How The (English) Alphabet Became A Thing, Pa...

Often called "the thick, creamy bastard child of oil and eggs" (well, called that at least once by Ben), mayonnaise remains one of the world's most divisive condiment. But where did it come from? In today's continuing Ridiculous History of condiments, Ben, Noel and Max get to the ...  Show more

In a small suburb of Atlanta back in the 1950s, two men hatched an amazing concept: a restaurant that never closes. In today's episode, the guys explore the origin story of Georgia's most mythical restaurant: Waffle House.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. 

Language not only defines humans as a species, placing us head and shoulders above even the most proficient animal communicators, but it also beguiles us with its endless mysteries. How did different languages come to be? Why isn't there just a single language? How does a languag ...  Show more

In early Modern English, writers and printers began to revise the spelling of many English words to reflect their etymological origins. Old letters were revived from the dead to reflect sounds that had disappeared over time in those words. This fad reached its height in the mid-1 ...  Show more

From the steppes of prehistoric Eurasia to the languages we speak today, the story of Indo-European is one of ancient roots and global impact. But what exactly is Indo-European? Who spoke it? And how did a single language family come to dominate nearly half the world?

Title: The Heart of CleopatraLevel: Advanced (C1)Story: Set against the rich, atmospheric backdrop of ancient Egypt, The Heart of Cleopatra unveils the secret life of one of history’s most enigmatic queens. Behind the throne, beneath the gilded halls of Alexandria, Cleopatra guar ...  Show more