Ridin’ Wordy

We use the phrase “let the cat out of the bag” when someone spills a secret… but what if it began with an actual scam? In this episode of Ridin’ Wordy, Sean Rhoads explores the wild and possibly shady history behind one of the most colorful phrases in the English language. Journey back to crowded medieval marketplaces, where buyers may have thought they were purchasing a piglet… only to open the sack and discover an angry cat instead. Was this the true origin of the phrase? Or just a story that survived because it was too good to forget? From fraud and folklore to modern spoilers and surprise reveals, this episode uncovers how a phrase about hidden truth may have clawed its way into everyday speech. You’ll never hear this saying the same way again.

You flex every day… but did you know your muscles are named after mice? In this episode of Ridin’ Wordy, Sean Rhoads explores the bizarre and hilarious origin of the word muscle, which traces back to the Latin word musculus, meaning little mouse. Why would the mighty Romans, conquerors of empires and builders of roads, name one of the strongest parts of the human body after a tiny rodent? Because when muscles moved under the skin… they thought it looked like mice scurrying beneath a blanket. From Ancient Rome to modern gyms, this episode dives into language, anatomy, history, and the wonderfully strange way humans name things. You’ll never do a bicep curl the same way again.

Mad as a Hatter will take working yourself crazy to a whole new level. 

This word might carry even more pressure when you learn the true origin. 

Get your mind out of the gutter. This word has an action-packed history, but probably not the same kind of action you might be thinking.

Once upon a time, “nerd” was a punchline. It meant awkward. Obsessive. Socially sidelined. Today? Nerds run Silicon Valley. They build the platforms. They design the future. They shape the economy. In this episode of Ridin’ Wordy, Sean Rhoads traces the surprising evolution of the word nerd — from its mysterious mid-20th-century debut to its transformation into a badge of intelligence, ambition, and cultural influence. You’ll discover: • Where the word “nerd” may have first appeared • How it became a schoolyard insult • Why pop culture helped reframe it • How technology shifted the balance of power • And what this word reveals about identity and status From comic books to coding bootcamps… From locker room jokes to boardroom leadership… Nerd didn’t just survive. It redefined success. Because words don’t just describe culture. They track who holds power. And this one flipped the script.

Before it meant working from a laptop. Before it meant invoices and flexible schedules. Before it meant “I’ll send the contract tonight.” It meant a weapon. In this episode of Ridin’ Wordy, Sean Rhoads traces the surprising origin of the word freelance — from medieval mercenaries carrying “free lances” into battle to today’s independent contractors shaping the modern gig economy. You’ll discover: • Where the term first appeared in literature • How knights for hire inspired a 21st-century workforce • Why independence has always come with risk • How technology turned swords into software • And what the word reveals about freedom, work, and power From armor to algorithms… From war horses to Wi-Fi… Freelance didn’t just change meaning. It changed how we work. Because every word has a backstory. And this one comes with a blade.

Before it meant “fine.” Before it meant “approved.” Before it meant absolutely nothing and absolutely everything… It was a joke. In this debut episode of Ridin’ Wordy, Sean Rhoads unpacks the wild origin story of O.K. — the two-letter abbreviation that went from a 19th-century Boston newspaper prank to the most recognized word on the planet. You’ll discover: • How intentional misspellings became a national trend • Why a presidential campaign helped launch O.K. into the mainstream • How O.K. spread across continents and languages • Why its meaning keeps shifting • And how power, culture, and media helped it go global From printing presses to politics… From telegraphs to text messages… O.K. didn’t just survive. It scaled. If you’ve ever said “okay” without thinking about it, this episode will make you hear it differently. Because even the simplest words carry a story. And this one changed the world.