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
Rerun of Ep 4 Bengali Bounty plus Guest Music
Rerun on Episode Four Bengali Bounty plus "guest music" - the song City Girl with Amy Correia and Kimon Kirk.
08/05/25•41m 37s
Rerun of Ep 3 German Gems plus Words on the Brink music
Rerun of Episode Three German Gems plus Words on the Brink song "Rock Tree River" with Amy Correia and Kimon Kirk.
01/05/25•40m 40s
Rerun of Ep 2 Japanese Jewels plus Words on Trial Music
Rerun of Episode Two Japanese Jewels plus Words On Trial song "You Go Your Way" with Amy Correia and Kimon Kirk.
24/04/25•39m 40s
Rerun of Ep 1 - Dutch Delights Plus Italian Swears
Rerun of episode one Dutch Delights. Bonus: Italian actress Laura James shares how to swear in Italian.
17/04/25•39m 40s
Ep. 29 The Scarpetta Episode
The final episode of season one. Maggie and Emily scoop up the last bits of interviews (like a scarpetta – a piece of bread used to mop up last bits of sauce) and review their favorite word specimens found on their expedition
10/04/25•35m 55s
Ep 28 Scottish Ken: Haar and Coorie
Maggie and Emily learn the Scottish words haar and coorie from Scotland native Lynsay Mackay. They discuss with Steve O'Donnell a word he has coined: Arbeitstraumschreck. Word in Action "hurkle durkle" with Eric Giancoli and poem by Maggie: Hurkle Durkle; For Those Who Stay in Bed.
03/04/25•31m 16s
Ep 27 Fifty Shades of Snow: The Pain Episode
Maggie and Emily talk with author Leigh Cowart about the terms nociception and hyperalgesia. They discuss embarrassing sounds with actress Naomi Grossman and learn the term vinted coined by Bonnie Harvey and Michael Houlihan. Poem by Emily: Oi Void.
29/03/25•31m 48s
Ep 26 Poker Poise: On Tilt and Pot Committed
Maggie and Emily learn the poker terms “pot committed” and “on tilt” from TV writer producer poker champion Matt Salsberg. They talk with philosopher Pete Rollins about freedom from the pursuit of happiness. Poem by Maggie: On Tilt.
20/03/25•28m 41s
Ep 25 Japanese Jewels Part 2: Ikigai and Okagesama
Maggie and Emily learn the Japanese words ikigai and okagesama from native speakers Masami Covey and Yujiro Seki. Word in action “apisoir” with Eric Giancoli and poem by Emily: Ikigai.
13/03/25•31m 45s
Ep 24 Bird Brilliance: Zugunruhe and Murmuration
Maggie and Emily learn about murmurations and zugunruhe from Ballona Wetlands tour guide Susan Levinson. Isi the Scribe discuss (and shares a poem) about animal collective nouns. Poem by Maggie: Zugunruhe.
06/03/25•31m 42s
Ep 23: Wine Wisdom: Terroir and Noble Rot (Botrytis)
Maggie and Emily learn the words from “terroir” and “noble rot” from wine educator Nora Murphy. They discover “apisoir” with Michael Alberty and “aha-mnesty” with C. Brian Smith. Poem by Emily: Terroir.
27/02/25•29m 47s
Ep. 22 Buddhist Blessings: Dukkha and Mudita
Maggie and Emily discuss the Buddhist words dukkha and mudita with Zen priest Senshin and put the word “karma” on trial with judge Matthew Laura Aitken. Poem by Maggie: Not To My Liking.
20/02/25•31m 0s
Ep 21: Valentines: Love Around The World
Maggie and Emily talk to guests from around the world about love and learn how people say “I love you” across the globe. Poem by Emily: galaxies.
13/02/25•29m 24s
Ep 20 Armenian Ardor: Mousmous and Qti Maz
Maggie and Emily learn the Armenian words qti maz and mousmous from Gagik Hakobyan and John Ekezian. They discuss the term brickianity with Rob Bell and see the word kalsarikänni in action with Eric Giancoli. Poem by Maggie: Tapping Out.
06/02/25•27m 57s
Ep 19 Math and Music: Isophene, Asymptote, and Mondegreen
Maggie and Emily discuss the words isophene and asymptote with fiction writer Susan Sechrist and learn the musical term mondegreen from jazz singer Sarah Spiegel. Poem by Emily: Isophene.
30/01/25•29m 7s
Ep 18: Hebrew Heart: Asir Toda and Nefesh
Maggie and Emily learn Hebrew words asir toda and nefesh from native speaker Leila Eden. Reporter at large Peter Baynham reports on the Finnish word kalsarikännit and Susie McDonnell shares “embarrask.” Poem by Maggie: Asir Toda (Gratitude Prisoner)
23/01/25•30m 40s
Ep. 17 Pashto Pearls Part Two: Gharzai and Sabar
Maggie and Emily discuss the Pashto words gharzai and sabar with native speaker Sanjar Qiam from Afghanistan and learn the word "contemplocean" from the author of The Cosmic Dictionary, Norm Millstein. Poem by Emily: Gharzai.
14/01/25•31m 52s
Ep 16: Pashto Pearls: Khomar and Melamastia
Maggie and Emily learn the words khomar and melamastia from native speaker Sanjar Qiam. They speak with Italian actress Laura James about the Italian word pantofoliao and observe the French word flaneur in action with Jim Vallely. Poem by Maggie: It Happens Sometimes.
03/01/25•32m 19s
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
