Best June Bug Podcasts (2025)

1
Kiss the Cow (Rebroadcast) - 3 March 2025 53:45

4d ago53:45

53:45

An anadrome is a word that forms a whole new word when you spell it backwards. For example, the word “stressed” spelled backwards is “desserts.” Some people’s first names are anadromes. There’s the girl named Noel in honor of her father Leon, and the woman named Edna who adopted the name Ande. Speaking of names, know anybody whose occupation fits t…

1
Listen Now: Scam Factory 6:06

11d ago6:06

6:06

You know those messages that you get all the time, the ones that pop up out of nowhere? They could be real, but something about them seems fishy. You likely dismiss these texts and emails as mere annoyances, thinking you’ve stopped some random stranger from ripping you off. But the shocking truth is, the person behind that message might be trapped …

1
Smack Dab - 24 February 2025 53:45

11d ago53:45

53:45

A flashlight emits a steady beam of light. So what’s the flash part of that word about? Also, if you’re a nervous Nellie, you’re skittish and indecisive—both characteristics of an American politician who earned that nickname in the 1920s. And, rhinestone: The name of this sparkly fake gem has a history that involves a famous river in Europe. Plus, …

1
Lead on Macduff (Rebroadcast) - 17 February 2025 53:45

18d ago53:45

53:45

For rock climbers, skiers, and other outdoor enthusiasts, the word send has taken on a whole new meaning. You might cheer on a fellow snowboarder with Send it, bro! — and being sendy is a really great thing. Plus: a nostalgic trip to Willa Cather’s’ Nebraska home inspires a reading from one of her classic books about life on the American prairie. A…

1
Introducing: Blood Vines 8:27

22d ago8:27

8:27

Get ready for a whole new vintage of true crime podcast with Blood Vines, available exclusively on Wondery+.Hosted by Chris Walker, this full-bodied series uncorks the never-before-told story of the Licciardi family - one of the most powerful wine dynasties in California history - who almost brought down the entire industry over a family battle for…

1
Holy Toledo - 10 February 2025 53:45

25d ago53:45

53:45

In 1944, an Italian scientist discovered a drug that he later named for his wife. His wife’s name was Marguerite, but she went by Rita — which is why this now familiar drug is known as Ritalin. Plus, a poem about churning butter shows how a writer can draw astonishing beauty out of the most everyday of tasks. And the exclamation holy Toledo! probab…

1
Tribble Trouble (Rebroadcast) - 3 February 2025 53:45

1M ago53:45

53:45

In Cockney rhyming slang, apples and pears is a synonym for "stairs," and dustbin lids means kids. Plus, sniglets are clever coinages for things we don't already have words for. Any guesses what incogsneeto means? It's the act of trying to hide your sneeze while wearing a face mask. Also, how the vocabulary of science fiction influences our everyda…

1
Ring-Tailed Tooter (Rebroadcast) - 27 January 2025 53:45

1M ago53:45

53:45

National Book Award winner Barry Lopez had wise advice for young writers. First, read widely and follow your curiosity. Second, travel or learn a foreign language. And third, find out what you truly believe, because if you’re not writing from your beliefs, then you’re just passing along information. And: if someone says they’re going to plant flags…

1
Potato Wagon - 20 January 2025 53:45

2M ago53:45

53:45

Thunderstorms might sound scary, but playful explanations for all those booms can help reassure little ones: How about the potato wagon’s rolling over the bridge? Or the angels are going bowling? Plus, if you just finished enjoying an audiobook, you might say you’ve read it, but a listener asks if there’s a better word. And: towns with names that a…

1
What the Blazes (Rebroadcast) - 13 January 2025 53:45

2M ago53:45

53:45

What kind of book do people ask for most often in prison? Romance novels? No. The Bible? No. The most requested books by far are … dictionaries! A number of volunteer organizations gather and distribute used dictionaries to help inmates with reading, writing, and schoolwork. Plus: For some low-tech family fun, how about egg-tapping? Traditionally p…

1
RADIO DOCTOR 06 JANUARY 2024 5:34

2M ago5:34

5:34

The Radio doctor looks at the joys of the new year including the so called "quandremic" . . flu, RSV, norovirus and covid. Keep up with those new year's resolutions!By Manx Radio

1
Mudlarking (Rebroadcast) - 6 January 2025 53:45

2M ago53:45

53:45

Twice a day the River Thames recedes, revealing a muddy shoreline. Hobbyists known as mudlarks stroll the surface searching for objects that have found their way into the river over the centuries, everything from ancient Roman jewelry to modern wedding rings. A new book about mudlarking describes the irresistible appeal of searching for treasures a…

