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January 16, 2025 57 mins

In this week’s episode of Nerdish Nerdy Nerd News, join Jess, Kristian, and Fergal as they unravel the unexpected and sometimes bizarre histories behind the words and phrases we use every day. From nautical terms to ancient myths, they’ll dive into the fascinating world of etymology!

Here’s what to expect:

Nautical Origins – Ever wondered why we "pipe down" or "tide over"? Jess and Kristian reveal how old sailor sayings like “feeling blue” and “taken aback” came to be.

💡 Strange Words, Strange Histories – Fergal shares the quirky origins of words like "whiskey" (it means "water of life!") and "mortgage" (yep, it’s literally a "death pledge"). Plus, who knew "sandwich" came from a gambling Earl?

🧐 Bizarre Curse Word Backstories – With all the swearing out there, have you ever wondered how curse words like "shit" and "piss" came to be? Kristian and Jess break it down!

🎩 The Strange Origins of Phrases – From “giving the cold shoulder” to “close but no cigar,” Fergal uncovers how even the most innocent phrases can have surprising backstories.

Join us for a fun and fascinating dive into the world of words—where history and language collide! Tune in for all the nerdy details.

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