Shows
I Hate TalkingMerry Christmas and the Mystery of the Missing Color of the Year EpisodeSend us a text This Christmas-day mini episode is a warm holiday check‑in rather than a full installment. The hosts pause regular programming on December 25, 2025 to wish listeners a Merry Christmas, acknowledging that many are spending the day with friends and family, working essential jobs, or maybe even heading to a movie theater instead of a big gathering. They invite anyone who feels alone—or just wants some company while commuting or cooking—to revisit past episodes, suggesting their November 21, 2024 episode “Under the Auspices of I Hate Talking, a New Podcast Appears” and the January 23, 2025 synesthesia episode as...
2025-12-2504 minI Hate TalkingColor of the Year and More Color DiscussionSend us a text In episode 88 of I Hate Talking, the hosts revisit the idea of “color of the year” and unpack Pantone’s 2026 pick: Cloud Dancer. Instead of finding it calming or inspiring, they both react strongly against it, describing the off‑white shade as dingy, dirty, and more like a stained wall or leaky dishwasher water than a serene, billowy cloud. They also read and gently roast Pantone’s poetic marketing language about clarity, creativity, and fresh starts, noting how little it matches their actual emotional response to the color.To frame the discussion...
2025-12-1827 minI Hate TalkingPants and Other Clothing That Could Go To WasteSend us a text Episode 87 of I Hate Talking dives into the surprisingly rich world of pants—sparked by the hosts’ recent closet decluttering and reflections on how many clothes a typical American household accumulates. They start with definitions and regional differences: in North America, “pants” means trousers, while in British English “pants” often means underwear and can even be slang for “nonsense” or “rubbish.” They trace the word back through “pantaloons,” to the comic Italian character Pantalone, whose too-tight breeches helped give the garment its name.From there, the conversation branches into culture, gender, and clothing norms: who “...
2025-12-1130 minI Hate TalkingThe Interesting Etylmology of GoodbyeSend us a text In episode 86 of I Hate Talking, the hosts take on the deceptively simple word “goodbye” and discover how emotionally loaded it has become in modern conversation. They unpack why “goodbye” can feel harsh or final—more like a relationship-ending period than a casual sign‑off—and contrast it with softer alternatives such as “bye,” “see you later,” and even the more cheerful “good morning.”Digging into etymology, they explain how “goodbye” began as the devotional phrase “God be with ye,” was shortened in writing (like an old-school “BRB”), and eventually morphed into the single word used today. From t...
2025-12-0436 minI Hate TalkingHappy Thanksgiving and Episode RecommendationsSend us a text No new episode this week—your hosts are taking a break to celebrate Thanksgiving in the United States! If you’re looking for something to listen to while you cook, travel, or relax, there’s a rich catalog of over 85 past episodes to choose from.For a listener favorite, check out the 'Synesthesia' episode (Jan 23, 2025), which offers a deep dive into the fascinating phenomenon of mixing senses. If your mood leans festive, revisit 'Christmas Tide, When Will It End, and the Lost Ornaments' (Jan 16, 2025) for cozy holiday reflections. Other top listens include...
2025-11-2702 minI Hate TalkingRaingutter Regatta, Kayaks, Canoes, Rowboats, and MoreSend us a text In episode 85 of I Hate Talking, the hosts open with a milestone announcement: November marked their most downloaded month since the podcast launched, second only to their debut month. Listeners are encouraged to catch early episodes and share feedback—preferably with a dose of kindness or even pure praise!The word of the episode is "regatta," inspired by the recent Cub Scout rain gutter regatta boat race. The hosts break down the origins and meaning of "regatta," tracing it from its Italian (and possibly Latin) roots as a contest or race, to...
2025-11-2029 minI Hate TalkingThe Word of the Year Isn't Even a Word?Send us a text Episode 84 explores Dictionary.com's controversial 2025 "Word of the Year"—the number —and the explosion of meme culture in everyday language. The hosts debate whether numerals can truly count as words, and dissect what it means for a dictionary to embrace viral Gen Alpha fads as legitimate lexicon. They unpack the origin of 67 as slang: from a rapper's lyric and TikTok trends, to schoolyards and sports memes, to its status as an in-joke that, paradoxically, includes everyone in the fun.Alongside plenty of real-life stories (including how a scout meeting devolved into a cho...
