Bunny Trails: A Word History Podcast
264 episodes - English - Latest episode: 7 days ago - ★★★★★ - 23 ratingsWelcome to our whimsical adventure of idioms and other turns of phrase. Each week, we delve into the origins of phrases to find out how they came into the English language. We tell the story of how the phrase got from its beginnings to where it is today. Shauna and Dan are two big nerds, so expect some geek culture references, random trivia facts, and loads of laughs!
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Episodes
Retro 94 Earworm
April 26, 2023 12:00 - 33 minutes - 28.7 MBRETRO: Science fiction and science fact collide this week as Shauna and Dan discuss the origins and fun pre-history of the word "earworm". And then they talk all about those songs that just won't leave your brain! But don't worry, there is hope as they talk about possible cures, too. So much practical knowledge on this week's #BunnyTrails! Originally aired January 6, 2021. Copyright 2023 by The Readiness Corner, LLC - All Rights Reserved
190 Know Him From Adam
April 19, 2023 12:00 - 32 minutes - 28.6 MBThis week Shauna and Dan explore the phrase "Don't know him from Adam". Also works with 'her from Adam'. Or 'her from Eve'. Or so many other pronouns. Bonus: Georgian London Criminal Court, Christmas movies, and School Lunches. #BunnyTrails Copyright 2023 by The Readiness Corner, LLC - All Rights Reserved
189 Barking Up the Wrong Tree
April 12, 2023 12:00 - 32 minutes - 26.3 MBThis week Shauna and Dan explore the phrase, "Barking Up the Wrong Tree". This episode is full of outlandish stories including an interesting tale by David Crockett, who preferred not to use the childlike moniker, Davy. Also, Shauna calls everyone born in 1980 or earlier "old". Bonus: Locutus of Borg, professional drivers, and the largest bear in all of America. Probably. Copyright 2023 by The Readiness Corner, LLC - All Rights Reserved
188 Airing Dirty Laundry
April 05, 2023 12:00 - 29 minutes - 26.6 MBThis week Shauna and Dan explore the phrase "Airing Your Dirty Laundry". Except originally, it wasn't "airing". Nor was it "laundry". And on occasion, it wasn't even "dirty". Bonus: Modern Major Generals, Fancy Shower Curtains, and jilted musicians. Also, stick around for the post-credit scene if you like bad jokes. Copyright 2023 by The Readiness Corner, LLC - All Rights Reserved
187 At a Crossroads
March 29, 2023 12:00 - 31 minutes - 25.7 MBThis week Shauna and Dan explore the phrase, "At a Crossroads", which has a strong association with blues legend Robert Johnson. Bonus: Search engine optimization in the 1700s and cool pet names. Also, how do you pronounce gnocchi? Copyright 2023 by The Readiness Corner, LLC - All Rights Reserved
186 Give an Inch, Take a Mile
March 22, 2023 12:00 - 33 minutes - 31.3 MBDid you know "If you give them an inch, they'll take a mile" wasn't the original usage for this phrase? And the original usage stuck around until the mid 1900s? This week on #BunnyTrails Shauna and Dan explore the origins and past of this saucy phrase. Copyright 2023 by The Readiness Corner, LLC - All Rights Reserved
185 If You Can't Stand the Heat Then Get Out of the Kitchen
March 15, 2023 12:00 - 31 minutes - 27.1 MBHarry S. Truman was known for his metaphorical way of speaking. This week's phrase, "if you can't stand the heat, get out of the kitchen" was one he helped popularize. But where did it come from? Even Truman himself credits different people at different times. So join us as we explore this phrase. #BunnyTrails Copyright 2023 by The Readiness Corner, LLC - All Rights Reserved
184 The Rabbit Died
March 08, 2023 13:00 - 32 minutes - 30.6 MBThis week Shauna and Dan explore the fast burning phrase, The Rabbit Died. We talk the history of early pregnancy tests and how that led to this interesting phrase. Along the way we hear about several TV shows that used the phrase and then talk about Billy Crystal doing CPR on a bunny. Fun times. #BunnyTrails Copyright 2023 by The Readiness Corner, LLC - All Rights Reserved
183 Line Your Pockets
March 01, 2023 13:00 - 32 minutes - 27.6 MBShauna and Dan explore the money-grabbing phrase, Line Your Pockets. Along the way, we learn about Dan's dainty wallet, the Peculiar Miss Pickett, and how George Washington was against price gouging. #BunnyTrails Copyright 2023 by The Readiness Corner, LLC - All Rights Reserved
RETRO 59 Old Dog, New Tricks
February 22, 2023 13:00 - 30 minutes - 26.1 MBIn this RETRO episode, we'll answer the age old question, Can you teach an old dog new tricks? Spoiler Alert: You can. Shauna and Dan talk vocal discrimination, materialism in the early 1900s, the downside of Martin Van Buren, and PCs vs Macs. Dan finds a new favorite song while also recognizing the although way we argue has changed, the fact that we are mean to each other when not speaking face to face hasn't changed at all. #BunnyTrails Copyright 2023 by The Readiness Corner, LLC - All...
