logo
episode-header-image
Nov 2023
37m 25s

Serious Diseases with Seriously Funny Na...

iHeartPodcasts
About this episode

History is riddled with oddly-named diseases -- rickets, scurvy, brain fever and more. But where do these names come from? In the first part of this special two-part series, Ben, Noel and Max dive into the etymology of these strange and dangerous maladies... starting with dropsy.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Up next
Nov 5
The Ridiculous History of Estate Sales
Who doesn't love a good deal? Since the days of the Victorian era, people have flocked to estate sales -- the public or private sale of a person's belongings, usually held within their own home, with the aim of liquidating everything inside. And, while they've always been popular ... Show More
36m 36s
Nov 3
The Sound of Silence: What's Up With Silent Lettters?
While English may not be the world's most difficult language, it's certainly a weird one. Modern English is riddled with contradictory rules, bizarre exceptions and, of course, a odd little phenomenon known as silent letters. But where did they come from? Why do we spell "enough" ... Show More
35m 37s
Oct 31
CLASSIC: Castle Itter: When Germans and Americans Joined Forces in World War II
With one notable exception, American and German forces were bitterly opposed to one another during World War II -- that exception? The Battle of Castle Itter. Tune in to learn more about the strange sequence of events that led both the US and the Germany army to team up for a res ... Show More
25m 5s
Recommended Episodes
Nov 2021
Open Water
tail spinning
10m 29s
Jun 2017
24 - W56.22xA (The Making of A Disease)
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">What makes a disease? And who gets to decide? Producer Cam Steele brings us a story that spans migrating uteruses in ancient Egypt, a disease that makes slaves want to run away in the antebellum south, and the accidental discovery of an erection ... Show More
34m 4s
Jun 2023
Sonic Poison? The Genesis of Havana Syndrome
CIA agents in Havana complaining of mental fog, dizziness and ear pain in 2016. Children in Miami in 1974, hyperventilating and wracked with abdominal pain. A medieval outbreak of the “dancing plague”. A chorus of meowing nuns. These mysterious and seemingly disparate events may ... Show More
37m 4s
Feb 2021
Ancient Greek & Roman Medicine
Greg Jenner is joined by historian Dr Kristi Upson-Saia and comedian Stu Goldsmith to explore the strange world of Ancient Greek and Roman medicine. Welcome to a world where health was fleeting, water could be dangerous and communal bum sponges are all the rage. The team will tak ... Show More
57m 14s
Jan 2023
Ancient Greek & Roman Medicine (Radio Edit)
Greg Jenner is joined by historian Dr Kristi Upson-Saia and comedian Stu Goldsmith to explore the strange world of Ancient Greek and Roman medicine. Welcome to a world where health was fleeting and water could be dangerous. The team will take you through a variety of common ailme ... Show More
27m 58s
Dec 2024
SYMHC Classics: Scurvy
This 2020 episode covers scurvy, a deficiency in vitamin C. Its story goes way back in history – all the way to our evolutionary ancestors living more than 60 million years ago. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. 
37m 9s
Dec 2023
Mysterious Inventors, Part I: Crazy Cars and Creepy Islands
Humans are phenomenally inventive creatures -- problem is, some of their inventions may end up disrupting the status quo. As we explore the history of inventors, we find history is riddled with mysterious deaths, con artists, shady business and countless allegations of conspiracy ... Show More
1h 3m
Dec 2022
A History of Names
A double header about the history of first names and last names. “What's in a name? That which we call a rose by any other name would smell as sweet” As Romeo pondered the significance of the moniker of his beloved we have to admit, names are something we take for granted but the ... Show More
27m 25s
May 2022
Miss Piggies
Some legends are born that way. These two stories approach that idea from two very different, very curious angles.Join our Patreon for ad-free episodes!: https://www.patreon.com/grimandmildSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. 
10m 10s
Feb 2021
Level 2.166 Animals, humans and diseases
Some interesting reasons why we fall sick 
3m 42s