2025-11-1321 minI Hate TalkingMore Debate on the Quote "Nostalgia is simply a longing for a time we know we can survive"Send us a text In Episode 83 of I Hate Talking, the hosts dive into the concept of "nostalgia," sparked by a listener suggestion and a memorable quote: "Nostalgia is just a longing for a time we know we can survive." The duo debates the merits and shortcomings of this definition, reflecting on whether nostalgia is more about overcoming hardships or an emotional longing for the best moments of our pasts. With personal stories about parenting, childhood memories, and once-in-a-lifetime trips, they explore how nostalgia is shaped by both triumph and struggle, and whether it applies to adulthood m...
2025-11-0629 minI Hate TalkingFetid Smells and Debate on NostalgiaSend us a text In Episode 82, the hosts take a listener suggestion and spotlight the word fetid—a recent Wordle answer—and trace its meaning, origins, and less obvious relatives. The hosts discuss both their Wordle strategies, starter words, and the minor heartbreaks and little victories that come with daily word games, before diving into vocabulary.They explain that fetid means “having a heavy, offensive smell”—think stinky swamps, unwashed gear, or foul breath. Drawing on its Latin roots (fetidus from fetere, "to stink"), they clarify that it’s not related to words like fetish, despite some...
2025-10-3031 minI Hate TalkingConclusions on Blue, When Does Christmas Start, the Value of Thanksgiving Day, and Day Light SavingsSend us a text In this richly layered episode, the hosts follow up on unanswered questions from last week’s exploration of blue. They start by confirming what Russians actually call their beloved “Blue” cats—Синий русский (Siniy russkiy)—and dive into why Puritan “blue laws” might have literally come from blue paper or blue clothing. From there, the couple unpacks theories on how “blue” came to mean both “religious strictness” and “indecency,” tracing its tangled linguistic roots through New England idioms and 19th‑century slang.The new word of the week, crèche, opens a thoughtful discussion on the Latin, French, and Greek...
2025-10-2337 minI Hate TalkingAll the Variations, Shades, and Definitions of BlueSend us a text Overview:An unexpectedly multifaceted English word examined through color, emotion, temperature, and cultural usage—plus comparisons to Russian and historical linguistics.Why it came up:The hosts had recently discussed Russian—the language’s treatment of blue inspired today’s topic.Linguistic Insight: Russian Words for “Blue”Russian distinguishes light and dark blue with two separate terms:синий (siniy) — dark blueголубой (goluboy) — light blueScientific studies show Russian speakers identify shades of blue faster and more precisely than English speakers because their brains associate distinct words with each hue.English only modifies blue...
2025-10-1616 minI Hate TalkingIs Timidity Even a Word?Send us a text Word of the Episode: TimidityDefinition (Oxford): Lack of courage or confidence.Usage: More common historically (esp. 1800s), in decline until a slight uptick since 2019—possibly linked to its appearance in modern Bible translations (e.g., NLT). Example usage: “She believes everyone can overcome their timidity.”Etymology: From Latin timidus (“fearful”) ← timere (“to fear”). Related to timid, intimidate, etc.Comparison: Timidness exists, but AI claims timidity is more established—a claim the hosts dispute, saying they had never encountered it until now.Biblical Connection: Appears in 2 Timothy 1:7 in NLT (“spirit of timidity”), contrasted with KJV “sp...
2025-10-0928 minI Hate TalkingPolemics on Morals, Morale, and WorldviewsSend us a text Word of the Episode: PolemicalDefinition (Oxford): Expressing or constituting a strong critical attack or controversial opinion.Etymology: From Greek polemos (“war”) → polemikós (“warlike/hostile”).Discussion:Related to debate and controversy, not to Ptolemaic (Claudius Ptolemy’s geocentric astronomy).Hosts joked about confusing the two since they sound similar, imagining a “Ptolemaic polemic.”Takeaway: polemical ≠ Ptolemaic, but both useful as play on words.Connection to Past EpisodesRevisited pontificate: noted they’re now noticing frequent (often incorrect) uses of the term in culture and academics.Bridge to discussion: morals vs. morale can...
