Lexiconned

What do factory workers, sci-fi nightmares, and your Roomba all have in common? They all owe their existence to the word robot. In this episode of Lexiconned, we explore the origins of robot, from its creation in a Czech play to its modern implications in AI, automation, and ethics. Join TJ as he dissects how a simple word became one of the most futuristic—and unsettling—concepts of our time.

[SOURCES]

• R.U.R.—Rossum’s Universal Robots by Karel Čapek
• I, Robot by Isaac Asimov
• Various academic papers on robotics and AI ethics
• Historical research on the Czech term robota and its feudal origins
• Studies on modern robotics and AI development

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What do medieval fire safety laws, teenage rebellion, and government lockdowns have in common? The word curfew! In this episode of Lexiconned, we trace the fiery origins of curfew back to its Old French roots (couvre-feu), explore how William the Conqueror used it to control England, and uncover how it evolved into a tool for social order (and teenage frustration). From historical edicts to modern-day riots, curfew has always been about control—whether it’s over fire, unrest, or late-night mischief. Tune in for a deep dive into this fascinating word, complete with history, humor, and a few unexpected twists.

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Sources:

• Harper, Douglas. Online Etymology Dictionary. “Curfew.”
• Oxford English Dictionary. Curfew: Origin and Historical Uses.
• BBC History. “William the Conqueror’s Curfew Laws.”
• Various historical records on medieval fire safety measures.
• Reports on modern curfews and related riots, including the 1966 Sunset Strip Riots and the 2021 Dutch Curfew Riots.

#Etymology, #WordsWithAStory #Lexiconned, #PunIntended , #WordNerd
#Linguistics , #LanguageLovers , #WordsAreFun, #EtymologyHumor
#HistoryOfWords, #NerdyThings, #SmartHumor, #EducationalPodcast
#HistoryPodcast, #WeeklyPodcast, #WordPodcast

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Love—it’s a word that carries more baggage than a bad breakup. But where does it come from, and how did it become the catch-all term for everything from deep friendship to obsessive romance? In this special Valentine’s Day episode of Lexiconned, we dive into the origins of love, tracing it from Old English lufu to Shakespeare’s poetry and beyond. We’ll explore love’s many linguistic forms, its role in history and literature, and some of the strangest love-related idioms in the English language. Plus, we ask the big questions: Why do we fall in love? What did “making love” originally mean? And can one word really capture all the complexities of human emotion? Tune in for a mix of etymology, history, and humor—because love, like language, is never simple.

Sources:

• Etymology of "Love": Etymonline (https://www.etymonline.com/word/love)
• Old English "lufu": Beowulf and Anglo-Saxon manuscripts
• Greek words for love: The Cambridge Dictionary of Classical Civilization
• Shakespeare's influence on love idioms: Oxford English Dictionary
• Origins of "making love": Historical English linguistics studies

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Whiskey: The Water of Life and the Spirit of History"
In this episode of Lexiconned, TJ pours into the rich, complex history of whiskey, the storied spirit that has warmed hearts and sparked debates for centuries. From its Gaelic roots as "uisce beatha"—the "water of life"—to its pivotal role in America’s Whiskey Rebellion, this episode explores whiskey’s journey across continents and centuries. Discover the differences between Scotch whisky and Irish whiskey, the rise of bourbon as a uniquely American creation, and the cultural legacy of this iconic drink. Whether you take it neat or on the rocks, this episode will leave you thirsty for more. Sláinte!
Sources:
https://www.rebellionresearch.com/
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Whiskey_Rebellion
https://www.oxfordreference.com/display/10.1093/oi/authority.20110803122045416#:~:text=Name%20derived%20from%20the%20Gaelic,to%20make%20whisky%20(1494).
https://specificmechanical.com/news/blog/the-differences-between-distilling-irish-whiskey-and-scottish-whisky/#:~:text=Irish%20whiskey%20is%20often%20triple,critical%20step%20for%20both%20spirits.

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"Spam: From Mystery Meat to Digital Junk"
This week on Lexiconned, we’re diving into the meaty origins of a word that’s been clogging inboxes and fueling breakfast tables alike—spam. Where did it come from? Why did it stick? And how did a canned meat product go from wartime ration to internet annoyance? We’ll explore its humble beginnings, its unlikely role in comedy history, and the tech twist that gave it a second life as the nemesis of email users everywhere. Tune in for a slice of language history that’s anything but canned.
Sources:
https://www.spam.com/museum
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spam_(Monty_Python_sketch)
https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/microsoft-365-life-hacks/privacy-and-safety/what-is-email-spam
https://web.archive.org/web/20060326032433/http://www.mailmsg.com/SPAM_history.htm

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