Spencer Parks

The Dictionary

I read the English Dictionary in short sections, comment on it, make bad jokes, and sometimes sing little songs. I hope it’s more entertaining than just reading the dictionary alone. It’s an evolving project so the letter ”A” had lower quality, plus less commenting and jokes.

Author

Spencer Parks

Category

Education

Podcast website

rss.com

Latest episode

Jul 10, 2026

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Episodes

#E19 (economical to ecotourism) ft. Ryan Chahrour 28.09.2023

I read from economical to ecotourism to my cousin Ryan Chahrour.   He's an economist and you can see what he's up to at his website chahrour.net. https://sites.google.com/view/chahrour/home   I have very smart cousins. Me...not so much.     He spoke about the fisher equation and you can get more info about it here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fisher_equation     The word of the episode is "ecoto...

#E18 (eclosion to economic) 27.09.2023

I read from eclosion to economic.     Do you think humans are committing ecocide on the planet? https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ecocide     Ecofeminism is a fascinating way to make connections between the natural world and gender.  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ecofeminism     Watch out for E. coli! https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Escherichia_coli     I love the podcast Ologies with Alie Ward and here...

#E17 (echt to eclogue) 26.09.2023

I read from echt to eclogue.     Mmmmm...eclair. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/%C3%89clair     Try to avoid eclampsia at all costs. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eclampsia     The word of the episode is "eclectic".     Theme music from Jonah Kraut https://jonahkraut.bandcamp.com/     Merchandising! https://www.teepublic.com/user/spejampar     "The Dictionary - Letter A" on YouTube   "The Dictionar...

#E16 (echiuroid to echovirus) 25.09.2023

I read from echiuroid to echovirus.     The full clip from American Pie can be watched here: https://youtu.be/rvtBb1FFUa8     Just like most of Greek Mythology, the story of Echo the Nymph is sad. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Echo_(mythology)     Get out of the echo chamber if you can! https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Echo_chamber_(media)     "echovirus" stands for "enteric cytopathic human orphan v...

#E15 (echelon to echinus) 22.09.2023

I read from echelon to echinus.     The name of echinacea comes from the word for "hedgehog" which makes sense when you see it.  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Echinacea     Try to stay away from echinococcosis. https://www.cdc.gov/parasites/echinococcosis/index.html     The word of the episode is "echidna". https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Echidna The They Might Be Giants song "Mammal" can be listene...

#E14 (eccl to echelle) 21.09.2023

I read from eccl to echelle.     Ecclesiastes and Ecclesiasticus are part of the Hebrew Bible. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ecclesiastes https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Book_of_Sirach     Wowza! Humans have between 2 and 4 million eccrine glands all over their body (about 200-400 per square cm) which means they are TINY! https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eccrine_sweat_gland     I'm still confused about...

#E13 (Ebola to ecchymosis) 20.09.2023

I read from Ebola to ecchymosis.     "ebonics" is the older term for what is now known as "African-American Vernacular English" or AAVE.  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/African-American_Vernacular_English     I guess "ebony and ivory" and Ebony Magazine are the two main uses of "ebony" I can think of in pop culture.  Ebony, the wood, is quite cool.  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ebony     The eccen...

#E12 (eat to EBITDA) 19.09.2023

I read from eat to EBITDA.   One big thing I didn’t say about “eating disorder” in today’s episode is that it also has to do with how you see your own body. I’m sure there’s a lot of other stuff I could’ve said but that’s a biggie.  Eating disorders are quite serious. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eating_disorder     You want the history of cologne? You got the history of cologne. https://www.czec...

#E11 (easy to eat) 18.09.2023

I read from easy to eat.     Looks like we don't have a ton of concrete information on the etymology of the phrase "eat your heart out" but there's some good info here, if you can get past the cheesy jokes. ;) https://www.writerscentre.com.au/blog/qa-origin-of-eat-your-heart-out/     The word of the episode is "easygoing".     Theme music from Jonah Kraut https://jonahkraut.bandcamp.com/     Merch...

#E10 (easterly to eastward) 15.09.2023

I read from easterly to eastward.     I would love to visit the East Indies someday, but we really don't call that area the "East Indies" anymore.  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/East_Indies     So yes, I was right (for once!). East Northeast it between East and Northeast. (more info in the previous episode's show notes) But it looks like I was wrong about the degree number. North is 0 degrees, Eas...

#E9 (easily to easterly) 14.09.2023

I read from easily to easterly.     So there's North (0) and East (90). Halfway between those is Northeast (45). Halfway between Northeast and East is East-Northeast (67.5). And halfway between East and East-Northeast and East by North (78.75). https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/east_by_north     Easter is essentially a celebration of Spring and rebirth, but these days it's largely a religious celebra...

#E8 (earwax to easement) 13.09.2023

I read from earwax to easement.     Earwax is important, but if you need to clean some of it out, you must be really careful. https://www.mountsinai.org/health-library/diseases-conditions/ear-wax     The word of the episode is "easel". The etymology is from "ass" which is basically saying that the easel is like a donkey because you're adding a burden to it (the canvas).  https://www.etymonline.com...

#E7 (earth mother to earthy) 12.09.2023

I read from earth mother to earthy.     This is what you should do during an earthquake, but you might want to read it and memorize it AHEAD of time. https://www.usgs.gov/faqs/what-should-i-do-during-earthquake     The word of the episode is "earth mother". Mother's don't get enough respect, especially the Earth Mother.  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mother_goddess https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mo...