2025-10-0231 minI Hate TalkingMorals Versus MoraleSend us a text Words of the Episode: Morals vs. MoraleMoralsDefinition: Standards of behavior or principles of right/wrong by which a person lives; also lessons drawn from stories.Etymology: From Latin mos/moris → morales → moralia (used by St. Gregory in his exposition on Job) → Middle English.Can be good or bad, but always refers to a guiding code.MoraleDefinition: Confidence, discipline, and outlook of a person or group at a given time (e.g., workplace morale).Etymology: From French moral in the mid‑18th century; respelled morale in English to preserve stress on the final...
2025-09-2522 minI Hate TalkingInterstellar Objects: 'Oumuamua, 3I-ATLAS, and moreSend us a text Links to materials mentioned in the episode:Link to book by Avi Loeb: Extraterrestrial: The First Sign of Intelligent Life Beyond Earth.Link to the paper co-authored by Avi Loeb: Is the Interstellar Object 3I/ATLAS Alien Technology? (PDF)Word(s) of the EpisodeʻOumuamuaHawaiian name for the first observed interstellar object (2017).Meaning: “A messenger from afar arriving first” or “advance scout.”Had unusual properties—possibly pancake-shaped, non-natural trajectory, and odd light reflections that led some scientists (e.g., Avi Loeb, Harvard) to propose it might be an artificial probe.3I/Atl...
2025-09-1828 minI Hate TalkingPareto Principle, the 80/20 Rule, and More Jumbotron AnticsSend us a text Episode MilestoneHosts note that Episode 75 feels like a meaningful number (cool, but not as significant as 60 was for them). Next true milestone will be Episode 100, expected in ~25 weeks.Word of the Episode: Pareto (Pareto Principle)Definition: The Pareto Principle or 80/20 rule: roughly 80% of consequences come from 20% of causes.History:Coined by Italian economist Wilfredo Pareto (1848–1923), originally observing that 20% of Italians owned 80% of land.Later applied by Joseph Juran to quality control (20% of causes lead to 80% of defects).Other Names: “Vital few,” “principle of factor sparsity.”Applications:Donations: 20% of donors ofte...
2025-09-1126 minI Hate TalkingPontification of Deadlines and UrgencySend us a text Word of the Episode: PontificateHosts’ Initial Guess:They believed it meant to think deeply to arrive at a decision.They even associated it with careful contemplation and resolution.Actual Definition (Oxford Languages):To express one’s opinions in an annoyingly pompous or dogmatic way.Far from quiet reflection—it's about pompous expression.Negative connotation, closer to “know‑it‑all” behavior.Additional Meaning: In Roman Catholic Church context, pontificate = officiate as a bishop at mass; also used as a noun for tenure (e.g., “the Pope’s pontificate”).Etymology: From Latin pontifex → Old French pontificat →...
2025-09-0434 minI Hate TalkingLibfixes, Diving Boards, and GenerositySend us a text Word of the Episode: LibfixDefinition: A “libfix” is a liberated suffix—when part of a word (often mistaken as a suffix) gets reanalyzed and reused as a suffix for other words.Examples:-gate (from Watergate): now used to mean “scandal” (e.g., Pizzagate, Elsagate).-core (from hardcore): extended to music genres or aesthetics (metalcore, cottagecore, tropicore in Animal Crossing).-holic (from alcoholic): becomes workaholic, shopaholic.-cation (from vacation): staycation, workcation.-punk (from cyberpunk): steampunk, dieselpunk, etc.Etymology: Libfix = “liberated suffix.” Differs from a normal suffix since it wasn’t originally a suff...
2025-08-2817 minI Hate TalkingSelf-Care versus Self-IndulgenceSend us a text Word of the Episode: PenitentUsage: Came up while studying Psalm 6 (one of the “penitential psalms”).Common Associations:Hosts thought it related to humility, kneeling, or seeking forgiveness.One recalled Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade, where the “penitent man kneels before God.”Also connected to penance.Dictionary Definition: Feeling or showing sorrow/regret for wrongdoings; repentant. As a noun, someone who repents.Etymology: From Latin paenitent- (“repenting”) → Old French → English. Related to penance.Fun fact: Appears in scientific term “penitent ethylene” (plants shedding leaves under stress, a kind of “repentance”).Main Discussion: Self-Car...
