For the month of May we are kicking off a series, I’m calling foundations. This is the first episode in that mini-series.

Freedom is one of the most powerful—and most misunderstood—words in the English language. In this extended deep-dive, TJ traces the word from its ancient Proto-Indo-European roots to its modern cultural clashes. Along the way, we examine what freedom meant to medieval peasants, Civil War soldiers, civil rights activists, post-9/11 veterans, and protestors across the globe. This isn’t just about politics—it’s about language, identity, and the stories we tell when we say we’re free.

This episode is dedicated to all those who have stood up, spoken out, and sacrificed for freedom.

Sources

• Oxford English Dictionary, "freedom," "free"
• Online Etymology Dictionary
• Declaration of Independence, U.S. Archives
• The Emancipation Proclamation, 1863
• Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., "I Have a Dream," 1963
• FDR's Four Freedoms Speech, 1941
• Arabic chant translations from the Arab Spring
• Scholarly work: Orlando Patterson, Freedom in the Making of Western Culture
• John Lewis interviews and writings
• Jon Meacham, The Soul of America
• Various translations from native speakers & linguistic databases

Music Credit Courtesy of Alegend from https://pixabay.com/users/jeremusic70-25199461/

Send us a text

Share your suggestion for words or phrases, thoughts on the episodes, or just engage with us on Instagram : https://www.instagram.com/lexiconnedpodcast/

How Horse Racing Shaped the Way We Speak
Dark horse. Down to the wire. Photo finish.
These aren’t just racing terms—they’re the language of life, competition, and culture.

In this special Lexiconned bonus episode, TJ heads to the track—linguistically speaking—to explore 12 iconic phrases that began at the races but ended up everywhere else.

From political campaigns to product launches, these metaphors shape how we think about odds, momentum, and last-minute victories.

And with the Kentucky Derby as our backdrop, this is one episode that truly goes the distance.

Don't forget to check out the podcast Short Pour

Sources

• Disraeli, Benjamin. The Young Duke (1831) – First use of “dark horse”
• Library of Congress – U.S. Presidential Election Archives
• Oxford English Dictionary – Entries for “neck and neck,” “long shot,” “front-runner,” “post time,” “photo finish,” etc.
• New York Clipper (1850s–1870s) – Early racing journalism
• Chicago Daily Tribune (1890s) – “Down to the wire” in print
• Harper’s Weekly (1858) – “Homestretch” usage in racing
• New York Times Archives (1896) – “Also-ran” in sports coverage
• Louisville Courier-Journal (1925) – Bill Corum coins “Run for the Roses”
• Racing Post (2020) – “Camera Ready: The History of the Photo Finish”
• National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame – Historical records
• Merriam-Webster – First recorded uses of key phrases
• Brooklyn Daily Eagle (1905) – “Off to the races” early figurative use
• Congressional Records (1916) – “In the homestretch” political usage
• Kentucky Horse Racing Commission Archives – “Win, Place, Show” history

Send us a text

Share your suggestion for words or phrases, thoughts on the episodes, or just engage with us on Instagram : https://www.instagram.com/lexiconnedpodcast/

In this episode, TJ dives into the frustrating and humorously ironic history of "red tape." From King Charles V’s attempts at administrative modernization to modern-day governmental battles against paperwork, discover why bureaucracy never seems to die. Prepare yourself for a journey through layers of officialdom and comedic despair—welcome to the tangled world of red tape!

Don't forget to check out the podcast Short Pour

#bureucracysucks

Sources:

• "Red Tape: Its Origins, Uses, and Abuses," Thomas Carlyle, historical writings.
• "The Oxford Dictionary of Phrase and Fable," edited by Elizabeth Knowles, Oxford University Press.
• Brewer's Dictionary of Phrase and Fable, 19th edition, edited by Susie Dent, Chambers Harrap Publishers Ltd.
• “The True History of Bureaucracy,” by John Merriman, Yale University Press.
• "Origins of English Words and Phrases," by Robert Hendrickson, Facts on File Inc.
• US National Archives, pieces of history article
  https://prologue.blogs.archives.gov/2021/10/21/holding-it-together-from-red-tape-to-grommets/#:~:text=While%20red%20tape%20is%20used,154%20miles%20of%20red%20tape.

Send us a text

Share your suggestion for words or phrases, thoughts on the episodes, or just engage with us on Instagram : https://www.instagram.com/lexiconnedpodcast/