Ep. 37: No Word

Today we take a break from our usual programming to catch up with each other and reveal tiny slivers of our usually concealed identities. Also, some number of impressions are done. 

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EV 36: Blunt

On today's episode, we are missing Aaron so we lose our edge as we discuss today's not-so-sharp word, "blunt." So join us as we consider the history of how warfare generates our metaphors, insults make us dance, and salsa inspires the salivary glands for us all. Abe takes us back in time through the origins of this word, while Efren brings a recent example from a work of literature by Justin Torres.

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BONUS: now you can join us for the never-ending Extreme Vocabulary Dance Party by listening to our playlist on Apple Music (spotify links forthcoming). Enjoy!

Ep. 35: Abstract

Today we find ourselves at the precipice between what is symbol and what is phenomena, and we discuss how words and numbers help us crossover from our crude matter into our minds and back out into the cosmos. Art itself supports and is supported by today's word. We also discuss weighty philosophical matters such as, what is the best time to eat a banana? And what the definition of is is. Abe did the researdch, while Efren brings us a piece of literature from Hector Tobar, and we choose a piece of music too. In the end though, it's really hard to say how anything really ever happened.

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Ep. 34: Skulduggery

This is no act of deceit or treachery, this is a real episode of Extreme Vocabulary, where we define one of the least rooted words we've ever had. Join us to learn the tale of how a Scottish word came to be used to describe a sex crime in old catholic documents, only to be later used to describe financial crimes in our own century. Then join us for one two many impressions, a poem by Vachel Lindsay, and a special helping of cool music.

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Ep. 33: Ubiquitous

Psst! It's us. We're right behind you. And in front of you. And also in these little wafers. That's right we are using our godlike powers to reach you yet again for another episode of Extreme Vocabulary. On this episode, we study another word with its roots in Christian history, but whose implications seem to have changed over time. Then, we listen to a passage from Borges, and choose a song to go out on. You know, the usual.

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Ep. 32: Sonder

On this episode, The Extreme Vocabularians find a recently-coined word and critique its poetic, philosophical, and psychological possibilities. In other words, we hate it. But even though this word is new, it has a mysterious and disputed history that you may have insight into. And in the spirit of coining new words, Abe and Josh decide to coin their own with interesting results. Then, Efren finds a tumblr blog, and Aaron wisely curates today's music selection. So, don't just feel the depths of our reality from afar, join it, by listening to today's episode of EXTREME VOCABULARY!

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Ep. 31: Defenestrate

Word recommender and guest host, Renee joins Extreme Vocabulary this week for a discussion on one of the deadliest words we've ever featured. Tracing this word's histories back to the time of the Reformation, we learn about how people used DEFENESTRATION as a particularly effective way to remove a religious authority from power? Is there a way to DEFENESTRATE things in our own time? Efren brings us a meditation on today's word from Elijah Matthew Tubbs, author of "In Through a Door, out a Window," and we all contemplate the many reasons we might find ourselves flying out a window. So, come to our window and join us for another great episode of EXTREME VOCABULARY.

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