

Vocabulary Mnemonics
Matt & Dr. Mom
From legerdemain to scrupulousness, from tatterdemalion to kempt, we have the memory tools to help you remember GRE vocabulary, Latin and Greek phrases, medical terms and more -- forever.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Dec 27, 2025 • 21min
Episode 98: Beatific, avocation, prolix, and more
Discover the meaning of beatific, a word evoking higher happiness and beauty. Learn about reveille, the military wake-up call, and the mnemonics that can help you remember its significance. Dive into the playful origins of scaramouch, a cowardly buffoon. Unravel the essence of avocation as a hobby and how it contrasts with your main vocation. Explore prolix, a term for excessive wordiness, and the slippery nature of glib. Finally, examine mutable, a word denoting change, and disconcerting, which captures the feeling of losing one's composure.

Dec 20, 2025 • 22min
Episode 97: Best words from episodes 51-75

Dec 13, 2025 • 23min
Episode 96: Degust, titrate, epigone, and more
Explore the art of savoring flavors with the term 'degust' and the playful world of 'cloche,' bridging style and food with memorable mnemonics. Discover the intriguing notion of 'epigone' as a lesser imitator and how 'amalgamation' illustrates the beauty of blending ideas. Delve into emotional coolness with 'froid' and the societal depths of 'dregs.' Learn how 'parlous' captures danger, while 'rhetoric' enhances persuasive speech. Finally, master 'titrate' for fine adjustments, all vividly wrapped in engaging examples!

Dec 6, 2025 • 22min
Episode 95: Best words from episodes 26-50
Join Matt and Mom as they delve into intriguing vocabulary gems from previous sessions. Discover the meaning of 'caveat emptor' and how it connects to emptiness. Explore the contrast between 'hoi polloi' and 'hoity-toity.' Unravel the charming essence of a 'flâneur' and its relation to planning. Learn about 'gasconade' and picture Gaston boasting extravagantly. Understand 'denouement' as a story's conclusion, while 'zertz' brings humor with its dessert-guzzling notion. Wrap up with the cheerful 'bonhomie' and the kitschy world of tastelessness.

Nov 29, 2025 • 22min
Episode 94: meldrop, desiderata, ichthyology, and more
Join Matt and Mom as they explore quirky vocabulary with a playful twist! Discover the study of fishes—ichthyology—and delve into the realm of cavil, where trivial objections reign. Learn to efface the E from 'face' and trace the origins of cheeseparing from Shakespeare to thrift. Delight in the antics of meldrop, a mucus drop that smells, and ponder the essentials of desiderata. They even tie it all together with a fun recap. It's an entertaining journey through words and mnemonics!

Nov 22, 2025 • 18min
Episode 93: Best words from episodes 1-25
Dive into the world of intriguing vocabulary with a fun twist! Discover the sneaky side of 'surreptitious' through a thief mnemonic. Get energized with 'ebullient,' where enthusiasm bubbles over, and learn how to 'desiccate' memories with clever imagery. Explore courage with 'undaunted' and its unique meaning. Don't miss the playful insights on 'motif' and 'apposite,' and expand your lexicon with 'furtive' glances and 'alacrity' for readiness. Wrap it all up with a recap and a nod to the joy of words!

Nov 15, 2025 • 21min
Episode 92: Arcadian, apotheosis, sus, and more
In this lively discussion, listeners explore vocabulary words starting with 'A.' Discover the idyllic meaning of 'arcadian' and how it contrasts with arcades. Learn about 'expatriate,' delving into living abroad, and the humorous twist of 'absquatulate' for leaving abruptly. They tackle modern slang like 'sus' and 'suss' to spot the suspicious. Plus, definitions of 'antipenultimate' and 'scrupulosity' reveal quirky yet insightful meanings. Enjoy the playful mnemonics and a hilarious recap using all the words!

Nov 8, 2025 • 23min
Episode 91: Review game #3
Join a delightful discussion on intriguing words and their mnemonics! Learn about 'guardy loo,' an old warning cry, and the meaning behind 'pugilist,' a term for professional boxers. Discover the concept of 'peremptory' with its commanding connotation, and delve into 'simulacrum' in relation to our AI era. Unravel the mysteries of 'furcula,' linked to wishbones, and explore words like 'potboiler' and 'mirth' that describe shallow works and jolly laughter, respectively. Plus, ponder the intriguing idea of 'solipsism' and the anticipation of 'prescience.'

Nov 1, 2025 • 27min
Episode 90: Stentorian, Specter, Intaglio, and more
Discover the powerful meaning behind 'stentorian' and how it connects to Homeric lore. Learn about 'phallory' – tawdry finery – with a fun mnemonic and the deep roots of 'jeremiad' as a modern lament. Explore the differences between intaglio and cameo engraving, and unravel the concept of 'semi-quincentennial.' Delve into the meanings of 'bantam' and 'schwa.' Finally, encounter the haunting nature of 'specter' and the truth behind 'mendacity'. It's a vibrant journey through words!

Oct 25, 2025 • 25min


