#38: Worry — Old English for Strangling and Seizing by the Throat episode artwork

EPISODE · May 27, 2026 · 1 MIN

#38: Worry — Old English for Strangling and Seizing by the Throat

from The Why of Words

Discover the violent origins of 'worry.' While we use it today to describe anxiety and stress, the word once meant to strangle and seize. Explore how this Old English term *wyrgan* evolved from something with teeth into a modern psychological experience.---More from Sticky Note Podcasts:Deep in the Stacks (daily jazz vinyl) | Required Drinking (cocktail history) | Photography Knowledge (daily photo tips)stickynotepodcasts.com

Discover the violent origins of 'worry.' While we use it today to describe anxiety and stress, the word once meant to strangle and seize. Explore how this Old English term *wyrgan* evolved from something with teeth into a modern psychological experience. --- 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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#38: Worry — Old English for Strangling and Seizing by the Throat

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This episode was published on May 27, 2026.

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Discover the violent origins of 'worry.' While we use it today to describe anxiety and stress, the word once meant to strangle and seize. Explore how this Old English term *wyrgan* evolved from something with teeth into a modern psychological...

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