1
Snaggletooth (Rebroadcast) - 30 December 2024 53:45

2M ago53:45

53:45

Many of us struggled with the Old English poem “Beowulf” in high school. But what if you could actually hear “Beowulf” in the English of today? There’s a new translation by Maria Dahvana Headley that uses contemporary language and even internet slang to create a fresh take on this centuries-old poem — right down to addressing the reader as Bro! Als…

1
Honkus Bonkus - 23 December 2024 53:45

2M ago53:45

53:45

The phrase old as Methuselah describes someone quite advanced in years. In ancient scripture, Methuselah was a man who somehow lived to the ripe old age of 969. Plus, a heartwarming book for children tells the story of how a Puerto Rican family adapted their traditions to fit their new life in the Midwest. And if you say this ain’t my first rodeo, …

1
Like a Boiled Owl (Rebroadcast) - 16 December 2024 53:45

3M ago53:45

53:45

What’s it like to hike the Pacific Crest Trail all the way from Mexico to Canada? You’ll end up with sore muscles and blisters, and great stories to tell. Along the way, you’ll also pick up some slang, like NoBo, SoBo, Yo-yo and Hike Naked Day, an annual event that’s pretty much what it sounds like. Plus, which came first, the color orange or the f…

1
Price of Tea - 9 December 2024 53:45

3M ago53:45

53:45

The words cushy, cheeky, and non-starter all began as Britishisms, then hopped across the pond to the United States. A new book examines what happens when British words and phrases migrate into American English. Also, if you speak a language besides English, how should you pronounce words and names from that language when you’re currently speaking …

1
Your Two Cents (Rebroadcast) - 2 December 2024 53:45

3M ago53:45

53:45

Astronauts returning from space say they experience what’s called the overview effect, a new understanding of the fragility of our planet and our need to reflect on what humans all share as a species. A book about the end of the universe offers a similar change in perspective — along with some fascinating language. Plus, different names for a delic…

1
Space Frogs - 25 November 2024 53:45

3M ago53:45

53:45

Scientists have named some recently discovered species of tree frogs after characters from Star Trek. Why? Because of the boops and trills and other sounds that these frogs make. And: naming your children with the virtues you hope they’ll develop as adults, like Patience and Hope. But in Puritan and Quaker tradition, so-called virtue names were oft…

1
RADIO DOCTOR 18 NOV 2024 - Prostate cancer, fertility and assisted dying 5:51

4M ago5:51

5:51

The Radio Doctor discusses prostate cancer, fertility in the country and the ongoing moves to allow assisted dyingBy Manx Radio

1
Sock it to Me (Rebroadcast) - 18 November 2024 53:45

4M ago53:45

53:45

In the 15th century, the word respair meant “to have hope again.” Although this word fell out of use, it’s among dozens collected in a new book of soothing vocabulary for troubled times. Plus, baseball slang: If a batter doesn’t pour the pine,” an outfielder may snag a can of corn, or “an easily caught fly ball.” And the 1960s TV show “Laugh-In” sp…

1
Cut the Mustard - 11 November 2024 53:45

4M ago53:45

53:45

Do people who work together sound alike? Yes! Over time, they may begin to develop similar patterns of speech, or what might be called an “occupational accent” that helps them communicate efficiently. Also, lots of familiar words in English got their start not in the languages of Europe, but in Asia — words including bungalow, ketchup, and avatar. …

1
RADIO DOCTOR 04 NOVEMBER - Discussing the issue of suicide 6:11

4M ago6:11

6:11

The Radio Doctor talks about issues relating to suicide and how help is always available for those who feel they can see no way forward in their livesBy Manx Radio

1
Good Vibrations (Rebroadcast) - 4 November 2024 53:45

4M ago53:45

53:45

Asthenosphere, a geologist’s term for the molten layer beneath the earth’s crust, sparks a journey that stretches all the way from ancient Greece to the author of Uncle Tom’s Cabin. Plus: What the heck is a dogberg? It’s when a dog runs into you and knocks you over. This bit of slang was inspired by a professional wrestler who finished off his oppo…

1
Kitten Britches - 28 October 2024 53:45

4M ago53:45

53:45

How and why do words from one language find their way into another? Vietnamese, for instance, includes lots of words borrowed or adapted from French. Such linguistic mixing often happens when languages brush up against each other and speakers reach for a word that feels more useful. Plus: “unparalleled misalignments” are pairs of phrases in which t…

1
Mystery Drawer (Rebroadcast) - 21 October 2024 53:45

5M ago53:45

53:45

Amid court-ordered busing in the 1970s, a middle-school teacher tried to distract her nervous students on the first day of class with this strange assignment: find a monarch caterpillar. The result? A memorable lesson in the miracle of metamorphosis. Plus, the story behind the slang interjection word!, meaning “believe me!” The original version inv…

