83. Bowdlerize

Butter No Parsnips

Take a trip through the good, the bad, and the ugly sides of censorship, as Emily and Kyle discuss the meaning and origin of the word bowdlerize.

They begin by talking about the family name from which this word derives. That takes them on a deep dive into a time which was very concerned with being family-friendly. Our hosts talk about the Regency and Victorian eras, when modesty and morality were of the utmost importance.

Our hosts (and producer) also perform a bit of theatre, taking a look at a famously censored edition of Shakepeare. They read bowdlerized quotes from Romeo and Juliet, Hamlet, and Macbeth. Emily and Kyle also bring this word to the modern era, talking about their experiences with banned books in libraries.

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