Maggie Rowe and Emily Garces

Fifty Words For Snow

Education EN ↓ 95 episodes

A linguistic expedition into brave new words. Maggie Rowe and Emily John Garcés hunt for words that lack an English equivalent. They like to think of themselves as Dora the Explorers of language, with their rucksacks and hats and notebooks and magnifying glasses, embarking on a cultural adventure, hunting and gathering useful new word specimens from far flung continents, and holding them up to see what new light they shine on old ideas.

Author

Maggie Rowe and Emily Garces

Category

Education

Podcast website

www.50wordsforsnow.com

Latest episode

Jul 9, 2026

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Episodes

Ep 35 Words from Swedish Language: Fika 24.07.2025

Maggie and Emily learn the Swedish word fika from Tomas Walch and explore the word petrichor with Susan Sechrist. Poem by Maggie: fika

Ep 34 Words From Swedish Language: Vemod 17.07.2025

Maggie and Emily learn the Swedish word vemod from Tomas Walch, coin the word "crookie," and put the word "manifestation" on trial with Judge Matthew Laura Aitkin. Poem by Emily: Vemod

Ep 32 Words From Irish Language: plámás 10.07.2025

Maggie and Emily learn the Irish word plámás from Leonie McDonagh and coin the term "folly space" with Susan Sechrist. Poem by Maggie: plámás.

Ep 31 Words From Irish Language: Slán abhaile 03.07.2025

Maggie and Emily learn the word slán abhaile  from Hiberno-English speaker Jimmy Doyle. Pop quiiz with Eric Giancoli. Poem by Emily: Slán abhaile.

Ep 30 Words From Irish Language: Craic 26.06.2025

Maggie and Emily are back for season two with new episodes. They discuss meeting for the first time in Belfast  in the flesh  and learn the Irish word craic from Leonie McDonagh. Poem by Maggie: Craic.

Rerun of Ep 10 Words From Ancient Greek Language Plus Scarpetta Word in Action 19.06.2025

Rerun of Episode 10 Ancient Greek Anchors plus word in action "scarpetta" with Susan Levinson.

Rerun of Ep 9 Words From Hawaiian Language: Plus Wildflower Poem 12.06.2025

Rerun of episode 9 Hawaiian Harmony plus a poem for the wildflower downingia by Norm Milstein.

Rerun of Ep 8 Words From Yiddish Language Plus Bonus: German Poet in Amsterdam 05.06.2025

Rerun of episode eight Yiddish Yums plus poetry from Philipp de Vries.

Rerun of Ep 7 Words From Spanish Language plus bonus Swedish poetry 29.05.2025

Rerun of episode 7 Spanish Specials plus poetry by Swedish poet Tomas Walch.

Rerun of Ep 6 Words From Chinese Language plus bonus Danish poetry 22.05.2025

Rerun of Episode Six Chinese Charms plus bonus: two poems by Danish Ulrick Dam.

Rerun of Ep 5 Words From Hindi Language Plus Theme Music by Jake Labotz 15.05.2025

Rerun of Episode Five: Hindi Horizons Plus Jake Labotz sings the theme song for 50 Words For Snow: Love Advice From Grandma, one of Maggie's favorite songs ever.

Rerun of Ep 4 Words From Bengali Language plus Guest Music 08.05.2025

Rerun on Episode Four Bengali Bounty plus "guest music" - the song City Girl with Amy Correia and Kimon Kirk.

Rerun of Ep 3 Words From German Language plus Words on the Brink music 01.05.2025

Rerun of Episode Three German Gems plus Words on the Brink song "Rock Tree River" with Amy Correia and Kimon Kirk.

Rerun of Ep 2 Words From Japanese Language plus Words on Trial Music 24.04.2025

Rerun of Episode Two Japanese Jewels plus Words On Trial song "You Go Your Way" with Amy Correia and Kimon Kirk.

Rerun of Ep 1 - Words From Dutch Language Plus Italian Swear Words 17.04.2025

Rerun of episode one Dutch Delights. Bonus: Italian actress Laura James shares how to swear in Italian.

Ep. 29 The Scarpetta Episode 10.04.2025

The final episode of season one. Maggie and Emily scoop up the last bits of interviews (like a scarpetta – a piece of bread used to mop up last bits of sauce) and review their favorite word specimens found on their expedition

Ep 28 Words From Scottish Language: Haar and Coorie 03.04.2025

Maggie and Emily learn the Scottish words haar and coorie from Scotland native Lynsay Mackay. They discuss with Steve O'Donnell a word he has coined: Arbeitstraumschreck . Word in Action "hurkle durkle" with Eric Giancoli and poem by Maggie: Hurkle Durkle; For Those Who Stay in Bed.

Ep 27 Fifty Shades of Snow: The Pain Episode 29.03.2025

Maggie and Emily talk with author Leigh Cowart about the terms nociception and hyperalgesia. They discuss embarrassing sounds with actress Naomi Grossman and learn the term vinted coined by Bonnie Harvey and Michael Houlihan. Poem by Emily: Oi Void.

Ep 26 Words From Language of Poker: On Tilt and Pot Committed 20.03.2025

Maggie and Emily learn the poker terms “pot committed” and “on tilt” from TV writer producer poker champion Matt Salsberg. They talk with philosopher Pete Rollins about freedom from the pursuit of happiness. Poem by Maggie: On Tilt.

Ep 25 Words From Japanese Language: Ikigai and Okagesama 13.03.2025

Maggie and Emily learn the Japanese words ikigai and okagesama from native speakers Masami Covey and Yujiro Seki. Word in action “apisoir” with Eric Giancoli and poem by Emily: Ikigai.

Ep 24 Bird Brilliance: Zugunruhe and Murmuration 06.03.2025

Maggie and Emily learn about murmurations and zugunruhe from Ballona Wetlands tour guide Susan Levinson. Isi the Scribe discuss (and shares a poem) about animal collective nouns. Poem by Maggie: Zugunruhe.

Ep 23: Wine Wisdom: Terroir and Noble Rot (Botrytis) 27.02.2025

Maggie and Emily learn the words from “terroir” and “noble rot” from wine educator  Nora Murphy. They discover “apisoir” with Michael Alberty and “aha-mnesty” with C. Brian Smith. Poem by Emily:  Terroir.

Ep. 22 Buddhist Blessings: Dukkha and Mudita 20.02.2025

Maggie and Emily discuss the Buddhist words dukkha and mudita with Zen priest Senshin and put the word “karma” on trial with judge Matthew Laura Aitken. Poem by Maggie: Not To My Liking.

Ep 21: Valentines: Words For Love Around The World 13.02.2025

Maggie and Emily talk to guests from around the world about love and learn how people say “I love you” across the globe. Poem by Emily: galaxies.

Ep 20 Words From the Armenian Language: Mousmous and Qti Maz 06.02.2025

Maggie and Emily learn the Armenian words  qti maz  and  mousmous  from Gagik Hakobyan and John Ekezian. They discuss the term  brickianity  with Rob Bell and see the word  kalsarikänni   in action with Eric Giancoli. Poem by Maggie: Tapping Out.

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