of-the-saying-rome-wasnt-built-in-a-day/
"What's the meaning of the phrase 'Rome wasn't built in a day'?": Phrases.org. Link: https://www.phrases.org.uk/meanings/rome-wasnt-built-in-a-day.html
---
Host:
Stephen Carter; website: https://StressReliefRadio.com. Email: [email protected].
---
Technical information:
Recorded with OcenAudio. Edits with OcenAudio and Twisted Wave. Final edits and rendering with Hindenburg Pro. Microphone: Shure SM58.
--- -
In this episode you discover the true meaning and origin of the term "Gaslighting". You'll learn how gaslighting is used to manipulate others in ways that can destroy a victim's sense of mental and emotional wellbeing.
---
Sources referenced in this episode:
Definition and origin: https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/gaslighting
"What is Gaslighting - Medical News Today"; July 14, 2022; "Medical News Today": Link: https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/gaslighting.
"Gaslighting"; "Britannica Online": Link: https://www.britannica.com/topic/gaslighting.
"Why Is Everyone Talking About 'Gaslighting'? Here's What It Means and How to Spot It"; "Real Simple Online": Link: https://www.realsimple.com/health/mind-mood/why-is-everyone-talking-about-gaslighting-heres-what-it-means-and-how-to-spot-it.
Stephen Carter; January 22, 2023. "5 Indicators Your Partner is Gaslighting You". Link: https://www.frea.support/post/5-indicators-your-partner-is-gaslighting-you.
---
Host:
Stephen Carter. Website: https://StressReliefRadio.com. Email: [email protected].
---
Technical information:
Recorded and first edits with Twisted Wave. Final edits and rendering with Hindenburg Pro.
Microphone: Shure SM58.
---
Key words:
abuse, domestic abuse, psychological abuse, gaslighting, emotional abuse, -
In this episode you'll discover:
- The origin of the saying, "You can't have your cake and eat it too".
- The original phrase and when that phrase changed to the one common today.
- How this phrase led to the identification and arrest of Ted Kaczynski, the infamous Unibomber who terrorized the world for nearly two decades.
---
Sources:
"HAVE YOUR CAKE AND EAT IT TOO"; "Today I found out" website: http://www.todayifoundout.com/index.php/2014/01/cake-eat/.
"The meaning and origin of the expression: You can't have your cake and eat it". Phrase Finder. https://www.phrases.org.uk/meanings/you-cant-have-your-cake-and-eat-it.html.
---
Host:
Stephen Carter. Email: [email protected].
---
Technical information:
Recorded in Hindenburg Pro with edits and rendering. Edits also with Audacity.
Microphone: EV RE320.
---
Keywords:
Unabomber, Ted Kaczynski, Thomas Howard Third Duke of Norfolk, Jonathan Swift, -
In this episode you discover:
- The original meaning of "common sense" and how that meaning changed over time;
- The powerful impact of the "Common Sense" pamphlets on the American Revolution;
- The surprising home country of the "Common Sense" pamphlets author Thomas Paine;
- Opinions about how common "common sense" is; and,
- More interesting history tidbits related to the phrase "common sense".
---
Host:
Stephen Carter. Email: [email protected].
---
References:
Definition of "common sense" in Merriam-Webster. https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/common%20sense.
"The meaning and origin of the expression: Common sense" in Phrase Finder. https://www.phrases.org.uk/meanings/common-sense.html
Jim Taylor, Ph.D., "Common Sense Is Neither Common nor Sense" in "Psychology Today" online. https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/the-power-prime/201107/common-sense-is-neither-common-nor-sense
---
Technical information:
Recording and editing done with Hindenburg Pro.
Microphone: EV RE320
---
Keywords:
Thomas Paine, American Revolution, England, - Show more
