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
What this episode covers
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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