Fifty Words For Snow
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.
Episodes
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.
19/12/24•32m 48s
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.
12/12/24•36m 59s
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.
05/12/24•28m 22s
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.
28/11/24•29m 36s
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.
21/11/24•29m 34s
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.
14/11/24•33m 17s
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.
07/11/24•31m 51s
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.
31/10/24•29m 12s
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.
24/10/24•31m 41s
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.”
17/10/24•35m 35s
Ep. 5 Hindi Horizons: Jugaad and Jigivisha
Maggie and Emily talk to native Hindi speaker Shashi Bandhu and learn the words jigivisha and jugaad. They coin the word “snoob” and rescue “scurrifunge” from the brink of extinction. Poem “Necessity Labors” by Maggie.
10/10/24•35m 30s
Ep. 4 Bengali Bounty: Aram and Jhapang Jhapang
Maggie and Emily explore the Bengali words aram and jhapang jhapang with native speaker Safeera Ahmed. They put the word “canoodle” on trial with judge Jim Vallely, coin the word “rain-newel” and explore the concept of a soul wink from hotline caller Tammy Slofterson. Poem by Emily: Aram.
03/10/24•33m 25s
Ep. 3 German Gems: Waldensemkeit, Torschlusspanik, and Kaputreparium
Maggie and Emily explore the German words torschlusspanik, waldensemkeit, and kaputreparium with linguist Charley Rowe and native German speaker Merle Emrich. They put the word “mine” on trial with judge Jim Vallely and coin the word “torschlusspresence.” Poem by Maggie “Nothing at All.”
26/09/24•37m 36s
Ep. 2 Japanese Jewels: Wabi Sabi and Shoshin
Maggie and Emily explore the Japanese words wabi sabi and shoshin with native Japanese speaker Taka Tora in Tokyo. They put the word “should” or trial with judge Matt Vern and coin the words “winblunder” and “loomingloss.” Poem by Emily “A Japanese View of Love.”
19/09/24•36m 17s
Ep. 1 Dutch Delights: Gezellig and Niksen
Maggie and Emily explore the Dutch words gezellig and niksen with Dutch native speaker Natanel Bohmer. They put the word “lazy” on trial with judge Matt Vern, coin the word “sacred flakery,” and learn how long it takes it the average human being Jim Vallely to eat a banana. Poem by Maggie: Pilgrim! Stop your Progress!
05/09/24•35m 20s
