Episodi

  • The Duck Difference
    Jun 20 2026

    This week, Joe and Jackson dive into the surprisingly weird history of duct tape, duck tape, WD-40, and PB Blaster. Why do some people swear by one product over another? Is Duck Tape actually duct tape? What does WD-40 even stand for? And can any of these miracle products really fix everything?

    Along the way, we explore military origins, rusted bolts, questionable home repairs, and other facinating crap.

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    37 min
  • The History of English, Constantly Interrupted
    Jun 13 2026

    What do Vikings, French nobles, Roman soldiers, and a terrible Sean Connery impression have in common? They all helped shape this week's episode on the surprisingly chaotic history of the English language.

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    41 min
  • Big Trouble In Little Pennsylvania: Language Part 2
    Jun 6 2026

    In this episode, Joe puts Jackson in the hot seat with follow-up questions from our previous discussion on language and rhetoric. We explore theories about the birth of language, how humans went from gestures and sounds to complex communication, and the teachers who inspired us along the way. As usual, the conversation takes a few unexpected turns.

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    29 min
  • Words, Myths, and Other Poor Decisions
    May 30 2026

    What makes language so powerful? Why are humans uniquely capable of persuasion, storytelling, and argument? This week, Jackson shares lessons from a college course he teaches on the origins of language and rhetoric. We dive into Greek mythology, ancient philosophy, and the foundations of communication itself—before wandering into territory that would almost certainly not appear on the final exam.

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    28 min
  • Riobic Tompomiter: Lyrics Part 3
    May 23 2026

    Why do lyrics matter so much to us? In Part 3 of our ongoing lyrics series, Jackson gives Joe an alternative pronunciation to iambic pentameter and takes a surprisingly serious dive into poetry, meter, rhythm, rhyme schemes, Greek storytelling traditions, and the musical DNA that connects ancient epics to modern rock songs all while we cross our wires. Somewhere along the way, we discuss Bruce Springsteen crowds yelling choruses, the origins of rock & roll, and whether most people actually know the words they're singing.

    Joe contributes confusion, interruptions, and moral support.

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    32 min
  • Lyrics, Memory, and Misunderstanding Part 2
    May 16 2026

    In this episode, we explore why people mishear lyrics, where the term "mondegreen" comes from, and how songs evolve through misunderstanding and repetition. We also do a short lyrical breakdown of the classic hip-hop track They Reminisce Over You (T.R.O.Y.) by Pete Rock and C.L. Smooth, discussing its themes and lasting impact.

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    24 min
  • Misheard and Confident: 'Revved Up Like a… What?
    May 9 2026

    We've all done it—sang a lyric loud and proud only to find out years later we were completely wrong. In this episode, we dive into the world of misheard lyrics, from grunge-era mumbling to the legendary "revved up like a deuce" confusion in Blinded by the Light.

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    32 min
  • We Missed Our Exit. We're Dealing With It. Part 2
    May 2 2026

    After breaking down the unspoken rules of the road, which are very much spoken, Joe and Jackson go back through their biggest driving goofs and put them to the test—legal or illegal. Some answers are satisfying. Others… not so much.

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    32 min