Fifty Words For Snow

Fifty Words For Snow

A linguistic expedition into brave new words. Maggie Rowe and Emily John Garcés hunt for words that lack an English equivalent. They like to think of themselves as Dora the Explorers of language, with their rucksacks and hats and notebooks and magnifying glasses, embarking on a cultural adventure, hunting and gathering useful new word specimens from far flung continents, and holding them up to see what new light they shine on old ideas.

Episodes

July 3, 2025 32 mins
Maggie and Emily learn the word slán abhaile from Hiberno-English speaker Jimmy Doyle. Pop quiiz with Eric Giancoli. Poem by Emily: Slán abhaile.
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Maggie and Emily are back for season two with new episodes. They discuss meeting for the first time in Belfast in the flesh and learn the Irish word craic from Leonie McDonagh. Poem by Maggie: Craic.
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Rerun of Episode 10 Ancient Greek Anchors plus word in action "scarpetta" with Susan Levinson.
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Rerun of episode 9 Hawaiian Harmony plus a poem for the wildflower downingia by Norm Milstein.
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Rerun of episode eight Yiddish Yums plus poetry from Philipp de Vries.
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Rerun of episode 7 Spanish Specials plus poetry by Swedish poet Tomas Walch.
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Rerun of Episode Six Chinese Charms plus bonus: two poems by Danish Ulrick Dam.
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Rerun of Episode Five: Hindi Horizons Plus Jake Labotz sings the theme song for 50 Words For Snow: Love Advice From Grandma, one of Maggie's favorite songs ever.
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Rerun on Episode Four Bengali Bounty plus "guest music" - the song City Girl with Amy Correia and Kimon Kirk.
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Rerun of Episode Three German Gems plus Words on the Brink song "Rock Tree River" with Amy Correia and Kimon Kirk.
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Rerun of Episode Two Japanese Jewels plus Words On Trial song "You Go Your Way" with Amy Correia and Kimon Kirk.
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Rerun of episode one Dutch Delights. Bonus: Italian actress Laura James shares how to swear in Italian.
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April 10, 2025 35 mins
The final episode of season one. Maggie and Emily scoop up the last bits of interviews (like a scarpetta – a piece of bread used to mop up last bits of sauce) and review their favorite word specimens found on their expedition
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April 3, 2025 31 mins
Maggie and Emily learn the Scottish words haar and coorie from Scotland native Lynsay Mackay. They discuss with Steve O'Donnell a word he has coined: Arbeitstraumschreck. Word in Action "hurkle durkle" with Eric Giancoli and poem by Maggie: Hurkle Durkle; For Those Who Stay in Bed.
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Maggie and Emily talk with author Leigh Cowart about the terms nociception and hyperalgesia. They discuss embarrassing sounds with actress Naomi Grossman and learn the term vinted coined by Bonnie Harvey and Michael Houlihan. Poem by Emily: Oi Void.
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Maggie and Emily learn the poker terms “pot committed” and “on tilt” from TV writer producer poker champion Matt Salsberg. They talk with philosopher Pete Rollins about freedom from the pursuit of happiness. Poem by Maggie: On Tilt.
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Maggie and Emily learn the Japanese words ikigai and okagesama from native speakers Masami Covey and Yujiro Seki. Word in action “apisoir” with Eric Giancoli and poem by Emily: Ikigai.
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Maggie and Emily learn about murmurations and zugunruhe from Ballona Wetlands tour guide Susan Levinson. Isi the Scribe discuss (and shares a poem) about animal collective nouns. Poem by Maggie: Zugunruhe.
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Maggie and Emily learn the words from “terroir” and “noble rot” from wine educator  Nora Murphy. They discover “apisoir” with Michael Alberty and “aha-mnesty” with C. Brian Smith. Poem by Emily:  Terroir.
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Maggie and Emily discuss the Buddhist words dukkha and mudita with Zen priest Senshin and put the word “karma” on trial with judge Matthew Laura Aitken. Poem by Maggie: Not To My Liking.
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