182 Something to Write Home About
February 15, 2023 13:00 - 28 minutes - 22.9 MBThis week Shauna and Dan explore the phrase Something to Write Home About. In it, we learn that old-timey writers couldn't call a whale a whale. Bonus: Presidential Prison Dentists, Shauna struggles with geography, and we decide the best oceans - once we figure out what an ocean even is. #BunnyTrails Copyright 2023 by The Readiness Corner, LLC - All Rights Reserved
181 Bless Your Heart
February 08, 2023 13:00 - 31 minutes - 28.1 MBThis week Shauna and Dan explore a southern work of art with "Bless Your Heart". Don't let the fact that it precedes the United States deter you from learning more about this versatile phrase. Bonus: Godzilla, Ms. Lewis' Third Thursday Ladies, and zucchini pickles. #BunnyTrails Copyright 2023 by The Readiness Corner, LLC - All Rights Reserved
180 Dead of Winter
February 01, 2023 13:00 - 29 minutes - 26.4 MBThis week Dan ponders why he lives in a place where the air hurts his face and he and Shauna explore the phrase Dead of Winter. Bonus: Made up bands, magical self-cleaning kitchens, and the meme-tastic Samuel Johnson. #BunnyTrails Copyright 2023 by The Readiness Corner, LLC - All Rights Reserved
179 Quid Pro Quo
January 25, 2023 13:00 - 28 minutes - 23.9 MBThis week Shauna and Dan explore the borrowed phrase, Quid Pro Quo. Dan laments not learning any Latin in school, while Shauna boasts about her High School teacher who added a little culture to her learning. Plus, what do you call it when the hair on your arm stands and end and gets all bumpy? All this and more on this weeks #BunnyTrails. Copyright 2023 by The Readiness Corner, LLC - All Rights Reserved
178 Who Invented the Electric Toaster?
January 18, 2023 13:00 - 30 minutes - 26.9 MBThis week Dan takes 30 minutes to issue a retraction for something said in episode 159: Best Thing Since Sliced Bread. But we weren't alone in this mistaken information. Newspapers, governments, and historical websites were all taken in by a hoax on who invented this household appliance. Join us as we explore a long-running Wikipedia hoax and dive deep to find who really invented the electric toaster. #BunnyTrails Copyright 2023 by The Readiness Corner, LLC - All Rights Reserved
177 Just Deserts
January 04, 2023 13:00 - 31 minutes - 26.2 MBJust deserts doesn't have anything to do with sweets, but Shauna has a tip to help you spell the sweet treat versus the arid climate. Bonus: Dating/Alien-Fighting Sims, Paul Newman (but not that one), and choosing between too hot or too cold. Copyright 2023 by The Readiness Corner, LLC - All Rights Reserved
RETRO 92 Christmas Spirit and other Christmastime Phrases
December 28, 2022 13:00 - 29 minutes - 25.5 MBWe are digging into the archives this week to bring you the Christmas Spirit. Plus we talk *No Spoilers* about the new Christmas musical, Spirited. Then we jump into a RETRO episode on Christmas phrases, originally released December 23, 2020. This week we get into the Christmas Spirit while talking about the Christmas Blues. New plan, let's talk about both! Learn about some of your favorite holiday idioms. Plus, the origins of "White Elephant" gift exchanges. It's all here for your holid...
RETRO 92 Christmas Spirit and other Christmastime Phrases
December 28, 2022 13:00 - 29 minutes - 25.5 MBWe are digging into the archives this week to bring you the Christmas Spirit. Plus we talk *No Spoilers* about the new Christmas musical, Spirited. Then we jump into a RETRO episode on Christmas phrases, originally released December 23, 2020. This week we get into the Christmas Spirit while talking about the Christmas Blues. New plan, let's talk about both! Learn about some of your favorite holiday idioms. Plus, the origins of "White Elephant" gift exchanges. It's all here for your holid...