#E6 (earring to earthly) 11.09.2023

I read from earring to earthly.     The "Define Earth" clip is from WALL-E. https://youtu.be/59M-t6Js6Q8     The They Might be Giants song is called "How Many Planets?". https://youtu.be/XI5nBUidKqo     Find where The Goblin King Players are coming next! https://www.goblinkingplayers.com/     The word of the episode is "earthling".     Theme music from Tom Maslowski https://zestysol.com/     Merch...

#E5 (earlywood to earplug) 08.09.2023

I read from earlywood to earplug.     Here's some info on why scientists tag animals but also if it's affecting them. https://hakaimagazine.com/news/are-scientific-tracking-tags-hurting-wild-animals/     The word of the episode is "earn".     Theme music from Jonah Kraut https://jonahkraut.bandcamp.com/     Merchandising! https://www.teepublic.com/user/spejampar     "The Dictionary - Letter A" on...

#E4 (earbud to early on) 07.09.2023

I read from earbud to early on.     The word of the episode is "eardrum". https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eardrum     Theme music from Tom Maslowski https://zestysol.com/     Merchandising! https://www.teepublic.com/user/spejampar     "The Dictionary - Letter A" on YouTube   "The Dictionary - Letter B" on YouTube   "The Dictionary - Letter C" on YouTube   "The Dictionary - Letter D" on YouTube     F...

#E3 (ear to earache) ft. Jon ”Bermuda” Schwartz 06.09.2023

I read from ear to earache with Jon "Bermuda" Schwartz, drummer extraordinaire, specifically for "Weird Al" Yankovic.  Check out all of his things here: https://www.bermudaschwartz.com/     Information about "all ears", specifically the first recorded usage of it. https://writingexplained.org/idiom-dictionary/all-ears     The word of the episode is "earache". The audio sketch from Cheech and Chong...

#E2 (eagle to E and OE) 05.09.2023

I read from eagle to E and OE. See below, I screwed up the final word!!!      Eagles! https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eagle     Eagles on money! https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eagle_(United_States_coin)     The Eames chair looks comfy. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eames_Lounge_Chair     "Errors and Omissions excepted" could be another name for this podcast because I said "expected" instead of "excep...

BB Butters Promo for the show you’re already listening to 30.08.2023

Not an episode!  Just BB Butters telling you to listen to this podcast in the feed for the very same podcast.      Merchandising! https://www.teepublic.com/user/spejampar     "The Dictionary - Letter A" on YouTube   "The Dictionary - Letter B" on YouTube   "The Dictionary - Letter C" on YouTube   "The Dictionary - Letter D" on YouTube     Featured in a Top 10 Dictionary Podcasts list! https://blog...

(NOT ”The Dictionary”) Watching and Talking about ”Gaslight” (1944) 13.08.2023

  Bonus episode for you!  This is audio-only but you can see the video version of this here: https://youtu.be/LdnnDFmyokw     It's like we made our own commentary! Queue up "Gaslight" from 1944 and watch this video at the same time. We discuss a variety of topics during the commentary, including a few jabs since it IS 80 years old. But it’s a beautiful black and white film dealing with serious iss...

Voicemail Bonus - Aug 9, 2023 09.08.2023

Thanks to Jacob for calling in! If you called in and I never mentioned it, please call back! I probably just missed it in the weird notification system and mass of spam calls.  917-727-5757     Merchandising! https://www.teepublic.com/user/spejampar     "The Dictionary - Letter A" on YouTube   "The Dictionary - Letter B" on YouTube   "The Dictionary - Letter C" on YouTube   "The Dictionary - Lette...

#E1 (e to eager beaver) 07.08.2023

I read from e to eager beaver. I don't think I sung an actual E.   The mathematical constant "e" hurts my brain, but it's pretty important! https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/E_(mathematical_constant)   You can listen to the whole song (and watch the video) of "E Eats Everything" by They Might be Giants. https://youtu.be/IcO2qWARE_E   The word of the episode is "eager beaver".   Theme music from Jonah...

Pre-E Bonus 1 25.07.2023

Update! The E's are coming at the start of September. If you want to see my face for these episodes, become a Patron! (Yes, I've sold out. But at least you get to see the dumb faces I make!) https://www.patreon.com/spejampar     There is no word of the episode.     Merchandising! https://www.teepublic.com/user/spejampar     "The Dictionary - Letter A" on YouTube   "The Dictionary - Letter B" on Yo...

#E1 (JUST A CLIP!) 16.06.2023

To tide you over until the Letter E REALLY starts (in early August or September), here's a clip from the first episode.  But if you were a Patron on Patreon (link below), you'd be getting the entire first episode in full! There has NEVER been a better time to become a patron. ;)     Theme music from Jonah Kraut https://jonahkraut.bandcamp.com/     Merchandising! https://www.teepublic.com/user/spej...

#D310 (dyspnea to DZ) ft. Sharon 06.06.2023

I read from dyspnea to DZ with Sharon.     The word of the episode is "dz".     Theme music from Tom Maslowski https://zestysol.com/     Merchandising! https://www.teepublic.com/user/spejampar     "The Dictionary - Letter A" on YouTube   "The Dictionary - Letter B" on YouTube   "The Dictionary - Letter C" on YouTube   "The Dictionary - Letter D" on YouTube     Featured in a Top 10 Dictionary Podca...

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