The History of English Podcast

The legend of Robin Hood has its origins in the murky history of England after the Norman Conquest, but the first written examples of Robin Hood ballads don’t appear until the mid-1400s. In this episode, we examine the earliest references to the legend, and we explore the oldest surviving ballads that tell the story of the legendary outlaw. We also look at evidence of the Great Vowel Shift in these early ballads. TRANSCRIPT: EPISODE 136

Explore the origins and evolution of words and phrases like 'turnpike,' 'to curry favor,' 'budget,' 'average,' 'peculiar,' and 'hogwash' in this bonus stay at home episode of the History of English Podcast.

This podcast explores the history of playing cards and their connection to the printing press. It discusses the origins of playing cards and printing in China, Egypt, and Europe. It also covers the development of the English deck of cards, Henry V's victories, the treaty between England and France, and the impact of Joan of Arc. The podcast delves into the evolution of block printing and the invention of moveable type.

Explore the rise of the House of Lancaster and its impact on the English language. Learn about John of Gaunt's monologue praising England, the history leading to the rise of the Lancaster family dynasty, and Henry the Navigator's exploration of new territories. Discover John of Gaunt's involvement in arranging a marriage and the political situation in England. Discuss the events leading up to the Battle of Agincourt and the evolution of the adverbial suffix in English.

Explore mealtime in the Middle Ages and the role of bread. Discover the origins of food-related terms in English. Learn about the evolution of meal times and meal names. Delve into the origins of dining practices and furniture. Uncover the rules of table manners during the rise of chivalry. Examine the origins of the phrase 'upper crust'. Dive into the versatility of bread in medieval times.

Exploring the origins of culinary terminology and food-related terms in medieval England, including the first English cookbook known as 'The Forme of Cury.' It also examines the opulent court of King Richard II, the evolution of words like 'mince,' 'sauce,' 'gravy,' and 'salad,' and the presence of Mediterranean-inspired recipes in a 1300s English cookbook.

This podcast explores the language and story of the popular Middle Ages poem Sir Gawain and the Green Knight. It discusses the revival of English as an accepted language in the late 1300s, the rise of English literature, the festivities at King Arthur's Court, the entrance of a mysterious figure, the introduction of the Green Knight, the evolution of the word 'blush' in Old English poetry, and Gawain's encounter with the Green Knight orchestrated by Morgan Lefay.

Exploring the regional dialects used by Geoffrey Chaucer in English literature, the contrast between southern and northern English speech, the origins of phrases like 'through thick and thin', pronunciation differences in Old and Middle English, and the use of regional dialects in medieval literature.

Explore the evolution of vulgar language, the influence of French poets, and the origins of taboo words in medieval literature. Delve into the connections between fireplaces and obscenity, the evolution of the word 'quaint', and the controversial nature of Chaucer's Canterbury Tales.

Allan Metcalf, author of 'The Life of Guy: Guy Fawkes, the Gunpowder Plot, and the Unlikely History of an Indispensable Word', discusses the origins and history of the word 'guy', its association with Guy Fawkes and the Gunpowder Plot, the celebration of Guy Fawkes Day, and the evolution of the term 'guy' from a negative character to a generic term for any male. The episode also touches on the decline of 'y'all' in American English and the emergence of 'you guys' as a commonly used term.