The Stories Behind Our Words by Darovin

The Stories Behind Our Words by Darovin - August 2018 Scholarship Essay

My educational podcast would concern etymology (the history of words and phrases) as well as the history of nursery rhymes and fairy tales. For this podcast, I would need to perform in-depth research on the subject matter, acquiring enough knowledge to be able to deliver a substantial amount of information in an entertaining manner.

The origin and meaning of many words and phrases are often very interesting. For instance, the word “dunce” derives from the name of the philosopher and theologian John Duns Scotus. His theories and methods were discredited by many Renaissance scholars, who referred to those who still clung to his ideals as “Dunsmen” or “Dunces” in a derogatory fashion. This term eventually grew to become the term we know it as today, “dunce,” meaning “a fool.” During my podcast, I would focus on the most interesting words and phrases possible to keep the audience entertained while they are also educated in various fields, including history, science, and English.

In addition to individual words or phrases, numerous nursery rhymes and fairy tales also have interesting histories, the origins of which are often still disputed today. As an example of this, in the nursery rhyme, Humpty Dumpty (sometimes depicted as an egg) falls off a wall, breaks, and cannot be put back together. However, the term "Humpty Dumpty" was originally used to describe a specific type of alcoholic beverage, a term that later evolved to refer to short, clumsy people. As for the story told in the nursery rhyme, some believe that it refers to a cannon known as Humpty Dumpty that was used by the Royalists in the English Civil War, which fell from the wall it had been placed upon and could not be put back into position due to its immense weight.

In each episode of the podcast, I would discuss a different word, phrase, fairy tale, or nursery rhyme — including any historical events or circumstances that facilitate understanding of its evolution into and through the English language. Through this medium, listeners across America would have the opportunity to learn valuable information while engaging in an entertaining pastime.