PODCAST · health
Enlarge Your Vocabulary
by Floydius-Maximus Jeremy Thomas Jefferson
The focus here is to revive some of the fabulously interesting words of yesterday, words that have fallen out of fashion. If you’d like to enlarge your vocabulary, while adding colour to your conversations, then you are in the right place!
Episodes
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60 Seconds with Floydius-Maximus Jeremy Thomas Jefferson
'Sixty seconds? It takes almost sixty seconds to say your name!' 'Oh... very droll. Very droll indeed.' Audiobook Readings: Book readings taken from the public domain and stories by the great Australian short story writer Henry Lawson. If your interested, type FM JEFFERSON into YouTube.
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Ahoy-Ahoy!
'.... rriiiiing ... rriiiing' 'Ahoy — Ahoy!' 'Who on earth answers their phone like that?' 'It's my new way of answering the phone.' 'Okay, that’s it — you’ve really gone bananas now.’ 'Ahoy-me-hearty — Ahoy!'
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Halcyon
'Oh, yes... the halcyon days were the best days.' 'I agree, but they wouldn't have been anything without the kingfishers.' 'Kingfishers?'
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Magnanimous
Magnanimous... 'to be... or not to be?'
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60 Seconds with Floydius-Maximus Jeremy Thomas Jefferson
'Sixty seconds? It takes almost sixty seconds to say your name!' 'Oh... very droll. Very droll indeed.' 'By the way, if you enjoy short, interesting stories, you might like my new YouTube channel, dedicated entirely to short stories. You’ll find it under FM Jefferson.' _ © The recording may not…
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Magnanimous
Magnanimous . . . to be . . . or not to be? _ © The recording may not be altered or used for commercial gain without the express written permission of Floydius-Maximus Jeremy Thomas Jefferson. No individual or entity may clone, reproduce, or record any sound imitating the voice of…
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Fortuitous
‘How could you say it was fortuitous that he broke his finger? What a thing to say – that's hardly good luck!’ ‘Exactly... that's what I said.’ ‘No, you said it was fortuitous!’ ‘Yes, that's right, I ... Oh, have a listen to the episode. You'll see what I mean.'
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Deipnosophist
Deipnosophist ... and the story of how today's word became today's word!
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60 Seconds with Floydius-Maximus Jeremy Thomas Jefferson
'Sixty seconds? It takes almost sixty seconds to say your name!' 'Oh... very droll. Very droll indeed.' _ © The recording may not be altered or used for commercial gain without the express written permission of Floydius-Maximus Jeremy Thomas Jefferson. No individual or entity may clone…
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Words in Action | Episode One: Room 17
Words in Action A mystery involving four words!
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Copacetic
‘Look at old Roger out there basking in the sun — he looks perfectly copacetic.’ ‘Oh, do you think he should move into the shade, then?’
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Supercilious
‘Matha, don’t you find Stanley a rather boring supercilious?’ ‘No, I don’t think so — I think he’s more of a super-silly soddiest.’ ‘Oh dear… is there such a word?’
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Lackadaisical
‘Charge your glasses, ladies and gentlemen, and raise a toast to the motto of the unhurried, who prefer not to seize the day but would rather—Neglige diem!’
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60 Seconds with Floydius-Maximus Jeremy Thomas Jefferson
'Sixty seconds? It takes nearly sixty seconds to say your name!' 'Oh, very droll ... indeed.' __ © The recording may not be altered or used for commercial gain without the express written permission of Floydius-Maximus Jeremy Thomas Jefferson. No individual or entity may clone, reproduce, or…
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Oxymoron
‘Define oxymoron.’ ‘Sure… that’s as clear as mud.’
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Impecunious
Impecunious : im-pih-KYOO-nee-uhs ‘Fancy a bite to eat?’ ‘I would, but I’m feeling rather… impecunious.’ ‘Impecunious? That sounds expensive.’ ‘On the contrary, my good man—you’ll find it a wise investment… one that will come back to you a hundredfold.’ ‘Oh, really? Another one of those meals, I...
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Fidelity
"Holy doghouse, Batman! This looks like a pet cemetery—with all these statues of dogs on the graves!’ ‘Not quite, Boy Wonder… you’re barking up the wrong tree.’ ‘Gosh—then what is it?’ ‘A mystery, Robin… and one worth uncovering.’ ‘Doggone, Batman, I have a lot to learn.’ ‘Don’t worry, old chum....
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The Union Buries Its Dead
Short Story For non-watermarked readings, contact: [email protected] Henry Archibald Hertzberg Lawson (17th June 1867 – 2nd September 1922) was an Australian writer and bush poet. Henry Lawson is often referred to as Australia’s greatest short story writer. He was also a master of the bush...
