#21: Muscle — Romans Saw a Little Mouse Under Your Skin episode artwork

EPISODE · May 4, 2026 · 1 MIN

#21: Muscle — Romans Saw a Little Mouse Under Your Skin

from The Why of Words

Explore the surprising etymology of the word "muscle"—it doesn't come from Latin words meaning strength or power as you'd expect. Instead, the Romans named muscles after something tiny and squirming: the word musculus literally means "mouse" because a flexing bicep resembled a small rodent.---More from Sticky Note Podcasts:Deep in the Stacks (daily jazz vinyl) | Required Drinking (cocktail history) | Photography Knowledge (daily photo tips)stickynotepodcasts.com

Explore the surprising etymology of the word "muscle"—it doesn't come from Latin words meaning strength or power as you'd expect. Instead, the Romans named muscles after something tiny and squirming: the word musculus literally means "mouse" because a flexing bicep resembled a small rodent. --- More from Sticky Note Podcasts: Deep in the Stacks (daily jazz vinyl) | Required Drinking (cocktail history) | Photography Knowledge (daily photo tips) stickynotepodcasts.com

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#21: Muscle — Romans Saw a Little Mouse Under Your Skin

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This episode was published on May 4, 2026.

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Explore the surprising etymology of the word "muscle"—it doesn't come from Latin words meaning strength or power as you'd expect. Instead, the Romans named muscles after something tiny and squirming: the word musculus literally means "mouse" because...

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