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Artwork for Whole 9 Yards: Idioms, Etymology, & Origins

Whole 9 Yards: Idioms, Etymology, & Origins

Big Science Pods
Etymology
Idioms
Language
Idiom
Latchkey Kid
Language Evolution
Baseball
Hokum
Deck the Halls
Piping Hot
Zest
Open Sesame
Piss and Vinegar
Nick
Christmas Trees
Skiing
Cheesy
Hell Bent For Leather
Farming
Believe You Me

Whole 9 Yards is a weekly podcast that will simultaneously educate, astonish, and amuse. Listen while we share equivocal research about the origin of words, phrases, and idioms we use every day. From the team at Big Science Pods, we bring you the whole 9 yards, the entire kit and caboodle, the whole shebang of this quick, entertaining look at our language and the history therein. Learn why we call... more

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes321Founded6 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
Society & CultureEducationLanguage Learning

Listen to this Podcast

Artwork for Whole 9 Yards: Idioms, Etymology, & Origins

Latest Episodes

Episode 319: Jay & Ray groove with some Gs.

• disgruntle

• grub

Subscribe, review, and come find us on BlueSky, Insta, &  FB.

Big Science Music is an award-winning original music and sound boutique. Providing scoring, sound design, radio, podcast,... more

Episode 318: Jay & Ray get squared away with some idioms.

• spic and span

• squared away

Subscribe, review, and come find us on BlueSky, Insta, &  FB.

Big Science Music is an award-winning original music and sound boutique. Providing scoring, soun... more

Episode 317: Jay & Ray have idioms flying out their wazoo.

• teetotaller

• wazoo

Subscribe, review, and come find us on BlueSky, Insta, &  FB.

Big Science Music is an award-winning original music and sound boutique. Providing scoring, sound design... more

Episode 315: Jay & Ray have some piping hot idioms.

• piping hot

• bellwether

Subscribe, review, and come find us on BlueSky, Insta, &  FB.

Big Science Music is an award-winning original music and sound boutique. Providing scoring, sound design, r... more

Key Facts

Accepts Sponsors
Contact Information
Podcast Host
Number of Listeners
Find out how many people listen to this podcast per episode and each month.

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Recent Guests

Harlan Garrett
Author of 'The Blood of a Butterfly'
None
Episode: W9Y Has The Scuttlebutt
Harland Garrett
Author and novelist
Independent Author
Episode: W9Y Is Spic and Span

Hosts

Jay
Co-host and lead facilitator, guides discussions on idioms and etymology with a personable, curiosity-driven approach.
Raymond
Co-host who contributes context, reactions, and personality to etymology-led conversations.

Reviews

4.9 out of 5 stars from 74 ratings
  • I’m late to the party!!

    I got a kick out of this! These are the questions I mull over and I often get the brush off or a cold shoulder….😉

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Mokilee
    United Statesa year ago
  • TGIF

    Keep ‘em coming!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Souixzzzzz
    United Statesa year ago
  • Word Nerds Unite!

    Just a thank you to these two for making sense out of the nonsense that comes out of my mouth. Love you, gentlemen!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    KaycieBee
    United States2 years ago
  • Fun and informative

    I enjoy learning the stories behind various idioms and words. This podcast has a nice casual format and is quite fun to listen and learn. Thank you!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    BonesIV
    United States2 years ago
  • love

    love

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    lickstank
    United States2 years ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Audience enjoys sponsor integration and listener engagement prompts.
Regulars appreciate the mix of historical trivia and practical language insights.
Fans love the educational yet entertaining approach to etymology.
Listeners praise the hosts' banter and clear explanations.

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Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

W9Y Gets Pissed
Q: Have you seen Grandad this week?
No. How's he doing? He's as lively as ever. Full of piss and vinegar, that one.
W9Y Gets Pissed
Q: Do you say this phrase?
I have not.
W9Y Gets A Little Lazy
Q: What is the origin of the phrase, 'lazy Susan'?
The term "lazy Susan" is first documented in a 1917 advertisement in Vanity Fair, which referred to it as the 'cleverest waitress in the world' that helped serve food more easily.
W9Y Breaks the Ice
Q: Does the figurative use of 'break the ice' predate the literal usage?
The hosts discuss the origins of the phrase, suggesting that literally breaking ice for navigation occurred before its figurative social usage became popular.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
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Professions
Age Range
Household Income
Social Media Reach

Frequently Asked Questions About This Podcast

What is This Podcast about and what kind of topics does it cover?

Two hosts deliver a lively, accessible deep-dive into idioms, etymology, and language history, mixing research with casual banter and pop culture references. Episodes center on word origins, shifts in meaning, and how everyday phrases evolved—from traditional sources to modern usage—often ending with sponsor plugs and listener engagement. The format tends toward teachable, entertaining explorations rather than formal debates, with a clear emphasis on curiosity, humor, and practical language insight. Notable for its steady focus on word origins and the playful dynamics between hosts, it's likely to appeal to language lovers, translators, teachers, and trivia fans who enjoy thoughtful storytelling paired with light banter.

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Which podcasts are similar to this podcast?

These podcasts share a similar audience with this podcast:

1. Etymoleon - Word History, the etymology podcast.
2. SmartLess
3. Handsome
4. Savor
5. Conan O’Brien Needs A Friend

How many episodes of this podcast are there?

this podcast launched 6 years ago and published 321 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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Recent guests on this podcast include:

1. Harlan Garrett
2. Harland Garrett

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