EPISODE · May 29, 2026 · 1 MIN
#40: Melancholy — Greeks Blamed Sadness on an Excess of Black Bile
from The Why of Words
Explore why sadness has *style*. This episode uncovers melancholy's ancient roots in medieval humoral theory, revealing that the word's connection to honey (mel) is only half the story—the true etymology reveals how the ancients understood despair through the lens of science.---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 why sadness has *style*. This episode uncovers melancholy's ancient roots in medieval humoral theory, revealing that the word's connection to honey (mel) is only half the story—the true etymology reveals how the ancients understood despair through the lens of science. --- 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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#40: Melancholy — Greeks Blamed Sadness on an Excess of Black Bile
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