I Hate Talking
A podcast about talking, including etymology, frustrating topics, current events, and other random subjects.
Want to contact the hosts or have a suggestion for a future episode? Email us at ihatetalkingpodcast@gmail.com.
Special thanks to Tim Wright aka CoLD SToRAGE for his permission to use the song Operatique.
Episodes
90 episodes
All the Variations, Shades, and Definitions of Blue
Overview:An unexpectedly multifaceted English word examined through color, emotion, temperature, and cultural usage—plus comparisons to Russian and historical linguistics.Why it came up:The hosts had r...
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Season 2025
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Episode 80
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16:10
Is Timidity Even a Word?
Word of the Episode: TimidityDefinition (Oxford): Lack of courage or confidence.Usage: More common historically (esp. 1800s), in decline until a slight uptick since 2019—possibly linked to its appearance in modern Bib...
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Season 2025
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Episode 79
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28:29
Polemics on Morals, Morale, and Worldviews
Word of the Episode: PolemicalDefinition (Oxford): Expressing or constituting a strong critical attack or controversial opinion.Etymology: From Greek polemos (“war”) → polemikós (“warlike/hostile...
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Season 2025
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Episode 78
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31:38
Morals Versus Morale
Words of the Episode: Morals vs. MoraleMoralsDefinition: Standards of behavior or principles of right/wrong by which a person lives; also lessons drawn from stories.Etymology: From Latin mos/moris...
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Season 2025
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Episode 77
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22:03
Interstellar Objects: 'Oumuamua, 3I-ATLAS, and more
Links to materials mentioned in the episode:Link to book by Avi Loeb: Extraterrestrial: The First Sign of Intelligent Life Beyond ...
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Season 2025
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Episode 76
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28:52
Pareto Principle, the 80/20 Rule, and More Jumbotron Antics
Episode MilestoneHosts note that Episode 75 feels like a meaningful number (cool, but not as significant as 60 was for them). Next true milestone will be Episode 100, expected in ~25 weeks.Word of the Episode:...
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Season 2025
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Episode 75
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26:55
Pontification of Deadlines and Urgency
Word of the Episode: PontificateHosts’ Initial Guess:They believed it meant to think deeply to arrive at a decision.They even associated it with careful contemplation and resolution.
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Season 2025
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Episode 74
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34:35
Libfixes, Diving Boards, and Generosity
Word of the Episode: LibfixDefinition: A “libfix” is a liberated suffix—when part of a word (often mistaken as a suffix) gets reanalyzed and reused as a suffix for other words.Examples:-gate (from W...
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Season 2025
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Episode 73
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17:51
Self-Care versus Self-Indulgence
Word of the Episode: PenitentUsage: Came up while studying Psalm 6 (one of the “penitential psalms”).Common Associations:Hosts thought it related to humility, kneeling, or seeking forgiveness.One reca...
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Season 2025
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Episode 72
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29:53
Our One-Day Whirlwind Trip To Chicago - Part 2
This episode is Part 1 of the Chicago recap. Find Part 1 in episode 70 last week.Word of the Episode: Porta PottyDefinition: A portable, temporary toilet facility.Etymology:“Porta Potty” comes from ...
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Season 2025
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Episode 71
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29:04
Our One-Day Whirlwind Trip To Chicago - Part 1
This episode is part 1 of the Chicago recap; it will continue in the next episode, including the promised description of the "Taj Mahal of porta potties" and covering the remaining tourist adventures.Word of the Episode: Flabbergas...
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Season 2025
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Episode 70
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26:03
Oldies, Remakes, and Spin-Offs
Theme & Word of the Episode:The episode focuses on the word "oldie," exploring its definition, history, and how its meaning has shifted over time, especially in the context of music.Origin and Evolution:
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Season 2025
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Episode 69
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30:34
Bonus Onomatopeia Behind the Scenes
Special behind the scenes bonus episode:The hosts discuss how to represent a rewind sound (onomatopoeia). They debate whether to cut out a portion of the recording or continue, and ultimately decide to keep the candid m...
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Season 2025
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Episode 68
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0:30
Onomatopeia and the Sounds of Coldplay
The hosts continue their discussion on the word "onomatopoeia," elaborating on its definition (words that imitate sounds, like "splash" or "ping") and etymology (from Greek meaning "name making"), and exploring examples of onomatopoeia, e...
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Season 2025
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Episode 68
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39:55
Bloops, Bloopers, and Trees
The Word of the Episode: "Bloop""Bloop" Origins and Mysteries: The episode opens with a discussion about the word "bloop," notable in the hosts' family for its mysterious oceanic association. The "bloop" refers to an ultra-low...
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Season 2025
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Episode 67
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33:10
Roshambo (alternatively known as Rock Paper Scissors)
Episode 66 of "I Hate Talking" shifts to a more lighthearted tone after two serious episodes, focusing on the word "Rochambeau," which is another name for the game rock-paper-scissors. The hosts discuss the debated origins of the term. On...
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Season 2025
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Episode 66
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16:00
Parallel Play - Part 2
Episode 65 of "I Hate Talking" centers on the word "cogitate" and continues the discussion about parallel play.The hosts introduce and explore the word "cogitate," which means to think deeply about something, tracing its Latin...
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Season 2025
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Episode 65
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28:54
Parallel Play - Part 1
The hosts discuss the concept of "parallel play," ultimately choosing it over other potential topics like "predictive programming" or "apse" for this episode.Definition and Origins:Parallel play originally desc...
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Season 2025
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Episode 64
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31:20
Pareidolia (Seeing Faces and More in Everyday Scenery)
Example #1: Person Standing Over Edge of A Cliff Seen In Background of One Photo but Not Another.Example #2:
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Season 2025
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Episode 63
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24:12
Going Gangbusters on Personal Health and More
Main Topic: The Word "Gangbusters"The episode centers on the meaning, usage, and origin of the word "gangbusters," prompted by a listener request.The hosts initially discuss their own understanding, associating "gangb...
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Season 2025
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Episode 62
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27:05
Things of Which We're Proud, Plus Plumbers
The episode centers around the etymology of the word "plumber" and segues into a broader discussion about pride, personal achievements, and learning styles.Key Points:Origin of "Plumber":The hosts discuss the word "...
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Season 2025
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Episode 61
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27:17
Bonus Knock Knock Joke
Bonus knock knock joke, following our humorous episode from yesterday!
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Season 2025
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Episode 60
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0:05
What a Joke of an Episode
Episode Milestone and Word of the DayThe hosts discuss the significance of reaching episode 60, debating whether 50 or 60 is a more exciting milestone.The featured word is "rubric." They explore its meanings:I...
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Season 2025
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Episode 60
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39:10