141. Formication

Kyle really gets Emily itching for a word this week, but don’t worry, it’s probably just formication. From medieval pustules to meth mites, this week's word scurries through centuries of medical language and insect-inspired metaphors.Kyle takes us through the Latin root formīca and the many creepy-crawly terms it spawned, while exploring the fine line between a nerve impulse and a full-blown hallucination. Plus: fainting pulses, swarming peasants, and the surprising link between ants and your kitchen countertop.From skin-deep symptoms to countertop laminate, it’s an episode that crawls in unexpected directions, and really starts to blur the lines between entomology and etymology.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.Like and follow us on Instagram and Facebook ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@ButterNoParsnipsPodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Follow us on YouTube @ButterNoParsnipsFollow us on TikTok ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@ButterNoParsnips⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Support us⁠⁠⁠www.patreon.com/ButterNoParsnips⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ or by visiting ⁠www.bnppod.com⁠Produced by⁠ ⁠Seth Gliksman⁠⁠, Kyle Imperatore, and Emily MoyersMain theme and accompanying themes by Kyle Imperatore