The History of English Podcast Episode 187: Islands and Sea
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Dec 31, 2025 Discover the fascinating impact of seafaring on the English language in the early 1600s. Explore the emergence of new vocabulary from the Caribbean and early settlers, including intriguing words like 'swamp' and 'powwow.' Delve into the influence of John Donne's poetry and the maritime terms derived from Dutch. Learn how nautical metaphors shaped English imagery, alongside the political turmoil of Charles I's reign, including conflicts with Parliament and attempts at colonization. It's a rich tapestry of history and language!
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Donne's Lasting Metaphysical Voice
- John Donne's conversational metaphysical poetry broke from Elizabethan ornamentation and influenced later literature.
- His lines like "No man is an island" entered English as enduring proverbs and cultural touchstones.
Ships Carried English And Its Terms
- English expansion overseas traveled by ship, so nautical vocabulary naturally infused global English.
- Many maritime words entered English as sailors and settlers spread the language worldwide.
Dutch Roots Of English Nautical Terms
- Long Dutch-English maritime contact supplied many nautical loanwords like skipper, deck, and yacht.
- Continued borrowing in the 1500s–1600s shaped core seafaring vocabulary in English.
