Etymoleon - Word History, the etymology podcast.
Word History is a podcast for people who enjoy words and history.
Each episode takes a small set of words linked to a theme. You'll hear what they mean, where they come from and which familiar words share the same linguistic roots, along with stories from the past related to their use.
Listen for words that sharpen expression, and brief histories that show how ideas and practices, as well as language, took shape. Across an archive of more than a hundred episodes, you'll find explanations of word, name and phrase origins.
The majority of etymologies featured return to Old English, Ancient Greek, Latin and Old French, providing a look into languages of the past that underpin English.
New episodes on Sundays.
Play the daily word game Derivety: https://derivety.com
Get in touch: https://etymoleon.com
Etymoleon - Word History, the etymology podcast.
109. Precision
This podcast returns on February 22nd 2026. This episode examines lesser-known words for discussions about Precision, looking at their origins and familiar words from the same root. Words explored include punctilious, ad litteram, cavilling, facsimile, pettifogging and fastidious.
Find out when systems of measurement moved from regional variation to global uniformity.
Sources:
https://www.goodreads.com/work/quotes/20686987-candelabra-selected-essays-and-addresses
https://wordhistories.net/2018/02/04/scruple-origin/
https://kmbs.konicaminolta.us/blog/new-facts-about-fax-in-healthcare/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7bUVjJWA6Vw
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-51198666
Transition sound by https://audionautix.com