

When 'nice' was bad and 'bully' was good. Is 'preorder' redundant? High-intensity transformer.
Oct 3, 2023
Explore the surprising origins and changes in meaning of words like 'bully' and 'nice'. Learn about the illogical but helpful practice of preordering books. Discover the current usage of words like 'berserker' and 'amok'. Find out how preorders impact bookstores and bestseller lists. Hear a familect story about adopting a phrase from a live news control room.
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
1 2 3 4 5
Introduction
00:00 • 3min
Evolution of Word Meanings
02:35 • 8min
Shift in Meaning of 'Berserker' and 'Amok', Malay Borrowed Words, and Advertisements for Rosetta Stone and Bombus
10:27 • 3min
Bombus Socks and the Importance of Pre-Ordering Books
13:14 • 4min
Expressing Feelings in the Control Room
16:55 • 4min