Fifty Words For Snow
Fifty Words For Snow
Maggie Rowe and Emily Garces
A linguistic expedition into brave new words. Maggie Rowe and Emily John Garcés hunt for words that lack an English equivalent. They like to think of themselves as Dora the Explorers of language, with their rucksacks and hats and notebooks and magnifying glasses, embarking on a cultural adventure, hunting and gathering useful new word specimens from far flung continents, and holding them up to see what new light they shine on old ideas.
Ep 15: French Finds: Dépaysement and Flaneur
Maggie and Emily speak with Chris Reuland about the French words flaneur and dépaysement and learn a very particular use of the word “scripted” from John Ekezian. Poem by Emily: Dépaysement.
Dec 19, 2024
32 min
Ep 14 Croatian Chronos: Pomalo and Fjaka
Maggie and Emily learn the words pomalo and fjaka from native Croatian speaker Saskia Neal. They discover the word hustletivity with Bonnie Harvey and Michael Houlihan. Poem by Maggie: It is Time.
Dec 12, 2024
36 min
Ep 13 Swedish Soul: Slutspurt and Lagom
Maggie and Emily talk to Majken Nillson about the Swedish words slutspurt and lagom. They explore a "Word in Action" with Nerys Miller-Baynham and the word "woolfthdt." Poem by Emily: Lagom.
Dec 5, 2024
28 min
Ep 12 Italian Inspirations: Scarpetta and Spaghettata
Maggie and Emily discuss the words scarpetta and spaghettata with Italian guest Sofia Milos. They coin the term "highlight huddle" with C. Brian Smith and discuss gossip with Jim Vallely. Poem by Maggie: Scarpetta.
Nov 28, 2024
29 min
Ep. 11 Farsi Finds: Taarof and Khaste Nabashid
Maggie and Emily learn the Farsi words taarof and khaste nabashid with native speaker Navid Naderi Alizadeh and put the term “happy birthday” on trial. Poem by Emily: Taarof.
Nov 21, 2024
29 min
Ep. 10 Ancient Greek Anchors: Eunomia and Eudomonia
Maggie and Emily learn the ancient Greek words eunomia and eudomonia with scholar and theologian Peter Rollins. They coin the word "tempfatum." Poem by Maggie: Eunomia in the Aftermath.
Nov 14, 2024
33 min
Ep 9 Hawaiian Harmony: Pono and Ha’aha’a
Maggie and Emily learn the Hawaiian words pono and ha’aha’a from native speaker Luana Kawaa. They coin the word "pommies" with Vern M and put a usage of "cringe" on trial with Judge Matt Aitken. Poem by Emily: Getting Low.
Nov 7, 2024
31 min
Ep 8: Yiddish Yums: Machatunim and Kvell
Maggie and Emily learn the Yiddish words machatunim and kvell with guest Annie Korzen. They coin the word “yuck yum” with Nerys Miller-Baynham and “flink” with Tammy Schlofterson. Poem by Maggie: They Kvell.
Oct 31, 2024
29 min
Ep. 7 Spanish Specials: Estrenar and the Diminutive
Maggie and Emily discuss the Spanish diminutive and the word estrenar. They put the word sweet (usage of “compliant woman”) on trial with judge Matt Aitken and coin the word conker. Poem by Maggie: To Be Dear.
Oct 24, 2024
31 min
Ep 6 Chinese Charms: Guimi 闺蜜 and Houpa 后怕
Maggie and Emily learn the Chinese words guimi 诡秘  and houpa 后怕 from native speaker Sheng Zhong. They coin the word “schaudenfriend” with Eric Giancoli and put the word “bromance” on trial with judge Matt Aiken. Poem by Emily: “Houpa: A Poem About PTSD.”
Oct 17, 2024
35 min
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