The Why of Words

The Why of Words

Every day, one word, two minutes. The Why of Words explores the surprising origins of the words you use every day -- where they came from, how they changed, and what they reveal about the world that made them. Created and curated by Sticky Note Podcasts with AI assistance

Episodes

April 10, 2026 1 min
Explore the surprising medieval origins of 'freelance.' Contrary to popular belief, the word doesn't come from the free market or Silicon Valley, but from 15th-century mercenary soldiers called 'free lances'—warriors with no feudal master or loyalty contracts.

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Discover the surprising origin of 'budget'—a word that started as a simple leather pouch in Old French (bougette) and evolved to shape how we discuss money today. This etymology reveals how everyday objects can transform into serious financial terminology.

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Explore the surprising origins of the word "fee" in this etymology deep dive. Contrary to common assumption, fee has nothing to do with payment or charges—it actually traces back to Old English feoh, meaning cattle or livestock, reflecting how wealth was measured in Germanic cultures.

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Discover the surprising origin of 'bankrupt' rooted in Renaissance Italy. The word comes from 'banca rotta'—literally a broken bench—stemming from the practice of smashing money changers' desks when they failed financially.

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Explore the popular myth that Roman soldiers were paid in salt, giving us the word 'salary' from Latin salarium. Modern scholars cast doubt on this origin story, revealing the truth behind one of history's most memorable etymologies.

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April 2, 2026 1 min

Every day, one word, two minutes. The Why of Words explores the surprising origins of the words you use every day -- where they came from, how they changed, and what they reveal about the world that made them. New episodes every morning. Created by Sticky Note Studios and curated by Danny, with assistance from AI tools.



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More from Sticky Note Podcasts:
Deep in the Stacks (daily jazz vinyl) | Required Drinking (c...
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Mark as Played

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