Idiom Savant

A scavenging serf, a burglarious bishop, or an Irish invasion? Join us as we attempt to unravel another etymology by hook or by crook.

A treacherous task, a dubious deal, or a Norse code? Suffer with us on our journey into the underworld, as we seek the devil (to pay).

Ali Bavarian returns to the show and joins us for a rousing game of idiOMG.

As a post hoc Christmas celebration and in honor of our own resurrection as a podcast, we discuss a multitude of expressions and exclamations used as euphemisms for Jesus Christ.

An exciting christmas trip, an epic new video game, or a dramatic increase in real-world responsibilities? Join us as we discuss the origins of our unannounced holiday hiatus and what to expect in the near future.

A wild west ledger, an industrial convenience, or a spontaneous magician? Musical guest Ali Bavarian provides some melodic accompaniment as we attempt to uncover the origin of the expression “off the cuff.”

An abbreviated nepotist, a criminal’s kin, or a Scottish Musical? Download this episode, Bob’s your uncle… your life is now complete.

If you like baseball – but wish the rules were more confusing and clearly made up on the spot – then this episode is a home run. If you actually hope to learn anything about idiom etymology, this one’s probably a swing and a miss.

A presidential put-down, a British bowman, or a cerebral secret? Put on your thinking cap as we discuss the origins of the expression “keep it under your hat.”

A perspiring peasant, a salty serf, or a savory currency? Join us as we discuss the etymology of the phrase “worth his salt.” Or don’t, and suffer through some other bland, flavorless podcast instead.

Jamie introduces an updated and renovated iteration of the old Idiom Savant classic, idiOMG. We don’t want to give too much away but it’s definitely funny auto focus.

Dirt poor critters, furry yachts, or beasts of Scandinavian gods? Grab an umbrella and join us as we discuss the origin of the expression “raining cats and dogs.”

We attempt yet another idiom game. This one revolves around expressions from other countries and languages and by the end of the episode it becomes abundantly clear that we slid in on a shrimp sandwich.

A frigid maiden, an unwelcome visitor, or a curt countess? Join us as we explore the etymology of the expression “cold shoulder.”

Jamie tries out a new acronym based idiom game (ABIG) that Producer Shadi does his best to ruin. Download ASAP and prepare to LOL.

A dramatic assassin, a kneeling thespian, or an overworked rustler? Join us as we explore the etymology of the expression “break a leg.”

This episode is a dead ringer for a funny, educational, and interesting podcast. It contains none of those positive attributes but it sure looks like it would.

If you are abstaining from listening to podcasts this episode would be a good time to fall off the wagon.

Is the title of our inaugural episode a reference to the idiom that we actually discuss, or simply a red herring?