2025-08-2129 minI Hate TalkingOur One-Day Whirlwind Trip To Chicago - Part 2Send us a text This episode is Part 1 of the Chicago recap. Find Part 1 in episode 70 last week.Word of the Episode: Porta PottyDefinition: A portable, temporary toilet facility.Etymology:“Porta Potty” comes from portable potty, but its popularization is linked to a brand name, much like Kleenex.“Potty” derives from “pot” (as in chamber pot) with the diminutive suffix “-y/-ie.”In other cultures, “toilet” is the more common term; in ASL, “toilet” is used rather than “potty.”Chicago Trip Recap – Part 2Ancient History Museum VisitOfficially: Institute for the Study of Ancient Cultur...
2025-08-1429 minI Hate TalkingOur One-Day Whirlwind Trip To Chicago - Part 1Send us a text This episode is part 1 of the Chicago recap; it will continue in the next episode, including the promised description of the "Taj Mahal of porta potties" and covering the remaining tourist adventures.Word of the Episode: FlabbergastThe hosts dive into the word "flabbergast," inspired by previous use when describing the "Coldplay incident." They share their own definitions (astonished, shocked to the point of near speechlessness) before consulting official sources.Definition: To surprise greatly; astonish.Etymology:The origin is uncertain."Gast" is an archaic English word meaning "to frighten" or "s...
2025-08-0726 minI Hate TalkingOldies, Remakes, and Spin-OffsSend us a text Theme & Word of the Episode:The episode focuses on the word "oldie," exploring its definition, history, and how its meaning has shifted over time, especially in the context of music.Origin and Evolution:"Oldie" combines "old" with the suffix "-ie," recorded first in 1874 to describe an old person.By the 1940s, it expanded to refer to old tunes or films.In the 1960s, as radio became widespread, stations began using "oldies" to describe music from earlier decades (primarily the 1950s and 1960s).Phrase "Oldie but a Goodie":Credited t...
2025-07-3130 minI Hate TalkingBonus Onomatopeia Behind the ScenesSend us a text Special behind the scenes bonus episode:The hosts discuss how to represent a rewind sound (onomatopoeia). They debate whether to cut out a portion of the recording or continue, and ultimately decide to keep the candid moment because it's funny, then agree to continue from where they left off.---Any views expressed on this podcast are those solely of the hosts and is for entertainment purposes only. None of the content is medical advice or financial advice. Special thanks to Tim Wright aka CoLD S...
2025-07-2500 minI Hate TalkingOnomatopeia and the Sounds of ColdplaySend us a text The hosts continue their discussion on the word "onomatopoeia," elaborating on its definition (words that imitate sounds, like "splash" or "ping") and etymology (from Greek meaning "name making"), and exploring examples of onomatopoeia, especially in animal and bird names. They highlight how different languages create onomatopoeia differently (e.g., a duck’s sound is “quack” in English, “coin” in French, “gaga” in Japanese), and discuss how language, words, and their meanings evolve over time and across cultures.The episode shifts focus to a recent viral incident involving a “kiss cam” at a Coldplay concert...
2025-07-2439 minI Hate TalkingBloops, Bloopers, and TreesSend us a text The Word of the Episode: "Bloop""Bloop" Origins and Mysteries: The episode opens with a discussion about the word "bloop," notable in the hosts' family for its mysterious oceanic association. The "bloop" refers to an ultra-low-frequency underwater sound detected in 1997 by two hydrophones 5,000 miles apart. It initially fueled speculation about an unknown sea creature, fueled by the interests of one of the hosts' children.Scientific Explanation: Despite myths about sea monsters, the scientific consensus is that the "bloop" sound was caused by underwater seismic activity or icebergs colliding, specifically identified as an "i...
2025-07-1733 minI Hate TalkingRoshambo (alternatively known as Rock Paper Scissors)Send us a text Episode 66 of "I Hate Talking" shifts to a more lighthearted tone after two serious episodes, focusing on the word "Rochambeau," which is another name for the game rock-paper-scissors. The hosts discuss the debated origins of the term. One popular but incorrect urban legend claims that a French general named Rochambeau used the game to make battlefield decisions during the American Revolutionary War. However, the World Rock Paper Scissors Association debunks this, stating the term’s true origin is unclear but likely unrelated to the general.The game itself originated in China, pos...
