Fifty Words For Snow

Fifty Words For Snow

Maggie Rowe and Emily Garces

A linguistic expedition into brave new words. Maggie Rowe and Emily John Garcés hunt for words that lack an English equivalent. They like to think of themselves as Dora the Explorers of language, with their rucksacks and hats and notebooks and magnifying glasses, embarking on a cultural adventure, hunting and gathering useful new word specimens from far flung continents, and holding them up to see what new light they shine on old ideas.

Ep. 22 Buddhist Blessings: Dukkha and Mudita

Ep. 22 Buddhist Blessings: Dukkha and Mudita

Maggie and Emily discuss the Buddhist words dukkha and mudita with Zen priest Senshin and put the word “karma” on trial with judge Matthew Laura Aitken. Poem by Maggie: Not To My Liking.

Feb 20, • 30:56

Ep 21: Valentines: Love Around The World

Ep 21: Valentines: Love Around The World

Maggie and Emily talk to guests from around the world about love and learn how people say “I love you” across the globe. Poem by Emily: galaxies.

Feb 13, • 29:24

Ep 20 Armenian Ardor: Mousmous and Qti Maz

Ep 20 Armenian Ardor: Mousmous and Qti Maz

Maggie and Emily learn the Armenian words qti maz and mousmous from Gagik Hakobyan and John Ekezian. They discuss the term brickianity with Rob Bell and see the word kalsarikänni in action with Eric Giancoli. Poem by Maggie: Tapping Out.

Feb 6, • 27:57

Ep 19 Math and Music: Isophene, Asymptote, and Mondegreen

Ep 19 Math and Music: Isophene, Asymptote, and Mondegreen

Maggie and Emily discuss the words isophene and asymptote with fiction writer Susan Sechrist and learn the musical term mondegreen from jazz singer Sarah Spiegel. Poem by Emily: Isophene.

Jan 30, • 29:07

Ep 18: Hebrew Heart: Asir Toda and Nefesh

Ep 18: Hebrew Heart: Asir Toda and Nefesh

Maggie and Emily learn Hebrew words asir toda and nefesh from native speaker Leila Eden. Reporter at large Peter Baynham reports on the Finnish word kalsarikännit and Susie McDonnell shares “embarrask.” Poem by Maggie: Asir Toda (Gratitude Prisoner)

Jan 23, • 30:40

Ep. 17 Pashto Pearls Part Two: Gharzai and Sabar

Ep. 17 Pashto Pearls Part Two: Gharzai and Sabar

Maggie and Emily discuss the Pashto words gharzai and sabar with native speaker Sanjar Qiam from Afghanistan and learn the word "contemplocean" from the author of The Cosmic Dictionary, Norm Millstein. Poem by Emily: Gharzai.

Jan 14, • 36:58

Ep 16: Pashto Pearls: Khomar and Melamastia

Ep 16: Pashto Pearls: Khomar and Melamastia

Maggie and Emily learn the words khomar and melamastia from native speaker Sanjar Qiam. They speak with Italian actress Laura James about the Italian word pantofoliao and observe the French word flaneur in action with Jim Vallely. Poem by Maggie: It Happens Sometimes.

Jan 3, • 32:19

Ep 15: French Finds: Dépaysement and Flaneur

Ep 15: French Finds: Dépaysement and Flaneur

Maggie and Emily speak with Chris Reuland about the French words flaneur and dépaysement and learn a very particular use of the word “scripted” from John Ekezian. Poem by Emily: Dépaysement.

Dec 19, 2024 • 32:48

Ep 14 Croatian Chronos: Pomalo and Fjaka

Ep 14 Croatian Chronos: Pomalo and Fjaka

Maggie and Emily learn the words pomalo and fjaka from native Croatian speaker Saskia Neal. They discover the word hustletivity with Bonnie Harvey and Michael Houlihan. Poem by Maggie: It is Time.

Dec 12, 2024 • 36:59

Ep 13 Swedish Soul: Slutspurt and Lagom

Ep 13 Swedish Soul: Slutspurt and Lagom

Maggie and Emily talk to Majken Nillson about the Swedish words slutspurt and lagom. They explore a "Word in Action" with Nerys Miller-Baynham and the word "woolfthdt." Poem by Emily: Lagom.

Dec 5, 2024 • 28:22

Ep 12 Italian Inspirations: Scarpetta and Spaghettata

Ep 12 Italian Inspirations: Scarpetta and Spaghettata

Maggie and Emily discuss the words scarpetta and spaghettata with Italian guest Sofia Milos. They coin the term "highlight huddle" with C. Brian Smith and discuss gossip with Jim Vallely. Poem by Maggie: Scarpetta.

Nov 28, 2024 • 29:36

Ep. 11 Farsi Finds: Taarof and Khaste Nabashid

Ep. 11 Farsi Finds: Taarof and Khaste Nabashid

Maggie and Emily learn the Farsi words taarof and khaste nabashid with native speaker Navid Naderi Alizadeh and put the term “happy birthday” on trial. Poem by Emily: Taarof.