1
RADIO DOCTOR 15 OCTOBER - CPR and Defibs 4:59

5M ago4:59

4:59

Could you perform CPR? Or operate a defibrillator ? The Radio Doctor considers cases of sudden cardiac arrestBy Manx Radio

1
Deviled Eggs (Rebroadcast) - 14 October 2024 53:45

5M ago53:45

53:45

Some TV commercials launch catchphrases that stick around long after the original ads. The exclamation Good stuff, Maynard! is still a compliment almost 40 years after it was used in a commercial for Malt-O-Meal hot cereal. And: what do you call that room where the whole family gathers? The family room? The den? The TV room? Names for that part of …

1
Navel-Gazing (Rebroadcast) - 7 October 2024 53:45

5M ago53:45

53:45

In 1971, when a new public library opened in Troy, Michigan, famous authors and artists were invited to write letters to the city’s youngest readers, extolling the many benefits of libraries. One of the loveliest was from E.B. White, author of Charlotte’s Web. Plus, you may think navel-gazing is a relatively new idea — but it goes back at least to …

1
Midnight Oil - 30 September 2024 53:45

5M ago53:45

53:45

What exactly is a planet? Controversy over this question led to Pluto’s redefinition, along with a brand-new English word. And: Some people now use the phrase all the things! to mean and whatnot or you know what I mean. This new sense of all the things comes from a hilarious cartoon in which someone approaches daily tasks with exceptional vigor. Sp…

1
Yak Shaving (Rebroadcast) - 23 September 2024 53:45

6M ago53:45

53:45

There was a time when William Shakespeare was just another little seven-year-old in school. Classes in his day were demanding — and all in Latin. A new book argues that this rigorous curriculum actually nurtured the creativity that later flourished in Shakespeare’s writing. Plus, why do we refer to an unpredictable person as a loose cannon? The ans…

1
RADIO DOCTOR 16 SEPTEMBER 2024 - bugs, COVID and RSV 4:10

6M ago4:10

4:10

The Radio Doctor discusses the early autumn chills and bugs, COVID and Respiratory Synctial Virus or RSVBy Manx Radio

1
Easy as Pie - 16 September 2024 53:45

6M ago53:45

53:45

How hot is it? Well, poet Dylan Thomas found lots of memorable ways to describe a heat wave. In one letter to a friend, he wrote that it was so hot “My brains are hanging out like a dog’s tongue.” And: pestering country music stars for selfies is a big no-no in Nashville. In fact, the locals even have a word for it. Also, why do we say something’s …

1
Cabin Fever (Rebroadcast) - 9 September 2024 53:45

6M ago53:45

53:45

The adjectives canine and feline refer to dogs and cats. But how does English address other groups of animals? Plus, cabin fever has been around much longer than the current pandemic. That restless, antsy, stir-crazy feeling goes back to the days when you could find yourself literally cooped up all winter in a cabin on the wild frontier. And, in Hu…

1
Toad in the Hole - 2 September 2024 53:45

6M ago53:45

53:45

An ambitious effort to install poetry in national parks around the United States features the work of beloved poets in beautiful spots. It’s a reminder that “Nature is not a place to visit. Nature is who we are.” Also, Google Translate has expanded its offerings with 110 more languages. And: what’s an oatsmobile? Hint: it has four legs. Plus, bushw…

1
RADIO DOCTOR 29 AUGUST 2024 - lack of summer, polio and weight loss treatments 5:36

6M ago5:36

5:36

The Radio Doctor ponders a non-existent summer, the re-appearance of polio in Gaza and non-prescribed weight-loss treatmentsBy Manx Radio

1
Singing Sand (Rebroadcast) - 26 August 2024 53:45

6M ago53:45

53:45

Cat hair may be something you brush off, but cat hair is also a slang term that means “money.” In the same way, cat beer isn’t alcoholic — some people use cat beer as a joking term for “milk.” And imagine walking on a beach with a long stretch of shoreline. With each step, the ground makes a squeaking sound under your feet. There’s a term for the k…

1
Make a Beeline - 19 August 2024 53:45

7M ago53:45

53:45

If you make a beeline for something, you’re taking the shortest route possible. You’re also mimicking bee-havior! After a bee has visited enough flowers to gather nectar, she flies straight back to the hive. And: Even a word like throttlebottom looks gorgeous if a calligrapher gets hold of it. Plus, the Oxford English Dictionary added the word baby…

1
Baby's Breath (Rebroadcast) - 12 August 2024 53:45

7M ago53:45

53:45

Have you ever googled your own name and found someone else who goes by the very same moniker? There’s a word for that: googleganger. Plus, the language of hobbyists and enthusiasts: If you’re a beekeeper, perhaps you call yourself a beek, and if you’re an Adult Fan of Lego you may refer to yourself as an AFOL. Also: what will you get if you order a…

