61. Ken

This word is everything. And it’s also just ken. This week, Emily and Kyle discover that ken is a lot more than just a doll in Barbie land. They find that this word begins, aptly, with Old English definitions related to birth and kin. Ken quickly leaves the next, however, flying to Scotland and gaining a myriad of meanings about knowledge and sight. Turns out it even relates to the everyday word ‘can’! They discuss how ken still shows up in Scottish English meaning know or see--as well as ken’s existence in American English as something called a fossil word. But perhaps that part is much ado about nothing…  Join us every week as we explore the fascinating origins and meanings of words, uncovering the hidden stories behind language and how it evolves over time, for language enthusiasts and etymology buffs alike. Like and follow us on Instagram and Facebook @ButterNoParsnipsPodcast Follow us on TikTok @ButterNoParsnips Support us! ⁠www.patreon.com/ButterNoParsnips⁠ Produced by Seth Gliksman, Kyle Imperatore, and Emily Moyers Main theme and accompanying themes by Kyle Imperatore