In this episode we’re opening our mailbag to answer three fascinating questions from our listeners. How did “ass,” a word for donkeys and butts, become what linguists call an “intensifier” for just about everything? How do pharmaceuticals get their wacky names? And why do we all seem to think that aliens from outer space would travel to Earth just to kidnap ... Show More
Nov 19
How Protein Muscled Its Way to the Top
Americans are currently besotted with protein. It’s touted as being good for muscle growth, weight loss, skincare, mental acuity, longevity, and much else besides. It’s sold to men, women, children, the elderly— you can even buy protein for your pets. The protein supplement marke ... Show More
44m 50s
Nov 12
The Slate Culture Gift Guide
Hark, the holiday season is upon us—and with it the most solemn of festive traditions: a gift guide! In this video and podcast special, Slate hosts Dana Stevens, Chris Molanphy, and Willa Paskin beam-in from their collective hearths to deliver unto the internet their favorite gif ... Show More
49m 44s
Nov 5
Cozy Autumn Mysteries
Autumn may have more cozy signifiers than any other season—though we all have our own favorites. Maybe for you it’s sweater weather, football games, spooky season, apple picking, leaf peeping, or mainlining candy corn. Whatever it is, in today’s episode we’re looking closely at t ... Show More
55m 1s
Jul 2025
Decoder Ring | The White Noise Boom
White noise has a very precise technical definition, but people use the term loosely, to describe all sorts of washes of sound—synthetic hums, or natural sounds like a rainstorm or crashing waves—that can be used to mask other sounds. Twenty years ago, if you’d told someone white ... Show More
52m 58s
Jul 2024
Les trompettes de l'apocalypse : enquête sur un phénomène sonore [Best-of]
Vrombissements, crissements métalliques, hurlements inhumains... Aux quatre coins du globe, des individus prétendent avoir entendu de tels bruits déchirant le ciel.
Ce mystérieux vacarme est appelé un "Hum". Patrice Marty, explorateur et passionné de sujets inexpliqués, raconte s ... Show More
38m 59s
Jul 2024
L'affaire du col Dyatlov [Best-of]
En 1959, 9 jeunes randonneurs sont retrouvés morts dans des circonstances mystérieuses, au col Dyatlov, dans les montagnes de l'Oural. Egon Kragel, auteur sur le sujet des ovnis et enquêteur indépendant, discute avec Bob Bellanca de cette affaire. Plusieurs détails troublants res ... Show More
56m 14s