

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

Oct 25, 2025 • 25min
Episode 89: Portentous, Esprit de Corps, Acquisitive, and more

Oct 18, 2025 • 28min
Episode 88: Redoubt, backronym, atavistic, and more…
Discover the intriguing meanings behind words like redoubt, a temporary fortification linked to doubt. Explore hapless as a term for the unlucky and delve into atavism, the concept of reverting to an earlier type. Learn about bacronyms, where acronyms are formed backwards, and the distinction between acronyms and initialisms. Enjoy playful definitions like cosset for pampering and codswallop for nonsense. Unravel the power of esemplastic imagination and find out how aspersion relates to casting false allegations!

Oct 11, 2025 • 24min
Episode 87: Brio, Shambolic, Errantry, and more
Explore the lively meanings of words like brio, where vivacity meets a tasty brioche mnemonic. Delve into the historical quirk of guardy-loo, an Edinburgh warning cry. Discover the distinction between proscribe and prescribe, and the playful contrast of phoneme versus morpheme. Wander with errantry's chivalrous adventures and navigate the chaos of shambolic disarray. Plus, uncover the secrecy of hugger-mugger with a memorable mental image. A delightful take on vocabulary awaits!

Oct 4, 2025 • 26min
Episode 86: Pons asinorum, Solipsism, Turpitude, and more
Explore fascinating vocabulary with memorable mnemonics! Discover the concept of pons asinorum, a test of understanding, and learn about the moral implications of turpitude. Delve into solipsism, the philosophical notion of extreme self-focus. Plus, catch insights on the term imperious and how it reflects commanding behavior. Rounding it out with playful definitions like fartlek for interval running adds humor to the mix. It's a whirlwind of words that makes learning fun!

Sep 27, 2025 • 27min
Episode 85: Maw, triptych, obelus, and more…
This episode dives into quirky vocabulary gems like 'potboiler,' revealing its dual meaning and mnemonic tricks. Discover the intriguing concept of 'abscotulator' and how it connects to sneaky absconders. Learn about 'marginalia'—the art of scribbling notes in book margins—and the division symbol 'obelus,' with fun visual cues. 'Maw' evokes images of hungry jaws, while 'triptych' transforms into a memorable travel tale. There's also a playful twist on 'to go pear-shaped' and a taste of 'salacious' that adds spice!

Sep 20, 2025 • 22min
Episode 84: Bathetic, Veblen Good, Furcula, and more
Get ready to enhance your vocabulary with playful definitions and quirky mnemonics! Explore intriguing concepts like Veblen goods, where status drives demand, and the journey of a raconteur spinning tales. Discover lively nouns such as furcula, a unique forked wishbone, alongside bathetic sentiments and hullabaloo chaos. The hosts wrap it all up with clever examples and a hilarious narrative that weaves it all together, inspiring you to use these new words in your daily life!

Sep 13, 2025 • 26min
Episode 83: Vermilion, mirth, expostulate, and more
Discover the vivid history of vermilion, a rich reddish-orange pigment. Learn about dogma with a fun toddler mnemonic to make it stick. Dive into afflatus, a divine inspiration that can strike at any moment. Unpack the concept of recrudescence, which describes unwelcome returns after a pause. Meet pugilists, the professional boxers, and find out what it means to curate as a verb. Explore mirth, the joy of laughter, and the consequences of being dissolute. Finally, get tips on brevity in communication!

Sep 6, 2025 • 29min
Episode 82: insipient, zhuzh, simulacrum, and more
Dive into the quirky world of words with discussions on the term 'tetchy' and its Shakespearean ties, alongside the cultural baggage of 'crone.' Uncover the magic of onomatopoeia as words like 'incipient' and 'zhuzh' spring to life with memorable mnemonics. The intrigue doesn't stop there; explore hydroponics, a cutting-edge agricultural method, and how it relates to futuristic language concepts. Each segment is packed with entertaining narratives to enhance your vocabulary journey!

Aug 30, 2025 • 26min
Episode 81: Review game #2
Engage in a playful vocabulary game where hosts challenge each other on previously learned words. They explore the humor and complexities of language, from the emotional weight of terms like 'contempt' to the workplace implications of the Peter Principle. The discussion also dives into the nuances of deception with words like 'specious,' and historical insights into fratricide. Additionally, they tackle Parkinson's Law and share personal tales about how tasks expand with time, all while emphasizing strategies to conquer procrastination and enhance vocabulary.

Aug 23, 2025 • 23min
Episode 80: Lagniappe, inimical, unctuous, and more
Explore the fascinating concept of 'lanyap,' a delightful New Orleans tradition that inspires engaging podcast strategies. Discover the cultural roots of words like 'rubric' and 'tumid,' and learn memorable mnemonics to expand your vocabulary. The hosts playfully unpack intriguing terms such as 'solarium' and 'inimical,' bringing them to life with relatable examples. Enjoy a humorous take on 'unctuous' and its layered meanings, including connections to public figures, all while enhancing your word skills with creativity and fun!


