68. Christmas Gifts

Etymoleon - Word History, the etymology podcast.

This time, we're unwrapping etymology through the history of Christmas gifting. The word gift in both English and German comes from the same root, though in German it evolved to mean poison. Must-have toys often cause a frenzy, like Teletubbies and Tickle Me Elmo, with the word frenzy tracing back to an ancient Greek word that also gave us frenetic and schizophrenia. Chocolate advent calendars only became popular in the 1990s; the term advent derives from a Latin term meaning to come. Listen for the history of holiday gifting and the legend behind stockings by the fireplace. This podcast returns in January 2025.