2025-07-1016 minI Hate TalkingParallel Play - Part 2Send us a text Episode 65 of "I Hate Talking" centers on the word "cogitate" and continues the discussion about parallel play.The hosts introduce and explore the word "cogitate," which means to think deeply about something, tracing its Latin roots and comparing it with "meditate." They note that while both words involve deep thought, "cogitate" implies active, problem-focused thinking, whereas "meditate" often connotes relaxation or contemplation without a specific goal.The hosts discuss how "meditate" is more commonly used in modern English, while "cogitate" is rare and might be misunderstood if used in conversation. They highlight t...
2025-07-0328 minI Hate TalkingParallel Play - Part 1Send us a text The hosts discuss the concept of "parallel play," ultimately choosing it over other potential topics like "predictive programming" or "apse" for this episode.Definition and Origins:Parallel play originally describes a stage in child development where children play side by side without direct interaction, as a precursor to cooperative play.The term is now also applied to adults: it refers to people engaging in separate activities in the same physical space, such as one reading while the other watches TV, without direct interaction.Hosts’ Perspectives:One host dislikes par...
2025-06-2631 minI Hate TalkingPareidolia (Seeing Faces and More in Everyday Scenery)Send us a text Example #1: Person Standing Over Edge of A Cliff Seen In Background of One Photo but Not Another.Example #2: My family member went on a hike – but someone (or something) else showed up in her photo.The Pareidolia episode:Pareidolia is the tendency to perceive familiar patterns, especially faces, in random or ambiguous images and objects.Common examples include seeing faces in clouds, rock formations, or everyday items like breakfast foods.Etymology and OriginsThe term derives from Greek roots: "para" meaning "beyond" and "eidolon" mea...
2025-06-1924 minI Hate TalkingGoing Gangbusters on Personal Health and MoreSend us a text Main Topic: The Word "Gangbusters"The episode centers on the meaning, usage, and origin of the word "gangbusters," prompted by a listener request.The hosts initially discuss their own understanding, associating "gangbusters" with something that is very successful, energetic, or goes "all out."Dictionary definitions are referenced:(1) A police officer or person who breaks up criminal gangs.(2) Something very successful or performed exceptionally well.The term is noted as informal and primarily North American in usage.Etymology and Historical Usage"Gangbusters" originated from a popular 1930s–1950s radio show called "Gan...
2025-06-1227 minI Hate TalkingThings of Which We're Proud, Plus PlumbersSend us a text The episode centers around the etymology of the word "plumber" and segues into a broader discussion about pride, personal achievements, and learning styles.Key Points:Origin of "Plumber":The hosts discuss the word "plumber," tracing its roots to the Latin word plumbum (meaning lead), which is why the chemical symbol for lead is Pb. Historically, plumbers worked with lead pipes, hence the profession's name..Learning Styles:The conversation touches on different mnemonic techniques, with one host preferring visual mnemonics and the other auditory, highlighting how people remember i...
2025-06-0527 minI Hate TalkingBonus Knock Knock JokeSend us a text Bonus knock knock joke, following our humorous episode from yesterday!---Any views expressed on this podcast are those solely of the hosts and is for entertainment purposes only. None of the content is medical advice or financial advice. Special thanks to Tim Wright aka CoLD SToRAGE for his permission to use the song Operatique.
2025-05-3000 minI Hate TalkingWhat a Joke of an EpisodeSend us a text Episode Milestone and Word of the DayThe hosts discuss the significance of reaching episode 60, debating whether 50 or 60 is a more exciting milestone.The featured word is "rubric." They explore its meanings:In education and structure: a checklist or set of criteria to fulfill a purpose.In liturgical context: instructions for how a religious service should be conducted, not the service itself.As a category: grouping ideas under a broader concept.The etymology of "rubric" traces back to the Latin "rubeus" (meaning red), through Old French and Middle English, to modern English. T...
2025-05-2939 minI Hate TalkingLatin Terms and When To CommitSend us a text Key Terms and EtymologyDe Minimis: This Latin phrase, from "de minimis non curat lex" meaning "the law does not concern itself with trifles," refers to a threshold value in tariff law. Goods imported into the US below a certain dollar amount (e.g., $800) are considered trivial and not subject to tariffs, while those above are.Ad Valorem: Also Latin, meaning "according to the value," this term describes a tariff or tax that is a percentage of the value of goods, similar to a sales tax. An item can be subject to b...
2025-05-2225 min