The Owlish Folk: Recent Episodes
amanda and dave
A podcast that answers questions about the English language. In each episode we talk about - and attempt to answer - a question about a feature or quirk of the English language. If you are interested in the English language, history, linguistics, or if you just want to listen to a lighthearted chat between two friends, this show could be for you.
In this short owl pellet, Dave digs into the origin of the word 'like', its various uses, and whether the way that (often) young speakers use 'like' is really inappropriate or even particularly modern. Dave mentions two films during the episode: Free Solo (2018) Easy Rider (1969) You can contact the show with questions or comments at theowlishfolk@gmail.com. Please subscribe to the show via iTunes, Google Podcasts, Stitcher, Podcoin, or wherever you get your podcasts from. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter @theowlishfolk. If you enjoy the show, please give us a generous review on iTunes! Check out our website.
In this episode, Amanda and Dave celebrate Bloomsday, a day dedicated to James Joyce and one of his most famous books, Ulysses.
You can contact the show with questions or comments at theowlishfolk@gmail.com. Please subscribe to the show via iTunes, Google Podcasts, Podcoin, or wherever you get your podcasts from. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter @theowlishfolk. If you enjoy the show, please give us a generous review on iTunes!
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Hoot hoot! It's The Owlish Folk's one year podcasting anniversary! In this episode, Amanda and Dave reminisce about the past year, discuss why they started the podcast, and share favourite opening words and episodes. Also, they are outrageously thankful to the listeners!
You can contact the show with questions or comments at theowlishfolk@gmail.com. Please subscribe to the show via iTunes, Google Podcasts, Podcoin, or wherever you get your podcasts from. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter @theowlishfolk. If you enjoy the show, please give us a generous review on iTunes!
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Also, please check out the Too Many Podcasts show with Jim the Podcast Sherpa! Amanda and Dave were recently interviewed, and they had a lot of fun!
In this episode, Amanda and Dave discuss which is correct: football or soccer. If you are American, you'll say "soccer." If you are from most places in the world, it's "football." If you listen to this episode, you may be surprised by the answer!
You can contact the show with questions or comments at theowlishfolk@gmail.com. Please subscribe to the show via iTunes, Google Podcasts, Podcoin, or wherever you get your podcasts from. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter @theowlishfolk. If you enjoy the show, please give us a generous review on iTunes!
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Also, please support two wonderful podcasts: Coach Cameron Soccer and Relationship Marketing! Please download and subscribe!
In this episode, Amanda and Dave discuss why English-speakers use "good, better, best" and not "good, gooder, goodest." They also talk about "bad, worse, worst" and the linguistic concept of suppletion.
You can contact the show with questions or comments at theowlishfolk@gmail.com. Please subscribe to the show via iTunes, Google Podcasts, Podcoin, or wherever you get your podcasts from. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter @theowlishfolk. If you enjoy the show, please give us a generous review on iTunes!
Check out our website.
In this episode, Amanda and Dave talk about the tricky sentences called "Garden Path Sentences." These sentences are grammatically correct, but seem not to be at first. Some examples talked about in the episode are:
1. The old man the boat.
2. The horse raced past the barn fell.
3. The complex houses married and single soldiers and their families.
4. The prime number few.
5. The man who hunts ducks out on weekends.
6. Until the police arrest the drug dealers control the street.
7. Fat people eat accumulates.
Examples are taken from: https://www.rd.com/culture/garden-path-sentences/
You can contact the show with questions or comments at theowlishfolk@gmail.com. Please subscribe to the show via iTunes, Google Podcasts, Podcoin, or wherever you get your podcasts from. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter @theowlishfolk. If you enjoy the show, please give us a generous review on iTunes!
In this episode, Amanda and Dave talk about sentences that are often made up of one, or a few, repeating words. Ridiculous as they are hilarious, they are actually grammatically correct! Some examples talked about in the episode are:
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Buffalo buffalo Buffalo buffalo buffalo buffalo Buffalo buffalo.
