#25: Vaccine — Named After the Cow That Saved Millions of Lives episode artwork

EPISODE · May 8, 2026 · 1 MIN

#25: Vaccine — Named After the Cow That Saved Millions of Lives

from The Why of Words

Discover why vaccines are named after cow pus. In 1796, English doctor Edward Jenner noticed milkmaids who caught cowpox never developed smallpox, leading to the first vaccine. The word's Latin roots literally mean 'of or relating to cows'—a fitting tribute to bovine biology's role in medical history.---More from Sticky Note Podcasts:Deep in the Stacks (daily jazz vinyl) | Required Drinking (cocktail history) | Photography Knowledge (daily photo tips)stickynotepodcasts.com

Discover why vaccines are named after cow pus. In 1796, English doctor Edward Jenner noticed milkmaids who caught cowpox never developed smallpox, leading to the first vaccine. The word's Latin roots literally mean 'of or relating to cows'—a fitting tribute to bovine biology's role in medical history. --- 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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#25: Vaccine — Named After the Cow That Saved Millions of Lives

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This episode was published on May 8, 2026.

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Discover why vaccines are named after cow pus. In 1796, English doctor Edward Jenner noticed milkmaids who caught cowpox never developed smallpox, leading to the first vaccine. The word's Latin roots literally mean 'of or relating to cows'—a fitting...

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