Hope is a powerful, universal concept—so much so that it has been woven into our language for centuries. But where does the word actually come from? Has it always meant what we think it does? From Old English roots to its evolution into modern optimism, we’ll unravel the history of ‘hope,’ its surprising etymology, and the ways it has been wielded …

Have you ever walked out of a store feeling like you just made a deal with the devil? That moment when a price tag makes you question whether you really need both of your limbs? In this episode of Lexiconned, we dive into the origins of the phrase ‘cost an arm and a leg.’ From debunking myths about portrait painters to tracing its rise in post-Worl…

What do factory workers, sci-fi nightmares, and your Roomba all have in common? They all owe their existence to the word robot. In this episode of Lexiconned, we explore the origins of robot, from its creation in a Czech play to its modern implications in AI, automation, and ethics. Join TJ as he dissects how a simple word became one of the most fu…

What do medieval fire safety laws, teenage rebellion, and government lockdowns have in common? The word curfew! In this episode of Lexiconned, we trace the fiery origins of curfew back to its Old French roots (couvre-feu), explore how William the Conqueror used it to control England, and uncover how it evolved into a tool for social order (and teen…

Love—it’s a word that carries more baggage than a bad breakup. But where does it come from, and how did it become the catch-all term for everything from deep friendship to obsessive romance? In this special Valentine’s Day episode of Lexiconned, we dive into the origins of love, tracing it from Old English lufu to Shakespeare’s poetry and beyond. W…

Whiskey: The Water of Life and the Spirit of History" In this episode of Lexiconned, TJ pours into the rich, complex history of whiskey, the storied spirit that has warmed hearts and sparked debates for centuries. From its Gaelic roots as "uisce beatha"—the "water of life"—to its pivotal role in America’s Whiskey Rebellion, this episode explores wh…

"Spam: From Mystery Meat to Digital Junk" This week on Lexiconned, we’re diving into the meaty origins of a word that’s been clogging inboxes and fueling breakfast tables alike—spam. Where did it come from? Why did it stick? And how did a canned meat product go from wartime ration to internet annoyance? We’ll explore its humble beginnings, its unli…

Ever heard someone say it’s "raining cats and dogs" and imagined a furry storm? In this episode, we dive into the origins of this bizarre idiom. Is it rooted in Norse mythology, medieval sanitation, or just a wild misinterpretation? We’ll unravel the truth behind this phrase, debunk some persistent myths, and explore how language evolves in unexpec…

What exactly is a meme? In this episode of Lexiconned, we dive into the fascinating origin story of the word that dominates our internet culture. From its surprising beginnings as a concept in evolutionary biology, coined by Richard Dawkins in the 1970s, to its rapid evolution into a language of its own online, we uncover how "meme" transformed fro…

In this week’s episode of Lexiconned, we explore the surprisingly unkind history of a word we use every day: nice. Did you know that this seemingly harmless compliment started its life as a Latin insult ? From Chaucer's sly use of the word to its modern overuse, “nice” has had a rollercoaster journey through the centuries. Join me as we uncover how…

Welcome to the inaugural episode of Lexiconned! We’re diving into the muck—literally—with one of the most versatile and misunderstood words in the English language: “shit.” Where does "shit" come from? Join host TJ Martin as he debunks a popular myth and takes you on a journey through the fascinating history of the word. From its Old English roots …