I have been enjoying more English language and word etymology content lately – either via YouTube channels or via podcasts on BBC Sounds.
My three favourite YT channels when it comes to all things words are Words Unravelled, RobWords and Otherwords. Words Unravelled is presented by Jess Zafarris and Rob Watts (Rob is also the man behind RobWords). They pick a particular subject or topic and look into the popular word origins and etymology of the subject/topic chosen. Otherwords is presented by Dr Erica Brozovsky and is on the ‘pbsstoried’ channel – PBS being the Public Broadcasting Service, an advertisement-free, free-to-air station in the United States.
Words Unravelled can also be listened to as a podcast, rather than watched on YouTube. I prefer watching it as it’s always great to see Rob blush when some of the etymology talk turns a little more ‘blue’ in tone. Jess is my kinda girl, she relishes the vulgarity of language. Lol.
As for wordy podcasts? Well, currently there is a new series of Unspeakable running. This is a great combination of comedy and etymology. It’s hosted by Phil Wang with Susie Dent as his etymological expert/lexicographer. The idea behind it is that three celebrity guests come on and put forward a new word for the English language. Usually they end up being portmanteau words for something that doesn’t currently have a single-word definition. For example, one of the guests on last week’s show, Ashley Storrie, offered up the word ‘virascible’ for a work colleague that is always so aggressive in the workplace and/or towards their coworkers that their irritability spreads like a virus through the whole workforce, hence the portmanteau of the words ‘virus’ and ‘irascible’ to create ‘virascible.’ Genius!
They are also asked to submit words to be thrown into ‘word jail.’ A word they feel is either overused, or for other reasons just generally gets on their wick, that they’d like to banish from use. The audience can also offer up suggestions for new words as well as ‘word jail’ contenders.
The most recent word-themed podcast I have got into, selectively working my way through its extensive back catalogue on is Word of Mouth, presented by Michael Rosen.
My whole reason for this post is mostly as an excuse to share the most recent episode I listened to. It was an episode on band names. Michael Rosen usually has a guest on with him to discuss whatever language/word/lexicographic/etymological topic he’s covering. For the ‘Band Names’ episode he was joined by Bob Stanley – a name I recognise from making my way through the music magazines each month. I can’t remember which one he contributes to regularly, but it’s one of them. Anyway, the fact they were going to be exploring band names particularly piqued my interest. There was just a passing fancy in my mind as to whether Simple Minds would get a mention (yes, I can still show a certain interest in things about them you know!). They broke it all down into certain categories, going through particular trends of names (eg: the use of ‘the’ at the beginning of a band name, then the falling out of fashion for using ‘the’ …. So on and so forth). They got to bands that had named themselves after other things, either other bands, or films, or books, etc. This had me thinking that if Simple Minds were ever going to be mentioned, this was the time – having named themselves after the line from ‘The Jean Genie,’ right? As the mention of bands begins, there is no mention of them. Further along, they started to discuss bands that have names that don’t seem to ‘fit’ them. I then thought it might be possible they’ll get mentioned here, as, you know, they’re not ‘simple-minded’ guys. But I thought the point in which they’d get mentioned was gone with the name-sakes. Anyway…Rosen mentions Cocteau Twins as a band that he had trouble with marrying their name to their sound. I was like HWFG! Cue Simple Minds getting their mention as Cocteau Twins having derived their name from what was the song retitled ‘No Cure.’ I’m thinking, surely Bob Stanley will know this! Nope! Either he just pleaded ignorance, reviled by the thought of mentioning SM, or this knowledge is not anything like as generally known as I thought? So, with neither of them knowing where the Grangemouth group derived their name from and descending into supposition, it left me in a frustrated furore that Simple Minds didn’t end up with their mention when there was such a gaping opportunity for it to happen! Bloody hell! To Listen to the episode CLICK HERE
I guess I get my comeuppance in a sense as until typing this out and preparing to post a link to this particular episode of Word of Mouth, I didn’t know Bob Stanley was in Saint Etienne or that it was pronounced as Michael Rosen says it. Him saying the name didn’t even ring a bell to me as I have always pronounced it as ‘say-nt et-ee-en’ and not ‘san et-chen.’ You live and learn. Lol. I’ve only ever known Stanley as a music journo.
He REALLY should know about the deriving of Cocteau Twins’ name. I mean, come on!
Anyway, that’s my waffling done for today and most likely this week. I keep watching the skies, praying for some kind of sun god to be kind on Friday. The forecast is for a complete and utter washout. I can’t say I’m particularly enthusiastic about going at the moment. I really don’t relish the idea of being pissed on for seven hours straight for £95. Bellahouston Park was the worst choice, I reckon. No subway. Roadworks closing off loads of roads. Not the quickest walk from anywhere to get to the ground. The idea of wearing wellies most of the afternoon and evening. All that standing and walking. I’m dreading it. I really am! If I had been going alone, I’d have cut my losses and stayed home. But Sue is coming. I don’t want to be THAT friend, you know? But all I can think about is it being like Blenheim Palace turned up to 11. The worst thing is, the Punk All-dayer on Saturday had pretty good weather (just a couple of short showers through the day – but mostly sunny, and warm). It’ll be pretty good for Sting tomorrow, and then Stereophonics get a decent day on Saturday. Just the SM show that’s going to be a miserable quagmire. Hurray! I can’t wait *heavy exhale*