85. Jactitation

Butter No Parsnips

In this episode, Kyle and Emily discuss the meaning and origin of the word jactitation. No cap. …Okay, maybe a little cap.

They talk about the roots of this word, how it evolved from meanings like throw or scatter, to meanings like boast or brag. And this leads them to a fascinating dive into the history of the letter J, and its relation to the letter I. But the real meat and potatoes of this episode is a look at some of history’s greatest show-offs.

Kyle tells us about a saint who defeated the devil with a horseshoe, as well as a church whose monks may have stretched the truth a bit. And Emily delights in the story of a woman who is perhaps history’s greatest jactitator. This coquette’s thrilling life included a not so lucky marriage, a suspect title of duchess, and a possible brush with the Pope.

Join us every week as we explore the fascinating origins and meanings of words, uncovering the hidden stories behind language and how it evolves over time, for language enthusiasts and etymology buffs alike.

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Produced by Seth Gliksman, Kyle Imperatore, and Emily Moyers

Main theme and accompanying themes by Kyle Imperatore