176 Witching Hour
December 21, 2022 13:00 - 32 minutes - 27.8 MBThis week, Shauna and Dan discuss the origins and usage of "Witching Hour". Along the way they talk DC comics, Ann Rice, and metal bands. Warning, Dan gives spoilers for the 1990 movie, Ghost. #BunnyTrails Copyright 2022 by The Readiness Corner, LLC - All Rights Reserved
175 Can of Worms
December 07, 2022 13:00 - 34 minutes - 33.1 MBThis week Shauna and Dan open a can of worms which leads them to angry Canadians, military leadership, how the District of Columbia is governed, and French thrash/death metal. Bonus: David Sedaris, Olympic scandals that aren't what you think they are, and composting. #BunnyTrails Copyright 2022 by The Readiness Corner, LLC - All Rights Reserved
RETRO 127 Penny Dreadful
November 30, 2022 13:00 - 30 minutes - 24.7 MBThanksgiving and the World Cup conspired to interfere with the recording schedule. So you get a RETRO episode. Dan finds the Christmas season to be the spookiest of all, so he has selected episode 127: Penny Dreadful as this week's topic. It originally aired October 6, 2021. Dan is an uncultured swine and did not know what a Penny Dreadful was. Shauna educates him and explores the origins of and alternative names to this popular literary phenomenon from the 1800s. Special thanks to Victo...
174 Blind as a Bat
November 23, 2022 13:00 - 31 minutes - 26.4 MBThis week Shauna and Dan answer the serious questions. Are bats really blind? What is a brickbat? And how many 80s cartoons can Dan reference in one episode? All this and more on this week's #BunnyTrails Copyright 2022 by The Readiness Corner, LLC - All Rights Reserved
173 A Watched Pot Never Boils
November 16, 2022 12:00 - 32 minutes - 28.3 MBThis week Shauna and Dan look at the phrase "A Watched Pot Never Boils". This one is frequently misattributed, though not in the way you might think. Bonus: Art we can't see, songs we can't share, and places we can't visit. #BunnyTrails Copyright 2022 by The Readiness Corner, LLC - All Rights Reserved
172 The Great Outdoors
November 02, 2022 12:00 - 27 minutes - 24.2 MBHave you ever felt boxed in? Like you just wanted to get away? Shauna and Dan explore "The Great Outdoors" this week to help you capture that feeling. Bonus: Bird smells, 80s music, and a plethora of the Arizona Republican. #BunnyTrails Copyright 2022 by The Readiness Corner, LLC - All Rights Reserved
171 Let Sleeping Dogs Lie
October 26, 2022 12:00 - 30 minutes - 26.7 MBIf dogs are man's best friend, then why do we need to let sleeping dogs lie? And what about sleeping giants? Bonus: Fievel Mousekewitz, dark secrets, and time traveling ethics, all on this week's #BunnyTrails Copyright 2022 by The Readiness Corner, LLC - All Rights Reserved
170 Jump for Joy
October 19, 2022 12:00 - 28 minutes - 23.8 MBThis week Shauna and Dan explore the phrase "Jump for Joy" and are surprised by its predecessor phrases. Dan rants about forks. Shauna and Dan both so off their skills with marine biology. Who do you think could jump higher, a dolphin or a seal? Silliness abounds on this week's #BunnyTrails Copyright 2022 by The Readiness Corner, LLC - All Rights Reserved
169 Sell Like Hotcakes
October 12, 2022 12:00 - 30 minutes - 27.2 MBWhy do we say sell like hotcakes? Does the answer have anything to do with early spam messages? Why do the Brits eat pancakes on Mardi Gras? Will Dan practice what he preaches when he says, "Words belong to their users"? So many question, but also so many answers on this week's #BunnyTrails Copyright 2022 by The Readiness Corner, LLC - All Rights Reserved
168 Cute as a Button
October 05, 2022 12:00 - 29 minutes - 25.3 MBThis week, Shauna and Dan track down some serious cuteness. This one is still a mystery as to why it is said, but your hosts debunk several myths about it in the process. Bonus: Shauna teaches Dan some new slang. Plus a song that is just pick-up lines. #BunnyTrails Copyright 2022 by The Readiness Corner, LLC - All Rights Reserved
167 Goosebumps
September 28, 2022 12:00 - 32 minutes - 29.5 MBThis week the goose is cooked. Well, Shauna and Dan make the case that because geese were so popular during a particular time of year that many people cooked them. And that's why we call piloerection "goosebumps" and not "duckbumps" or "pigeonbumps", at least in English. But before goosebumps, we called it a few other things, too. Join us this week to find out more! #bunnytrails Copyright 2022 by The Readiness Corner, LLC - All Rights Reserved
166 Under the Bus
September 21, 2022 12:00 - 30 minutes - 25 MBThis week Shauna and Dan dodge traffic as they explore the phrase, Under the Bus. Even though it is a relatively recent addition to the English language, there are plenty of examples to use! Plus Shauna explains to Dan TicTok jargon, then she fawns over the smell of books. Copyright 2022 by The Readiness Corner, LLC - All Rights Reserved
165 Keep an Eye On, and variants
September 07, 2022 12:00 - 29 minutes - 26.9 MBThis week, Shauna and Dan look at the phrase Keep an Eye On, along with its variants throughout the years - most of which are still frequently used today. Bonus: Diana Ross, French dark comedies, and tandem surfing. #BunnyTrails Copyright 2022 by The Readiness Corner, LLC - All Rights Reserved
