Bunny Trails: A Word History Podcast
Shauna Harrison, Dan Pugh
Welcome to our whimsical adventure of idioms and other turns of phrase. Each week, we delve into the origins of phrases to find out how they came into the English language. We tell the story of how the phrase got from its beginnings to where it is today. Shauna and Dan are two big nerds, so expect some geek culture references, random trivia facts, and loads of laughs!
Episodes
Mentioned books
May 23, 2018 • 23min
BTPEp10 Cat Got Your Tongue
This week Shauna and Dan jump into the awesome phrase, cat got your tongue. Is it Pirates? Witches? Breath stealing cats? Find out here! #BunnyTrails Links Join the Bunny Trails Community!
May 16, 2018 • 29min
BTPEp09: Curiousity Killed the Cat
What killed the cat? Curiousity or Care? Well... both! Join Shauna and Dan as they wind down the hole of curiosity and cats, which should make the internet gods happy. Plus, we totally talk about super awesome people like Galileo, Curie, and a 91 year old author who Dan just really enjoyed. #BunnyTrails Links Join the Bunny Trails Community!
May 9, 2018 • 32min
BTPEp08 My Two Cents
Shauna and Dan discuss the various possible origins of My Two Cents while also talking stories by Santa Claus. Dan stans the Library of Congress while Shauna tells jokes by the Beatles. Its nerdy fun on this episode of Bunny Trails! #BunnyTrails Links Join the Bunny Trails Community on Patreon!
May 2, 2018 • 29min
BTPEp07 Eyes In The Back Of The Head
Shauna and Dan talk about the mystical, all-seeing eye(s) in the back of someone's head. Shauna delves deep into the Third Eye, but to Dan's chagrin never once mentioned Third Eye Blind. Also, Dan tries to trademark Alvin and the Chipmunks, before being informed it doesn't work that way. #BunnyTrails Links Join the Bunny Trails Community at Patreon!
Apr 25, 2018 • 26min
BTPEp06 Call It A Day
This week Shauna and Dan give up and Call it A Day. Well, almost. They discover the origins of the word call, leading to the idiom that means things from big to small. They talk Davy Crockett, Mark Twain, and Howard Taft. Also how idioms can permeate even the strongest echo chambers like a semi-permeable membrane on a cell wall. Links Support Bunny Trails!
Apr 25, 2018 • 23min
BTPEp05 Raining Cats and Dogs
This week Shauna and Dan talk fact, myths, and legends surrounding Raining Cats and Dogs! Dan takes aim at flat-earthers while Shauna asserts that cats bring rain and dogs bring wind. Or maybe wolves. You'll learn how to pronounce Arkansas and El Dorado, plus discover why Kansans talk about the weather unironically.
Apr 25, 2018 • 26min
BTPEp04 Play It By Ear
This week Shauna and Dan discuss the phrase Play It By Ear. From it's roots as a metonymy to the improvisational skills of the Hardy Boys, this phrase goes lots of places. #BunnyTrails Links Support Bunny Trails!
Apr 25, 2018 • 23min
BTPEp03 Pushing Up Daisies
This week Shauna and Dan discuss the macabre. No, not the parrot-like bird. Also not the monkey. Death! We jump head-long into Pushing Up Daisies. Artwork by @MerynneArt Links Support Bunny Trails!
Apr 25, 2018 • 27min
BTPEp02 Rain Check
This week Shauna and Dan look at the history of Rain Check, from a St Louis baseball term to a American phenomenon. Along the way they get too close to the conspiracy in Charlie and The Chocolate Factory, talk about their own social awkwardness and anxiety, plus trace how the word check went from a persian word meaning King to the common word we use today! Links Support Bunny Trails!
Apr 25, 2018 • 26min
BTPEp01 Bunny Trails
This week Shauna and Dan talk about Bunny Trails. Dan gets lost as Shauna goes all smarty pants. Shauna talks Alice In Wonderland and the Matrix, while Dan goes Monty Python and classic rock. Join the fun as they explore the wonderful phrase: Bunny Trails! Links Support Bunny Trails!
