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/

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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

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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.

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Ever wondered why we divide our time into a seven-day cycle? Why is Sunday the “sun” day, and Wednesday such a spelling nightmare? In this episode of Lexiconned, TJ takes you through the history, mythology, and linguistic evolution of our week’s daily roll call—from celestial bodies to Norse gods, and a bit of Roman imperial influence. Learn how these seven words structure our lives and why we’re still stuck with them after thousands of years.

Sources:

1. Harper, Douglas. Online Etymology Dictionary
2. Oxford English Dictionary
3. Beard, Mary. SPQR: A History of Ancient Rome
4. Crystal, David. The Stories of English
5. Lindow, John. Norse Mythology: A Guide to Gods, Heroes, Rituals, and Beliefs

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From Augusta’s fairways to your next metaphorical mulligan, the language of golf has reached far beyond the course. In this witty and word-rich episode of Lexiconned, we explore the origins, myths, and double meanings behind 18 iconic golf terms—from par and birdie to duff, shank, and mulligan.

Whether you're a scratch golfer or a vocabulary duffer, this episode tees up the surprising ways golf talk has made its way into everyday speech—and culture at large.

Warning: May cause spontaneous whispering and sudden urges to wear pastel.

#podcast #language #golf #Masters

Sources

• Oxford English Dictionary – Entries for “par,” “bogey,” “mulligan,” “fore,” and more
• Online Etymology Dictionary – Golf term origins, including “hook,” “slice,” “duff,” and “drive”
• The USGA and R&A – Official rules and definitions of golf terms
• “The Historical Dictionary of Golfing Terms” by Peter Davies
• Atlantic City Country Club Archives – Birdie origin story
• The New York Times & Maclean’s Magazine – First printed use of “eagle”
• Samuel Taylor Coleridge – The Rime of the Ancient Mariner (re: albatross)
• BBC Sports History Archives – Bogeyman and Colonel Bogey references
• Golf Digest & Golf.com – Cultural references and Masters history
• The Simpsons, Season 1–34 – Honorary source for “Duff”

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From mythological warrior women to the largest rainforest on Earth to the global e-commerce empire that changed how we shop, the word Amazon has carried power and mystery across millennia. In this episode of Lexiconned, we explore the Greek origins of the word, the colonial rebranding of a mighty river, and how a small online bookstore became an economic titan. Was the Amazon River really named after fierce female warriors? Did ancient Amazons actually exist? And what does Jeff Bezos have to do with all of this? Tune in for an etymological deep dive into one of the world’s most influential words.

Sources:

• Herodotus, Histories
• Francisco de Orellana’s expedition accounts
• Modern linguistic research on Scythian and Persian influences
• Historical analyses of Indigenous Amazonian cultures
• Business histories detailing the founding of Amazon.com

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What makes a constitution? In this episode of Lexiconned, we unravel the history, evolution, and deeper meanings of the word ‘Constitution.’ From its Latin origins in ancient Rome to its transformation into the guiding principles of nations, we explore how this word has adapted over centuries—much like the U.S. Constitution itself. Whether you’re a history buff, a language lover, or just someone who enjoys a good etymology deep dive, this episode has something for you. Stay curious, stay kind, and try to stay out of trouble—this is Lexiconned

Sources:

1. Oxford English Dictionary – ‘Constitution’ Etymology
2. Merriam-Webster – Historical Uses and Meanings of ‘Constitution’
3. The Federalist Papers – Origins of the U.S. Constitution
4. Britannica – Constitutional Systems Around the World
5. Ancient Roman Legal Codes – Use of Constitutio in Imperial Decrees
6. National Archives – History and Amendments of the U.S. Constitution
7. Jane Austen, Pride and Prejudice – Literary Use of ‘Constitution’
8. Dungeons & Dragons Player’s Handbook – ‘Constitution’ as a Stamina Attribute
9. Library of Congress – Evolution and Interpretations of the Constitution Over Time
10. Harvard Law Review – The U.S. Constitution as a Living Document

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In this episode we dive into the history of measles, a word that originated from Latin misellus, meaning "little miserable". Through a first-hand narrative set in 1912, we witness the devastating impact of measles in a world before vaccines. We explore its linguistic origins, its historical outbreaks, its devastating role in global pandemics, and its surprising influence on everyday language. We also examine the groundbreaking development of the measles vaccine and the modern resurgence of the disease due to vaccine hesitancy. Tune in to uncover the true history behind measles—a word with more baggage than just a rash and fever.

Sources:

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) – Measles History, Vaccination, and Current Trends
https://www.cdc.gov/measles/

World Health Organization (WHO) – Global Measles Surveillance & Vaccine Impact
https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/measles

History of Vaccines – The College of Physicians of Philadelphia
https://www.historyofvaccines.org/

Francis Home’s 1757 Study on Measles as an Infectious Disease – Medical and Historical Archives

The Lancet: Measles and Its Historical Impact on Global Populations
https://www.thelancet.com/

Rhazes (Abu Bakr al-Razi) – Early Medical Writings on Measles and Smallpox
Kitab al-Judari wa al-Hasbah (The Book of Smallpox and Measles)

John Enders & Peebles’ Isolation of the Measles Virus (1954) – Journal of Experimental Medicine

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