#31: Tsunami — Japanese Fishermen Named It the Harbor Wave

Discover the Japanese origins of the word 'tsunami'—a term borrowed into English for a tragic reason. Unlike the common assumption that it simply means 'giant wave,' tsunami is actually composed of two Japanese words: tsu (harbor) and nami (wave), literally translating to 'harbor wave.' Learn why Japanese coastal communities needed this specific word.---More from Sticky Note Podcasts:Deep in the Stacks (daily jazz vinyl) | Required Drinking (cocktail history) | Photography Knowledge (daily photo tips)stickynotepodcasts.com

Episode metadata supplied by the publisher feed · Published May 18, 2026

Embed this episode

Attribution link and audio player

What this episode covers

The Japanese word 'tsunami' literally means 'harbor wave,' not just 'giant wave.'

Distinct summary based on available episode metadata or transcript content.

Ready to play

#31: Tsunami — Japanese Fishermen Named It the Harbor Wave

0:00 1:59

1×

No transcript for this episode yet

We transcribe on demand. Request one and we'll notify you when it's ready — usually under 10 minutes.

Share this episode

Similar Episodes

No similar episodes found.

Similar Podcasts

No similar podcasts found.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long is this episode of The Why of Words?

This episode is 1 minute long.

When was this The Why of Words episode published?

This episode was published on May 18, 2026.

Can I download this The Why of Words episode?

Yes. Use the download control on the episode player to save the publisher-provided media file.

URL copied to clipboard!