91. Fomite

Butter No Parsnips

Kyle grabs the doorknob with his tongue this week to let Emily into the world of the word fomite.

And if you’re still around after reading that sentence, then you’ll have no fear of what follows as Kyle decides to plunge us all head first into the subject of disease transmission. Not before, of course, introducing us to that household name Girolamo Fracastoro who was among the first to fathom the concept of transmission in any modern way.

Fomite brings us from atomism to the early days of germ theory to the recent pandemic (or epidemic for the more colloquial type). And while you might hope the disease talk is over, Kyle makes sure Emily is good and ill by the time he’s wrapping up by touching on infections, syphilis, and worst of all, back-formations.

Join us every week as we explore the fascinating origins and meanings of words, uncovering the hidden stories behind language and how it evolves over time, for language enthusiasts and etymology buffs alike.

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Produced by Seth Gliksman, Kyle Imperatore, and Emily Moyers

Main theme and accompanying themes by Kyle Imperatore