Nov 21, 2024 • 29:34

Ep. 10 Ancient Greek Anchors: Eunomia and Eudomonia

Ep. 10 Ancient Greek Anchors: Eunomia and Eudomonia

Maggie and Emily learn the ancient Greek words eunomia and eudomonia with scholar and theologian Peter Rollins. They coin the word "tempfatum." Poem by Maggie: Eunomia in the Aftermath.

Nov 14, 2024 • 33:17

Ep. 10 Ancient Greek Anchors: Eunomia and Eudomonia

Ep. 10 Ancient Greek Anchors: Eunomia and Eudomonia

Maggie and Emily learn the ancient Greek words eunomia and eudomonia with guest Peter Rollins. They coin the word "tempfatum." Poem by Maggie: Eunomia in the Aftermath.

Nov 14, 2024 • 33:20

Ep 9 Hawaiian Harmony: Pono and Ha’aha’a

Ep 9 Hawaiian Harmony: Pono and Ha’aha’a

Maggie and Emily learn the Hawaiian words pono and ha’aha’a from native speaker Luana Kawaa. They coin the word "pommies" with Vern M and put a usage of "cringe" on trial with Judge Matt Aitken. Poem by Emily: Getting Low.

Nov 7, 2024 • 31:51

Ep 8: Yiddish Yums: Machatunim and Kvell

Ep 8: Yiddish Yums: Machatunim and Kvell

Maggie and Emily learn the Yiddish words machatunim and kvell with guest Annie Korzen. They coin the word “yuck yum” with Nerys Miller-Baynham and “flink” with Tammy Schlofterson. Poem by Maggie: They Kvell.

Oct 31, 2024 • 29:12

Ep. 7 Spanish Specials: Estrenar and the Diminutive

Ep. 7 Spanish Specials: Estrenar and the Diminutive

Maggie and Emily discuss the Spanish diminutive and the word estrenar. They put the word sweet (usage of “compliant woman”) on trial with judge Matt Aitken and coin the word conker. Poem by Maggie: To Be Dear.

Oct 24, 2024 • 31:41

Ep 6 Chinese Charms: Guimi 闺蜜 and Houpa 后怕

Ep 6 Chinese Charms: Guimi 闺蜜 and Houpa 后怕

Maggie and Emily learn the Chinese words guimi 诡秘  and houpa 后怕 from native speaker Sheng Zhong. They coin the word “schaudenfriend” with Eric Giancoli and put the word “bromance” on trial with judge Matt Aiken. Poem by Emily: “Houpa: A Poem About PTSD.”

Oct 17, 2024 • 35:35

Ep. 5 Hindi Horizons: Jugaad and Jigivisha

Ep. 5 Hindi Horizons: Jugaad and Jigivisha

Maggie and Emily talk to native Hindi speaker Shashi Bandhu and learn the words jigivisha and jugaad. They coin the word “snoob” and rescue “scurrifunge” from the brink of extinction. Poem “Necessity Labors” by Maggie.

Oct 10, 2024 • 35:30

Ep. 4 Bengali Bounty: Aram and Jhapang Jhapang

Ep. 4 Bengali Bounty: Aram and Jhapang Jhapang

Maggie and Emily explore the Bengali words aram and jhapang jhapang with native speaker Safeera Ahmed. They put the word “canoodle” on trial with judge Jim Vallely, coin the word “rain-newel” and explore the concept of a soul wink from hotline caller Tammy Slofterson. Poem by Emily: Aram.

Oct 3, 2024 • 33:25

Ep. 3 German Gems: Waldensemkeit, Torschlusspanik, and Kaputreparium

Ep. 3 German Gems: Waldensemkeit, Torschlusspanik, and Kaputreparium

Maggie and Emily explore the German words torschlusspanik, waldensemkeit, and kaputreparium with linguist Charley Rowe and native German speaker Merle Emrich. They put the word “mine” on trial with judge Jim Vallely and coin the word “torschlusspresence.” Poem by Maggie “Nothing at All.”

Sep 26, 2024 • 37:36

Ep. 2 Japanese Jewels: Wabi Sabi and Shoshin

Ep. 2 Japanese Jewels: Wabi Sabi and Shoshin

Maggie and Emily explore the Japanese words wabi sabi and shoshin with native Japanese speaker Taka Tora in Tokyo. They put the word “should” or trial with judge Matt Vern and coin the words “winblunder” and “loomingloss.” Poem by Emily “A Japanese View of Love.”

Sep 19, 2024 • 36:17

Preview: Maggie and Emily's Mission

Preview: Maggie and Emily's Mission

Our mission.

Sep 5, 2024 • 6:45

Ep. 1 Dutch Delights: Gezellig and Niksen

Ep. 1 Dutch Delights: Gezellig and Niksen

Maggie and Emily explore the Dutch words gezellig and niksen with Dutch native speaker Natanel Bohmer. They put the word “lazy” on trial with judge Matt Vern, coin the word “sacred flakery,” and learn how long it takes it the average human being Jim Vallely to eat a banana. Poem by Maggie: Pilgrim! Stop your Progress!

Sep 5, 2024 • 35:20

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