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Gregorios
Meanwhile, at the headquarters of ‘We Get the Truth Inc’: ‘Chief, the algorithms are inconclusive. The lie detectors are baffled. We simply cannot be sure he’s telling the truth.’ A deathly silence fell across the room. The Chief rose slowly. Steely-eyed. Stone-faced. Immovable. In a low,...
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Mellifluous
‘She has such a euphonious voice.’ ‘What? Nonsense — she has magical dulcet tones.’ ‘Blimey, next you’ll be telling me she has a sonorous voice.’ ‘You’re all wrong. Her voice is like honey to the ear — smooth, sweet and impossible to resist. In a word: mellifluous!
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Surveillance
'I’m off to town, love.' 'Take care — it’s rough downtown nowadays.' 'No need to worry, dear. Big Brother has me — and everyone else — under surveillance. They’re always watching out for us.' 'Oh, yes, I forgot, aren’t they wonderful?' 'hmm.
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Bound for the Lord-Knows-Where
Reading Henry Archibald Hertzberg Lawson (17th June 1867 – 2nd September 1922) was an Australian writer and bush poet. Henry Lawson is often referred to as Australia’s greatest short story writer. He was also a master of the bush ballad. Note: A bush ballad is a traditional Australian narrative...
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Cupidity
'While Cupid sends arrows of love, watch out — cupidity can have a nasty sting!'
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Schadenfreude
Terry: By Jove, that was quite an email, Ken. I’m sure Sue will be moved. Ken: You read my private email? Terry: You accidentally sent it to the entire office staff. Ken: No... I’m ruined! Terry: Oh, dear, never mind, I'm sure things will pick up! (He said with the corners of his mouth slightly...
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‘If—’
Reading Rudyard Kipling (30th December 1865 –18th January 1936) was one of the most influential English writers of his time. In 1907 he received the Nobel Prize in Literature — the first English-language writer to earn it, and still the youngest person ever to do so. Kipling’s If—, written in…
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Pulchritudinous.
Pulchritudinous. 'puhl·kruh·choo·duh·nuhs' ‘‘Did you hear Marie has opened a new flower shop?’ ‘No, what’s it called?’ ‘The Pulchritudinous Florist.’ ‘Who, Marie or the flowers?’ ‘Both.’
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We Called Him Ally for Short
Short Story Henry Archibald Hertzberg Lawson (17th June 1867 – 2nd September 1922) was an Australian writer and bush poet. Regarded as one of the best-known Australian poets and fiction writers of his time, he is often referred to as Australia's 'greatest short story writer.' Problem with ghosts?...
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Loquacious / Loquacity / Loquaciousness
Even at a young age, Sally was delightfully loquacious and engaging.
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Pugnacious
‘Henry, Mr and Mrs Pugnacious would like to come over at the weekend for a discussion.’ ‘What? Quick, Martha — book the next flight to Coober Pedy! Surely we’ll be safe there?’ (When Mr and Mrs Pugnacious want to “have a word,” it’s time to make a run for the outback!)
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Dubiety
“...only, it was that last strange look she gave me— I was struck with a flash of dubiety.”
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Callow
'Since the report leaked a week ago, we’ve had no flights landing at our airport, Reggie… perhaps hiring callow fellows wasn’t the smartest move after all.'
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Garbist
‘Dolly, why so many tears?’ ‘It’s Archibald. He’s always written the sweetest letters to me, but in this letter, he’s called me the Queen of Garbage! How could he?’ ‘Let me see the letter.’ ‘No, Dolly—he’s called you the Queen of Garbists... garbists.’ ‘Garbist? I’ll give him “gabist” next time I...
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Porciloquent
'Pete's perfectly punctuated porciloquence left them all in awe! So much said in so few words!' (Apologies for mother's interference!)
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Indefatigable
His indefatigability left the indefatigable indefatigably exhausted; for never in the history of the indefatigable had such indefatigableness been witnessed! Note: You may struggle to find the noun: indefatigableness in most dictionaries. Why? They've deemed it obsolete—a tragic casualty of...
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Persiflage
‘I wouldn’t go in there if I were you.’ ‘Oh? Why ever not?’ ‘Your persiflage about her cooking hasn’t exactly gone down well with Aunt Martha.’
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Recalcitrant
Recalcitrant: adjective meaning 'stubbornly uncooperative'—much like your Wi-Fi when you need it most! _ © The recording may not be altered or used for commercial gain without the express written permission of Floydius-Maximus Jeremy Thomas Jefferson. No individual or entity may clone, reproduce,...
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How does a word become a word?
