

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 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
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!


