Sinopsis
A whimsical adventure of idioms and other turns of phrase. Each week, writers Shauna Harrison and Dan Pugh explore the origins and stories behind phrases found in the English language. Along the way, they laugh, geek out, and generally have a good time. Great for anyone likes to have fun with words. Remember, words belong to their users!
Episodios
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265 Stick to Your Ribs
05/02/2025 Duración: 32minThis week Shauna and Dan explore the phrase, Stick to Your Ribs. Bonus: Visits from series regulars John Ray, Edmund Burke, and Louise Pound, plus our favorite stick to your ribs books. Also, mac-daddi-roni! Copyright 2025 All Rights Reserved
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264 Jump Through Hoops
29/01/2025 Duración: 29minThis week Shauna and Dan try to track down the figurative use of Jump Through Hoops, since people have literally been jumping through hoops since hoops were invented. Bonus: Shauna's hoops, bill paying in the 90s, and how your hosts brains work Copyright 2025 All Rights Reserved
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263 Canary in a Coal Mine
22/01/2025 Duración: 33minThis week Shauna and Dan find out why there were canaries in coal mines, giving us this common phrase. Bonus: Anthropomorphic birds, the black lung, and that time in the late 80s when we solved a climate crisis through international cooperation Copyright 2025 All Rights Reserved
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262 The Lions Share
15/01/2025 Duración: 28minThis week Shauna and Dan take The Lion's Share. Apparently, this concept has been around since before English. (Shauna says Aesop didn't speak English. Citation Needed.) Bonus: Cheese mongers, pumpkin pies, and Walter with a banana joke Copyright 2025 All Rights Reserved
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261 Cut the Mustard
08/01/2025 Duración: 31minThis week Shauna and Dan look into the phrase "Cut the Mustard". Does this originate with the yellow mustard stuff, or perhaps from a mishearing of a military term? Bonus: Old political parties, bad internet habits, and a silly commercial from the 1980s Copyright 2025 All Rights Reserved
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260 New Lease on Life
01/01/2025 Duración: 29minThis week Shauna and Dan get a new lease on life. Well, they look into the phrase, anyway. Bonus: Rhyming poems, sad commercials, and a hoarders dream come true! Copyright 2025 All Rights Reserved
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259 Words Christmas Gave Us with Grace Tierney
18/12/2024 Duración: 31minThis week Shauna and Dan are joined by 'Words Christmas Gave Us' author Grace Tierney to talk about Christmas, Boxing Day (St. Stephens Day if you are in Ireland - Do NOT make that mistake), and fun holiday traditions. Happy holidays from all of us at Bunny Trails! Copyright 2024 All Rights Reserved
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258 Christmas Spirit
11/12/2024 Duración: 30minIt's that time of year! Shauna and Dan deep dive into the holiday phrase, Christmas Spirit. The feeling, not the ghosts. Bonus: Curmudgeonly old men, spirits pitching the Christmas spirit, and the great bagel vs donut debate. Copyright 2024 All Rights Reserved
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257 Third Time's the Charm
04/12/2024 Duración: 31minThis week Shauna and Dan explore the phrase, "Third Time's the Charm". Dan finally connects the dots on some similar phrases, too. Bonus: Existential dread, sandwich annihilation, and quilt-making in a weekend. Copyright 2024 All Rights Reserved
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256 Riding the Gravy Train
27/11/2024 Duración: 31minThis week Shauna and Dan call all aboard on the Gravy Train. Bonus: Dubious origins, bad maths, Pink Floyd, and poutine. Copyright 2024 All Rights Reserved
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255 Light Years Ahead
20/11/2024 Duración: 29minThis week Shauna and Dan explore the phrase Light Years Ahead. Bonus: Science terms, surprise parties, and how to live your best life - through organizational development. Probably. Copyright 2024 All Rights Reserved
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254 Hindsight is 2020
13/11/2024 Duración: 31minThis week Shauna and Dan look back into the past to discover the origins of the phrase, Hindsight is 20/20. Bonus: Snellen Charts, Astronauts, and the Red Green Nation Copyright 2024 All Rights Reserved
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253 Clear the Air
06/11/2024 Duración: 31minThis week Shauna and Dan look into the phrase, 'Clear the Air' in both its literal and figurative forms. Bonus: Winds of truth, Dan's brilliance, and the little lies we tell Copyright 2024 All Rights Reserved
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252 Skeleton in the Closet
30/10/2024 Duración: 34minThis week Shauna and Dan explore the Skeleton in the Closet, sometimes known as the Skeleton in the Cupboard. Bonus: Gravestone battles, Jazz music, and literal skeletons in cupboards. Copyright 2024 All Rights Reserved
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251 All Roads Lead to Rome
23/10/2024 Duración: 29minThis week Shauna and Dan explore why all roads lead to Rome. Bonus: 80s music, abstract art, and miles to McDonalds. Copyright 2024 All Rights Reserved
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Mini Ep On Thin Ice
16/10/2024 Duración: 05minIn a mini episode this week, Shauna and Dan discuss the word "ice" and briefly look at two icy idioms; On Thin Ice and Break the Ice. Copyright 2024 by The Readiness Corner, LLC - All Rights Reserved
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RETRO 146 Grandfather Clock
09/10/2024 Duración: 32minA lean, tall clock stops the moment its owner dies. Is it an episode of The Twilight Zone or the catalyst for the term "Grandfather Clock?" Bonus - The talent of Sam Lucas, plus Knickerbockers! Outro Song: My Grandfathers Clock by H.C. Work, Arranged and performed by Michael Pugh, Shauna Harrison, Dan Pugh. Originally Aired February 23, 2022 Copyright 2024 by The Readiness Corner, LLC - All Rights Reserved
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250 Cut of His Jib
02/10/2024 Duración: 33minThis week Shauna and Dan explore the phrase, "Cut of His Jib". We also find out what in the heck a 'jib' is! Bonus: Jack Tar, Abstract Diptychs, and Singing in the Shower Copyright 2024 All Rights Reserved
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249 Gift of Gab
25/09/2024 Duración: 31minThis week Shauna and Dan explore the gift of gab. Or sometimes, gob. Bonus: Fur babies, blarney stones, pet voices, and art appreciation Copyright 2024 All Rights Reserved
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248 When in Rome
18/09/2024 Duración: 32minThis week Shauna and Dan delve into the phrase "When in Rome, do as the Romans do." Bonus: Dan pines for a Sister Act 3, Shauna steals coins from fountains, and Catholic Saints talk about when they should fast Copyright 2024 All Rights Reserved