EPISODE · Jan 25, 2025 · 1H 3M
Absurd Origins: The Stories Behind Everyday Sayings
from The Absurdists · host Marlo Anderson
Welcome back! After a holiday hiatus, Marlo and Mary dive into the bizarre, funny, and often dark origins of common expressions we use every day. From "raining cats and dogs" to "kick the bucket," this episode explores the fascinating history behind these sayings and how they’ve evolved over time. Along the way, you'll hear hilarious banter, personal anecdotes, and even a discussion about buttering up deities! What You'll Hear in This Episode: Why 17th-century England might’ve inspired "raining cats and dogs."The peculiar connection between bullets and enduring pain with "bite the bullet."Did ancient Greeks spill more than secrets with "spill the beans"?How cake became the ultimate symbol of ease with "a piece of cake."The absurd history of throwing butter balls at statues and its connection to "buttering someone up."Why you might want to rethink using "kick the bucket." Fun Highlights: Mary’s Easy-Bake Oven cornbread memories.Marlo’s story of being “red-handed” in Reno.A spirited debate about what it means to "put your best foot forward." Why Listen? If you’ve ever wondered where your favorite sayings came from or want to impress your friends with trivia about phrases you casually use, this episode is for you. Plus, Marlo and Mary’s chemistry and humor make for a fun and entertaining listen. Catch This Episode Anywhere You Podcast!
What this episode covers
Welcome back! After a holiday hiatus, Marlo and Mary dive into the bizarre, funny, and often dark origins of common expressions we use every day. From "raining cats and dogs" to "kick the bucket," this episode explores the fascinating history behind these sayings and how they’ve evolved over time. Along the way, you'll hear hilarious banter, personal anecdotes, and even a discussion about buttering up deities! What You'll Hear in This Episode: Why 17th-century England might’ve inspired "raining cats and dogs."The peculiar connection between bullets and enduring pain with "bite the bullet."Did ancient Greeks spill more than secrets with "spill the beans"?How cake became the ultimate symbol of ease with "a piece of cake."The absurd history of throwing butter balls at statues and its connection to "buttering someone up."Why you might want to rethink using "kick the bucket." Fun Highlights: Mary’s Easy-Bake Oven cornbread memories.Marlo’s story of being “red-handed” in Reno.A spirited debate about what it means to "put your best foot forward." Why Listen? If you’ve ever wondered where your favorite sayings came from or want to impress your friends with trivia about phrases you casually use, this episode is for you. Plus, Marlo and Mary’s chemistry and humor make for a fun and entertaining listen. Catch This Episode Anywhere You Podcast!
NOW PLAYING
Absurd Origins: The Stories Behind Everyday Sayings
No transcript for this episode yet
Similar Episodes
Mar 26, 2026 ·1m
Mar 19, 2026 ·34m
Feb 18, 2026 ·11m
Feb 11, 2026 ·45m