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James, while John had had "had", had had "had had"; "had had" had had a better effect on the teacher.
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A ship-shipping ship ships shipping-ships.
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Police police Police police police police Police police.
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Rose rose to put rose roes on her rows of roses.
You can contact the show with questions or comments at theowlishfolk@gmail.com. Please subscribe to the show via iTunes, Google Podcasts, Podcoin, or wherever you get your podcasts from. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter @theowlishfolk. If you enjoy the show, please give us a generous review on iTunes!
In this owlet episode, Amanda and Dave talk about the interesting concept of Escher sentences, also known as "comparative illusions." Some examples talked about in the episode are:
1. "More people have been to Russia than I have."
2. "More people have been to Berlin than I have."
- "..More people have analyzed it than I have..."
4. "More phones have games on them than this one."
5. "In Michigan and Minnesota, more people found Mr Bush's ads negative than they did Mr Kerry's."
You can contact the show with questions or comments at theowlishfolk@gmail.com. Please subscribe to the show via iTunes, Google Podcasts, Podcoin, or wherever you get your podcasts from. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter @theowlishfolk. If you enjoy the show, please give us a generous review on iTunes!
In this episode, Amanda and Dave determine if there is a relationship between musical keys and door keys. Other musical words are discussed, and Amanda tries to stump Dave during a quiz!
You can contact the show with questions or comments at theowlishfolk@gmail.com. Please subscribe to the show via iTunes, Google Podcasts, Podcoin, or wherever you get your podcasts from. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter @theowlishfolk. If you enjoy the show, please give us a generous review on iTunes!
In this episode, Amanda and Dave talk about words related to body parts or organs. Unique words for common body parts and/or organs are discussed. There's also a pop quiz at the end!
You can contact the show with questions or comments at theowlishfolk@gmail.com. Please subscribe to the show via iTunes, Google Podcasts, Podcoin, or wherever you get your podcasts from. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter @theowlishfolk. If you enjoy the show, please give us a generous review on iTunes!
In this episode, Amanda and Dave discuss the question of how to pluralize "computer mouse": is it mice or is it mouses? They also discuss the sometimes unexpected origins of other words related to modern technology, including software, blog, code, Bluetooth, computer, and file.
You can contact the show with questions or comments at theowlishfolk@gmail.com. Please subscribe to the show via iTunes, Google Podcasts, Podcoin, or wherever you get your podcasts from. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter @theowlishfolk. If you enjoy the show, please give us a generous review on iTunes!
In this episode, Amanda and Dave discuss the difference between promises and resolutions. They also discuss the origin and meaning of the song "Auld Lang Syne" and of the Swedish concept of the "year walk" called "Årsgång ." As stated in the episode, here are the lyrics to "Auld Lang Syne": Should auld acquaintance be forgot, And never brought to mind? Should auld acquaintance be forgot, And auld lang syne. CHORUS For auld lang syne, my jo, For auld lang syne. We'll tak a cup o' kindness yet, For auld lang syne. And surely ye'll be your pint-stowp! And surely I'll be mine! And we'll tak a cup o' kindness yet, For auld lang syne. REPEAT CHORUS We twa hae run about the braes And pu'd the gowans fine But we've wander'd mony a weary foot Sin auld lang syne. REPEAT CHORUS We twa hae paidl'd i' the burn Frae mornin' sun till dine. But seas between us braid hae roar'd Sin auld lang syne. REPEAT CHORUS And there's a hand, my trusty fiere! And gie's a hand o' thine! And we'll tak a right guid willy waught, For auld lang syne. REPEAT CHORUS Should old acquaintance be forgot And never brought to mind? Should old acquaintance be forgot, And long, long ago. REPEAT CHORUS And for long, long ago, my dear For long, long ago. We'll take a cup of kindness yet For long, long ago. And surely youll buy your pint-jug! And surely I'll buy mine! And we'll take a cup of kindness yet For long, long ago. REPEAT CHORUS We two have run about the hills And pulled the daisies fine; But we've wandered manys the weary foot Since long, long ago. REPEAT CHORUS We two have paddled in the stream, From morning sun till dine; But seas between us broad have roared Since long, long ago. REPEAT CHORUS And there's a hand, my trusty friend! And give us a hand of yours! And we'll take a deep draught of good-will For long, long ago. REPEAT CHORUS You can contact the show with questions or comments at theowlishfolk@gmail.com. Please subscribe to the show via iTunes, Google Podcasts, Podcoin, or wherever you get your podcasts from. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter @theowlishfolk. If you enjoy the show, please give us a generous review on iTunes!
