#9: Avocado — Five Centuries of Mispronouncing an Aztec Word episode artwork

EPISODE · Apr 16, 2026 · 1 MIN

#9: Avocado — Five Centuries of Mispronouncing an Aztec Word

from The Why of Words

Explore the fascinating etymology of 'avocado' and discover it's not the straightforward Spanish word most assume. Trace the word's journey from the Aztec *ahuacatl* through Spanish conquistadors in the 1500s, revealing a messier and more compelling linguistic history than guacamole suggests.---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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#9: Avocado — Five Centuries of Mispronouncing an Aztec Word

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This episode was published on April 16, 2026.

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Explore the fascinating etymology of 'avocado' and discover it's not the straightforward Spanish word most assume. Trace the word's journey from the Aztec *ahuacatl* through Spanish conquistadors in the 1500s, revealing a messier and more compelling...

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