1
Pickled Peppers - 5 August 2024 53:45

7M ago53:45

53:45

Names don’t always mean what you think they mean. Main Street in San Francisco is named after businessman Charles Main, and Snowflake, Arizona, honors two guys named Snow and Flake. Plus, big words for small people: A colorful new book introduces kids to colossal words (including the word colossal!). And limber up those muscles — we have a trove of…

1
RADIO DOCTOR JULY 29 - IT outages and sleeping tablets 5:31

7M ago5:31

5:31

The Radio doctor reflects on the effects of the mass IT outage and an increasing demand for sleeping tablets.By Manx Radio

1
Hog on Ice (Rebroadcast) - 29 July 2024 53:45

7M ago53:45

53:45

One secret to writing well is . . . there is no secret! There's no substitute for simply sitting down day after day to practice the craft and learn from your mistakes. Plus, childhood mixups around word definitions can lead to some funny stories. After all, if you didn't know any better, why wouldn't you assume a thesaurus is a prehistoric creature…

1
Minor Planets - 22 July 2024 53:45

8M ago53:45

53:45

There are eight major planets, but more than a million minor ones, including asteroids. If you discover one, you get the honor of naming it. The Dictionary of Minor Planet Names includes minor planets named for rock bands, jazz musicians, poets, and more. Plus, if you’re waaaaaaaaaay interested in something, you can say so in writing: just add lots…

1
Goody Two-Shoes (Rebroadcast) - 15 July 2024 53:45

8M ago53:45

53:45

She sells seashells by the seashore. Who is the she in this tongue twister? Some claim it’s the young Mary Anning, who went on to become a famous 19th-century British paleontologist. Dubious perhaps, but the story of her rise from seaside salesgirl to renowned scientist is fascinating. Also: countless English words were inspired by Greek and Roman …

1
RADIO DOCTOR 08 JULY 2024 5:07

8M ago5:07

5:07

Covid, viral chest infections, diarrhoea, vomiting and horseflies - all in a day's work for the radio doctor.By Manx Radio

1
Pinking Shears - 8 July 2024 53:45

8M ago53:45

53:45

When you’re distracted by trying to get the perfect photo at a wedding or fiddling with your camera during a solar eclipse, you’re missing out on some of the experience itself. There’s a term for this: It’s called overshadowing. Plus one of Lionel Hampton’s old bandmates recalls hearing him greet fellow musicians with “How you doing, gates?” It may…

1
Baby Blues (Rebroadcast) - 1 July 2024 53:45

8M ago53:45

53:45

A hundred years ago, suffragists lobbied to win women the right to vote. Linguistically speaking, though, suffrage isn’t about “suffering.” It’s from a Latin word that involves voting. Plus: military cadences often include Jody calls, rhyming verses about the mythical guy who steals your sweetheart while you’re off serving the country. But just who…

1
Drunk Unk from Tuff Heart Podcast and Eric from Erica's America Podcast Audio Only 41:07

8M ago41:07

41:07

🎙️ Join Drunk Unk from Tuff Heart Podcast and Eric from Erica's America Podcast as they hilariously recount their unforgettable experience at the movie premiere of "Up North," presented by Crim Film & Hustle God Ent featuring Criminal Manne!🍿 Sit back and enjoy as they try their best to piece together and share their wild adventures from the premie…

1
Drunk Unk from Tuff Heart Podcast and Eric from Erica's America Podcast 39:23

8M ago39:23

39:23

🎙️ Join Drunk Unk from Tuff Heart Podcast and Eric from Erica's America Podcast as they hilariously recount their unforgettable experience at the movie premiere of "Up North," presented by Crim Film & Hustle God Ent featuring Criminal Manne!🍿 Sit back and enjoy as they try their best to piece together and share their wild adventures from the premie…

1
Sleeve Island - 24 June 2024 53:45

9M ago53:45

53:45

Language from inside a monastery. A Benedictine monk in the Episcopal Church shares terms from his world: For example, corporate prayer refers to praying as a group. And did you know there’s a term of art for those annoying add-on costs when you buy tickets online? It’s called drip pricing. Plus: Why do we hear the word Perfect! when we’ve answered…

1
Walkie Talkie (Rebroadcast) - 17 June 2024 53:45

9M ago53:45

53:45

One of the most powerful words you’ll ever hear — and one of the most poignant — isn’t in dictionaries yet. But it probably will be one day. The word is endling, and it means “the last surviving member of a species.” The surprising story behind this word includes a doctor in a Georgia convalescent center, a museum exhibit in Australia, the Tasmania…

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