The Endless Knot

Latest Episodes:

Episode 25: Twelve Days Dec 06, 2016

Show notes

We delve into the origins of the gifts in "The 12 Days of Christmas" carol, talk about Christmas as the season for games, read a little Latin poetry, and discuss the parallels between feisty women and old farts. And there's a bonus song!

Episode 24: Talking Turkey Nov 21, 2016

Show notes

The origin of the turkey's name leads to discussion of the origin of Thanksgiving, the role of myths in constructing ideology, and some Horace, Homer, & Ovid. Also featuring some spicy cocktails.

Episode 23: Dirk Gently Nov 14, 2016

Show notes

We discuss Douglas Adams' Dirk Gently novels, the 2010 BBC miniseries, and the new BBC America adaptation, with Samuel Barnett & Elijah Wood, written by Max Landis We talk about "the fundamental interconnectedness of all things" as inspiration for Mark's work, the process of adaptation, and 1980's Englishness..

Episode 22: Jack o'Lantern Oct 26, 2016

Show notes

In our Halloween episode we discuss the origins of the holiday, the etymology of Jack o'Lantern, the Canadian connections to trick-or-treating, and the great pumpkin scandal of 2016, and we read a Roman poem about witches scared off by a wooden fertility god!

Episode 21: Haggard Hawks Oct 10, 2016

Show notes

We talk to Paul Anthony Jones about where his love of etymology and obscure words came from, how he researches his books, the unexpected popularity of his Haggard Hawks twitter account, and more.

Episode 20: Blue & Green Sep 12, 2016

Show notes

We explore the terms for blue & green in Greek, Latin, and English, and discuss their symbolism and meaning in the various cultures. Is it true the ancient Greeks couldn't see blue? Why do we go 'green with envy'? And what did chariot racing, colours, and religious riots in Constantinople have to do with the Italian national football team?

Episode 19: Beef Aug 02, 2016

Show notes

We chat about the Norman French influence on Anglo-Saxon words for animals and meat, the powerful emotional and political aspects of the words we use for food, and then delve into Latin technical terms for farmyard animals, ending off with Virgil's pastoral poems, the Eclogues.

Episode 18: Beer Jul 13, 2016

Show notes

All about beer! From experiments in baking bread with the leftovers from brewing beer to the etymology of beery words, and the complicated question of how fizzy beer has been through the ages. We follow up on questions raised in our "Loaf" podcast, and get some tips from other foodie podcasters.

Episode 17: Loaf Jun 15, 2016

Show notes

Exploring bread-related etymologies, sourdough and Roman loaves, and the link between brewing beer and baking bread.

Episode 16: Red May 18, 2016

Show notes

We talk about Old English, Greek, and Latin words for red, the cultural importance of dyes, basic colour terms, blushes, blood, and gods.