The Why of Words

#50: Champagne — A French Region With a Legal Moat Around Its Name

Explore how champagne became more than just a sparkling wine—it's a place that owns a word. Discover the surprising etymology behind this iconic drink, tracing it back to the Latin 'campania' meaning 'open countryside,' and learn why only champagne from that French region can legally claim the name. --- More from Sticky Note Podcasts: Deep in the Stacks (daily jazz vinyl) | Required Drinking [https://requireddrinking.com] (cocktail history) | Photography Knowledge (daily photo tips) stickynotepodcasts.com [https://stickynotepodcasts.com]

#49: Denim — French Aristocrat Fabric That Became Working Class Gold

Explore how denim evolved from humble workwear into a global fashion staple. This episode reveals the surprising French origins of the word—derived from "serge de Nîmes," a twill fabric from the southern French city of Nîmes—and traces how a fabric for poor laborers became more expensive than silk. --- More from Sticky Note Podcasts: Deep in the Stacks (daily jazz vinyl) | Required Drinking [https://requireddrinking.com] (cocktail history) | Photography Knowledge (daily photo tips) stickynotepodcasts.com [https://stickynotepodcasts.com]

#48: Bourbon — A Celtic God, French Kings, and a Kentucky County

Bourbon whiskey isn't named after itself—it's named after Bourbon County, Kentucky, which was named after a French royal family. Most Americans assume it comes from Bourbon Street in New Orleans, but the true origin story involves a surprising connection to European royalty that few people know about. --- More from Sticky Note Podcasts: Deep in the Stacks (daily jazz vinyl) | Required Drinking [https://requireddrinking.com] (cocktail history) | Photography Knowledge (daily photo tips) stickynotepodcasts.com [https://stickynotepodcasts.com]

#47: Serendipity — Invented From a Persian Fairy Tale About a Forgotten Island

Discover how the word 'serendipity' originated from a Persian fairy tale when English author Horace Walpole invented it in 1754. While most people use it to mean lucky accidents, the real origin story is far more fascinating and literary than we realize. --- More from Sticky Note Podcasts: Deep in the Stacks (daily jazz vinyl) | Required Drinking [https://requireddrinking.com] (cocktail history) | Photography Knowledge (daily photo tips) stickynotepodcasts.com [https://stickynotepodcasts.com]

#46: Maverick — A Texas Rancher Who Refused to Brand His Cattle

Discover the surprising true origin of 'maverick'—a word most people think means independent spirit, but actually comes from Samuel Maverick, a 1840s Texas lawyer who famously refused to brand his cattle, making his name synonymous with nonconformity. --- More from Sticky Note Podcasts: Deep in the Stacks (daily jazz vinyl) | Required Drinking [https://requireddrinking.com] (cocktail history) | Photography Knowledge (daily photo tips) stickynotepodcasts.com [https://stickynotepodcasts.com]