It’s not as simple as saying it out loud—though that’s a start. In this episode, we trace the curious path from playful coinage to dictionary legitimacy. Along the way, we meet words that sneaked in, strutted in, or simply refused to go away. _ © The recording may not be altered or used for...
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Gossipient
Brand New Word Alert. You heard it here first! Gossipient (First public use: 6 July 2025 – Enlarge Your Vocabulary, Episode 71) gossipient (adj.) /ˈɡɒ.sɪ.pi.ənt/ ‘GOSS-ih-pee-ənt’ Actively inclined to spread gossip, often with great relish. gossipient (noun) Someone who delights in gathering and...
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Expergefactor
"Hurry! It’s Fred – he’s been hit in the eye with an expergefactor!" _ © The recording may not be altered or used for commercial gain without the express written permission of Floydius-Maximus Jeremy Thomas Jefferson. No individual or entity may clone, reproduce, or record any sound imitating the...
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Expergefaction
'He's beginning to see the light – he's having an expergefaction!' (Ready the chorus of angels!) _ © The recording may not be altered or used for commercial gain without the express written permission of Floydius-Maximus Jeremy Thomas Jefferson. No individual or entity may clone, reproduce, or...
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Calvity
His calvity glistened in the early morning sun! _ © The recording may not be altered or used for commercial gain without the express written permission of Floydius-Maximus Jeremy Thomas Jefferson. No individual or entity may clone, reproduce, or record any sound imitating the voice of...
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Alacrity
Silva’s electric alacrity dispelled the team’s despondency! _ © The recording may not be altered or used for commercial gain without the express written permission of Floydius-Maximus Jeremy Thomas Jefferson. No individual or entity may clone, reproduce, or record any sound imitating the voice of...
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Abstemious
'Eric and Phyllis are coming to dinner tonight.' 'Oh goodie, more ice cream for us — I guess they’ll enjoy their spoonful of self-control!' (maniacal laughter!) _ © The recording may not be altered or used for commercial gain without the express written permission of Floydius-Maximus Jeremy…
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How Do I Love Thee?
Reading Elizabeth Barrett Browning (1806–1861) was a prominent English poet of the Victorian era, renowned for her eloquent and passionate poetry. Born in County Durham, she gained literary acclaim with her collection "Sonnets from the Portuguese," which expresses her deep love for fellow poet...
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Sedulous
Julia’s little face lit up in loving delight as she hugged Teddy tightly — after Nana J’s sedulous efforts and her unwavering sedulity lovingly restored ‘Teddy’ back to life with every careful stitch!
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Egoism
‘Here comes Paul, but what on earth is that ginormous thing he has on a leash?’ ‘Oh, that’s his best friend, his ego. He likes to take it for walkies each day!’
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Complaisant
‘Do you know Des?’ ‘Oh, sure! He’s gold — one of the more complacent people in the community.’ ‘Ah, I think you mean "complaisant” — he’s always eager and willing to help.’
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Tattler
‘Hey! Aunt Bea is on her way over, and she’s bringing bucketloads of sweets!’
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Mulga Bill's Bicycle
Reading Andrew Barton 'Banjo' Paterson, CBE (17 February 1864 – 5 February 1941). Patterson wrote the poem in 1896. It was originally published on the 25 July 1896 edition of the Sydney Mail. Mulga Bill's Bicycle tells the hilarious story of Mulga Bill, who thinks he's much better at cycling than...
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Lugubrious
'And the Oscar goes to ... (drumroll, please) ... Lenny the Lugubrious!'
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ABOUT THIS SHOW
The focus here is to revive some of the fabulously interesting words of yesterday, words that have fallen out of fashion. If you’d like to enlarge your vocabulary, while adding colour to your conversations, then you are in the right place!
HOSTED BY
Floydius-Maximus Jeremy Thomas Jefferson
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many episodes does Enlarge Your Vocabulary have?
Enlarge Your Vocabulary currently has 82 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.
What is Enlarge Your Vocabulary about?
The focus here is to revive some of the fabulously interesting words of yesterday, words that have fallen out of fashion. If you’d like to enlarge your vocabulary, while adding colour to your conversations, then you are in the right place!
How often does Enlarge Your Vocabulary release new episodes?
Enlarge Your Vocabulary has 82 episodes. Check the episode list to see recent publication dates and frequency.
Where can I listen to Enlarge Your Vocabulary?
You can listen to Enlarge Your Vocabulary on PodParley by clicking any episode. We provide an embedded audio player for direct listening, and you can also subscribe via your preferred podcast app using the RSS feed.
Who hosts Enlarge Your Vocabulary?
Enlarge Your Vocabulary is created and hosted by Floydius-Maximus Jeremy Thomas Jefferson.
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