164 Veni, Vidi, Vici. I came, I saw, I conquered.
August 31, 2022 12:00 - 22 minutes - 18.7 MBJoin Shauna and Dan as they dive deep into this Latin phrase. Did Caesar really come up with this one? Why is it three neat words in Latin, but twice that in English? Who is better, Nas or Lil Nas X? All that and more on this week's #BunnyTrails Copyright 2022 by The Readiness Corner, LLC - All Rights Reserved
163 Head in the Clouds
August 24, 2022 12:00 - 30 minutes - 27.8 MBThis week Shauna and Dan start with the Old English definition of clouds and work their way through gods, science, and a mansplainy Italian to tell the story of "Head in the Clouds". Bonus: An English sheep-shearing de facto dad. Plus Star Trek vs Star Wars. #BunnyTrails Copyright 2022 by The Readiness Corner, LLC - All Rights Reserved
RETRO 96 Under the Weather
August 17, 2022 12:00 - 32 minutes - 27.9 MBShauna and Dan are full of joy and whimsy as they tackle a gloomy phrase in Under the Weather. Maybe it means you are sick or maybe it means you are drunk. Or in some rare cases maybe you are having some financial difficulties. But the biggest question of all... does this really have nautical origins? And if so... why do we first see it in print from a Texas Revolutionary? We have some, but not all, the answers on this week's #BunnyTrails! Originally aired January 20, 2021. Copyright 202...
162 Pura Vida - A Visit to Costa Rica
August 03, 2022 12:00 - 30 minutes - 26.5 MBThis week we visit beautiful Costa Rica to learn how to live Pura Vida - the pure life. We learn why the people of Costa Rica are known as Ticos and explore how Pura Vida informs many facets of Tico society. Bonus talk about great food like Gallo Pinto and Casado! #BunnyTrails Copyright 2022 by The Readiness Corner, LLC - All Rights Reserved
161 Beam Me Up Scotty and Other Misquoted Phrases
July 27, 2022 12:00 - 30 minutes - 27.1 MBWhat do Star Trek and Gandhi have in common? How about Martin Luther King Jr and Teddy Roosevelt? They all get misquoted with some regularity. We explore several misquotes and misattributions on this week's #BunnyTrails Copyright 2022 by The Readiness Corner, LLC - All Rights Reserved
160 Pour Oil on the Fire
July 13, 2022 12:00 - 28 minutes - 24.3 MBDo ever find yourself on social media and someone says something... um... problematic... and you know you just can't let it go? If yes, than you've joined us in pouring oil on the fire. Bonus content as we talk oil drilling, horse racing, butt emojis, and what to do on a rainy evening. It's the most fun anyone could have. Maybe. #BunnyTrails Copyright 2022 by The Readiness Corner, LLC - All Rights Reserved
159 Best Thing Since Sliced Bread
July 13, 2022 12:00 - 29 minutes - 26.6 MBWhich came first, the toaster or sliced bread? I suppose it depends on how you define sliced bread, really. And while there are many things we might say are “the best thing since sliced bread”, I’ve always wondered what was the best thing BEFORE sliced bread? All that and more on this week's #BunnyTrails Copyright 2022 by The Readiness Corner, LLC - All Rights Reserved
Retro 81 Queen Bee
June 15, 2022 12:00 - 35 minutes - 29.7 MBThis week mixes entomology with etymology as Dan explores the phrase Queen Bee. For thousands of years we called them King Bees, despite knowing for a good portion of that time the leader of the honey bee colony was female. Spoiler alert: It's Aristotle's fault. Well, his and everyone else who contributed (and still contributes) to systemic discrimination in nearly all our institutions. But thanks to Charles Butler and Queen Elizabeth the Queen Bee broke free! We have earworms, Twitter...