In this episode, Amanda and Dave have the first of many discussions entitled the "Interview Series" wherein a guest comes to The Owlish Folk! For this episode, they have a guest discuss the negative and positive traditions of Christmas, as well as the significance of the liturgical calendar, Pagan origins, the Medieval and Victorian atmospheres during Christmas, and modern interpretations and symbolism.
You can contact the show with questions or comments at theowlishfolk@gmail.com. Please subscribe to the show via iTunes, Google Podcasts, Podcoin, or wherever you get your podcasts from. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter @theowlishfolk. If you enjoy the show, please give us a generous review on iTunes!
In this episode, Amanda and Dave discuss some interesting words related to Christmas.
You can contact the show with questions or comments at theowlishfolk@gmail.com. Please subscribe to the show via iTunes, Google Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts from. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter @theowlishfolk. If you enjoy the show, please give us a generous review on iTunes!
In this episode, Amanda and Dave discuss the many different kinds of contronyms: words which have two opposite meanings. They discuss the three kinds of contronyms and give many examples.
You can contact the show with questions or comments at theowlishfolk@gmail.com. Please subscribe to the show via iTunes, Google Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts from. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter @theowlishfolk. If you enjoy the show, please give us a generous review on iTunes!
In this episode, Amanda and Dave have a dialogue about the controversy of splitting infinitives; is it acceptable, or is it a crime? Other grammar myths and common misused words and phrases are discussed.
You can contact the show with questions or comments at theowlishfolk@gmail.com. Please subscribe to the show via iTunes, Google Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts from. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter @theowlishfolk. If you enjoy the show, please give us a generous review on iTunes!
In this episode, Amanda and Dave discuss the history of the letter "Q." They also discuss why "Q" and "U" do, and do not, go together.
As mentioned in the episode, here is the Greek letter koppa: Ϙ. More information about the Greek adoption of the Phoenecian alphabet can be found here:
https://archive.is/20120628161421/http://www.tlg.uci.edu/~opoudjis/unicode/nonattic.html#selection-237.0-237.23
You can contact the show with questions or comments at theowlishfolk@gmail.com. Please subscribe to the show via iTunes, Google Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts from. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter @theowlishfolk. If you enjoy the show, please give us a generous review on iTunes!
In this owlet, Amanda and Dave discuss words or terms coined by Shakespeare, Tolkien, Dawkins, Carroll, and others.
Some words discussed are: attercop, tween, robot, chortle, yahoo, google, meme, and alligator.
You can contact the show with questions or comments at theowlishfolk@gmail.com. Please subscribe to the show via iTunes, Google Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts from. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter @theowlishfolk. If you enjoy the show, please give us a generous review on iTunes!
Happy Halloween! In this holiday episode, Amanda and Dave discuss Halloween movies and holiday-themed words that are associated with the titles. They also share their favorite Halloween movies!
You can contact the show with questions or comments at theowlishfolk@gmail.com. Please subscribe to the show via iTunes, Google Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts from. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter @theowlishfolk. If you enjoy the show, please give us a generous review on iTunes!
In this episode, Amanda and Dave discuss where new words come from. They also discuss James Joyce and the words he created, as well as literary devices he utilized to create new words.
