

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

Jun 19, 2024 • 36min
RETRO 135 Cool as a Cucumber
RETRO: Shauna and Dan take a cool drink of gourd water this week as they explore the phrase Cool as a Cucumber. We learn Dan abhors cucumbers unless they've been drowned in vinegar and he dislikes some of the previous words for cucumbers. It seems some old-timey folks disliked them, too. Bonus discussion: is cereal a soup? Copyright 2024 by The Readiness Corner, LLC - All Rights Reserved

Jun 12, 2024 • 32min
239 Horseshoes and Hand Grenades
This week Shauna and Dan look at the phrase, "Close only counts in horseshoes and hand grenades", which is way more modern than Dan thought. Also, Shauna points out Clydesdale horses bring their own Ugg boots to the party, while Dan notes that trebuchets are the superior siege engines. Bonus: Shippy Shippers and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles for the color vision deficient crowd (mostly Dan). And did you know the United Kingdom once listed horseshoes as an "uncivilized game"? Copyright 2024 All Rights Reserved

Jun 5, 2024 • 28min
238 Soup to Nuts
This week Shauna and Dan dive into the phrase "Soup to Nuts". Bonus: The Irish phrase "To take the soup", the Three Stooges, and gloves versus mittens. Copyright 2024 All Rights Reserved

May 29, 2024 • 32min
237 Tickled Pink
This week Shauna and Dan explore the phrase "Tickled Pink". Bonus: Tickled to Death, Pinkalicious, and Secretly loving hated books Copyright 2024 All Rights Reserved

May 22, 2024 • 31min
236 Armchair Quarterback
This week Shauna and Dan yell at the TV like good armchair quarterbacks should. You might think this phrase started with American Football, but if you thought that you'd be wrong. Bonus: Travellers, Critics, Strategists, and Generals Copyright 2024 All Rights Reserved

May 15, 2024 • 31min
235 All Hell Breaks Loose
This week Shauna and Dan explore what happens when all hell breaks loose. Bonus: Sharks, Commutes, and Paradise Lost. Copyright 2024 All Rights Reserved

May 8, 2024 • 32min
234 Saved by the Bell
This week Shauna and Dan look into the origins of Saved by the Bell. Spoiler alert: It does NOT come from taphophobia, or the fear of being buried alive. That is a particularly persistent myth with no evidence to support it. Bonus: Dan crushes on Kelly, Lisa, and Jessie. Plus, SPORTS! Copyright 2024 All Rights Reserved

May 1, 2024 • 31min
233 Cradle to the Grave
This week Shauna and Dan delve into the phrase, Cradle to the Grave. Dan prefers the contemporary term, Womb to the Tomb, but we know he has a simple mind and likes rhyming things. Bonus: Shauna enjoys metal music, plus your hosts discuss awesome names. Copyright 2024 All Rights Reserved

Apr 24, 2024 • 29min
232 If I Had a Nickel
If Shauna and Dan had a nickel for every episode of Bunny Trails they released, they'd have $11.60, which isn't alot, but it's not nothing. Bonus: Rich women of the Barony of Glenard, Mark Twain, and Memes. Copyright 2024 All Rights Reserved

Apr 17, 2024 • 31min
231 Law of the Jungle / It's a Jungle Out There
This week Shauna and Dan delve into two similar phrases, Law of the Jungle and It's a Jungle Out There. And yes, we talk about Kipling and Disney again. Bonus: Dan becomes an art critic. Shauna fails to choose a fruit. Remember to drink respectfully. Copyright 2024 All Rights Reserved