158 Rocket Science
June 01, 2022 12:00 - 29 minutes - 24.1 MBThis week it's not rocket science. Or is it? Well, this week is definitely some maths, science, biology, chemistry, and engineering. Join us!!! Copyright 2022 by The Readiness Corner, LLC - All Rights Reserved
157 Piece of Cake
May 25, 2022 12:00 - 15 minutes - 13.8 MBThis week is a Piece of Cake as Dan tackles the solo episode. Along the way we hear more World War 2 slang and learn about the Driveotron, a 1960s driving simulator. #BunnyTrails Copyright 2022 by The Readiness Corner, LLC - All Rights Reserved
156 Newfangled or Old-fangled?
May 18, 2022 12:00 - 32 minutes - 29.8 MBNewfangled? Old-fangled? What about simply fangled? Which is correct? Bonus: Crotchety crocheting, Red Dead Redemption, and why ribbons are better than buckles. Also, taxes. Copyright 2022 by The Readiness Corner, LLC - All Rights Reserved
155.5 Lose Your Voice Mini Ep
May 11, 2022 12:00 - 2 minutes - 1.52 MBThis week Dan has lost his voice, so here is a mini-episode from Shauna with a little info on the phrase, "Lose Your Voice". See you again next week! #BunnyTrails Copyright 2022 by The Readiness Corner, LLC - All Rights Reserved
155 Look On the Bright Side
May 04, 2022 12:00 - 30 minutes - 26.1 MBThis week Shauna and Dan explore a sunny phrase in "Look on the Bright Side'. Dan talks about the definitive color of barns, while Shauna geeks out over someone's sweater collection. Plus, which word is better, "indefatigable" or "moist"? Copyright 2022 by The Readiness Corner, LLC - All Rights Reserved
154 Stir the Pot
April 27, 2022 12:00 - 31 minutes - 30.2 MBDoes "Stir the Pot" mean causing trouble or does it mean challenging the status quo? Could it be both? Maybe even both at the same time? We delve into that, along with bonus chats about second-hand anxiety, growing 'to be read' lists, and the proper way to say 2022. All on this week's #BunnyTrails. Copyright 2022 by The Readiness Corner, LLC - All Rights Reserved
RETRO 65 Thick As Thieves
April 20, 2022 12:00 - 34 minutes - 28.3 MBShauna and Dan spent the past few days helping refugees find safe housing, so it's time for a RETRO episode. They share their likes... and dislikes... about this old episode before re-learning about inkle-weaving and the closeness that comes with being "thick as thieves". #BunnyTrails Copyright 2022 by The Readiness Corner, LLC - All Rights Reserved Team Rubicon International Rescue Committee Bunny Trails: A Word History Podcast
153 In Vino Veritas
April 13, 2022 12:00 - 31 minutes - 26.3 MBShauna and Dan dive into the ancient Greek mythos to start exploring the Latin phrase In Vino Veritas. It's philosophers and chianti, Doc Holliday and Malbec, plus 22 year old Song of the Year contenders on this week's #BunnyTrails Copyright 2022 by The Readiness Corner, LLC - All Rights Reserved
152 Break the Ice
April 06, 2022 12:00 - 32 minutes - 30.2 MBHave you ever been in a meeting, or at a conference, or maybe in class, and someone gives the group something to do to help everyone get more comfortable? We call those ice-breakers. And breaking the ice is our subject this week. Bonus: Small talk like the weather, divorces that create religions, and the biggest contradictions in society. Copyright 2022 by The Readiness Corner, LLC - All Rights Reserved
151 Blood on Your Hands
March 30, 2022 12:00 - 30 minutes - 26.1 MBImagine you are reading a suspense novel and you can’t quite tell who the bad guy is. Is the person holding the weapon always the one responsible for a person’s death? Who really has... blood on their hands? It's Shakespeare, early 1900s minimal wage issues, and animated/live action hybrids on this heavy-themed #BunnyTrails Copyright 2022 by The Readiness Corner, LLC - All Rights Reserved
150 Avoid It Like The Plague and Other Evolving Phrases
March 23, 2022 12:00 - 31 minutes - 28.3 MBHave you heard someone use the phrase “avoid it like the plague” and then immediately wonder if that phrase even has the same meaning anymore, given the western response to COVID? This week we explore several phrases that may be evolving over the next few generations. Bonus: Quakers, Black Holes, and Peanut Butter Jelly Time! Copyright 2022 by The Readiness Corner, LLC - All Rights Reserved