As mentioned in the episode, here are where the portmanteau words appear in Joyce's Finnegans Wake:
-unhappitents (FW 258.22) n. Sad or unhappy dwellers or inhabitants. -selfthought (FW 147.9) n. Instructed by one’s self or self-taught through one’s own study, thinking, or thought. -Absintheminded (FW 464.17) adj. forgetful, abstracted, or absent-minded from the consumption of absinthe -eyewitless (FW 515.30) noun. A stupid or witless firsthand observer. -twowsers (FW 276.F1) noun. Two pairs of pants or trousers.
You can contact the show with questions or comments at theowlishfolk@gmail.com. Please subscribe to the show via iTunes, Google Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts from. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter @theowlishfolk. If you enjoy the show, please give us a generous review on iTunes!
In this owlet, Amanda is off sick so Dave talks about some language myths concerning a nursery rhyme, vomit, and the toilet.
You can contact the show with questions or comments at theowlishfolk@gmail.com. Please subscribe to the show via iTunes, Google Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts from. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter @theowlishfolk. If you enjoy the show, please give us a generous review on iTunes!
In this episode, Amanda and Dave discuss the origin of the days of the week.
You can contact the show with questions or comments at theowlishfolk@gmail.com. Please subscribe to the show via iTunes, Google Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts from. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter @theowlishfolk. If you enjoy the show, please give us a generous review on iTunes!
In this episode, Amanda and Dave discuss the origin of the months of the year. They also discuss the history of the calendar .
You can contact the show with questions or comments at theowlishfolk@gmail.com. Please subscribe to the show via iTunes, Google Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts from. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter @theowlishfolk. If you enjoy the show, please give us a generous review on iTunes!
In this episode, Amanda and Dave discuss the history and unusual usage of the pronouns "you" and "we". They also explain the use of "thee" and "thou" in Elizabethan and modern English.
You can contact the show with questions or comments at theowlishfolk@gmail.com. Please subscribe to the show via iTunes, Google Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts from. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter @theowlishfolk. If you enjoy the show, please give us a generous review on iTunes!
In this episode, Amanda and Dave discuss why the pronoun "I" is capitalized. They also discuss tidbits about typography, tittles and jots, and the origin of "uppercase" and "lowercase".
You can contact the show with questions or comments at theowlishfolk@gmail.com. Please subscribe to the show via iTunes, Google Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts from. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter @theowlishfolk. If you enjoy the show, please give us a generous review on iTunes!
SOME NOTES: As discussed in the episode, this is the Anglo-Saxon letter "thorn" in uppercase and lowercase: (Þ, þ).
We mentioned how confusing the word "minuscule" would look with no tittles, but a better example of this is the word "minimum." Check this out: https://i.imgur.com/TeXWTll.jpg .
Also, here's a link to the pictograph of "yod": http://qabalah.nz/2017/02/16/yod/ .
Check out the Greek letter "iota": https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/e/e5/Iota_uc_lc.svg
In this episode, Amanda and Dave discuss the different ways animal names are pluralized. For example, we have a cow/some cows, a sheep/some sheep, a goose/some geese, and an ox/some oxen. They also discuss words that come from hunting and the link between haggard and falcons.
You can contact the show with questions or comments at theowlishfolk@gmail.com. Please subscribe to the show via iTunes, Google Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts from. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter @theowlishfolk. If you enjoy the show, please give us a generous review on iTunes!
In this episode, Amanda and Dave discuss the origin of animal group names.
If you like the show, please subscribe. You can follow The Owlish Folk on Facebook and Twitter @theowlishfolk, or send us an email to theowlishfolk@gmail.com if you have questions or comments.
If you are an English language learner (ESL/EFL), please email us any language questions you might have, and we'll do our best to reply, and perhaps discuss, your questions on the show.
In this episode, we talk about why some English words have silent letters. We discuss the types of silent letters and where they come from.
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In this episode, we talk about why meat doesn't always have the same name as the animal it comes from. You can subscribe to The Owlish Folk on Stitcher and other podcast conduits. Find us on Facebook at The Owlish Folk, and Twitter @theowlishfolk.