Detailed Summary of Merriam-Webster's "Word of the Day" Podcast Episode: "Herculean"

Release Date: June 2, 2025
Host: Peter Sokolowski

Introduction

On June 2, 2025, Merriam-Webster's "Word of the Day" podcast featured the adjective "Herculean". Hosted by Peter Sokolowski, the episode delved into the definition, usage, and historical background of the word, providing listeners with a comprehensive understanding of its significance and applications.

Definition of "Herculean"

Peter Sokolowski began the episode by introducing "Herculean" as an adjective characterized by extraordinary power, extent, intensity, or difficulty. Emphasizing its roots, he noted that while the word is often uncapitalized in contemporary usage, it originates from the name of the legendary hero Hercules.

Notable Quote:

[00:41] Peter Sokolowski: "Herculean is an adjective, something described as Herculean... is characterized by extraordinary power, extent, intensity or difficulty."

Usage Example

To illustrate the practical application of "Herculean," Peter referenced a sentence from a piece by Mirin Fader in The Ringer. The example highlighted Ashton Jeunty's remarkable strength, portraying it as more than just "strong" but truly "Herculean."

Notable Quote:

[00:41] Peter Sokolowski: "Strong doesn't even properly describe Ashton Jeunty's Herculean... Before his sophomore year in college, he squatted 575 pounds. Coach James Montgomery thought that Jeunty had maxed out. He was wrong. Now Jeunty easily squats 605 pounds like a hot knife through butter, Montgomery says."

Etymology and Historical Context

Peter provided an engaging exploration of the word's origins, tracing "Herculean" back to the Greek hero Hercules—known for his superhuman strength and the Twelve Labors he performed. These labors, ranging from slaying the multi-headed Hydra to retrieving the fearsome Cerberus from the underworld, exemplify tasks of immense difficulty and required extraordinary effort.

Notable Quote:

[00:41] Peter Sokolowski: "The hero Hercules, son of the God Zeus by a human mother, was famous for his superhuman strength. To pacify the wrath of the God Apollo, he was forced to perform 12 enormously difficult tasks or labors. These ranged from descending into the underworld to bring back the terrifying dog that guarded its entrance to destroying the many-headed monster called the Hydra."

Evolution of Meaning

The term "Herculean" began to be used in the 16th century to describe any task or job that is extremely difficult or demands enormous strength, drawing a direct line from Hercules' legendary feats to everyday language. This evolution underscores the lasting impact of mythology on modern vocabulary.

Notable Quote:

[00:41] Peter Sokolowski: "The feats he accomplished explain how the word herculean in the 16th century came to be used for any job or task that's extremely difficult or calls for enormous strength."

Conclusion

Peter Sokolowski concluded the episode by reinforcing the importance of incorporating "Herculean" into one's vocabulary to accurately describe formidable challenges or exceptional prowess. He encouraged listeners to appreciate the depth and history behind the word, enhancing their linguistic repertoire.

Notable Quote:

[02:05] Peter Sokolowski: "With your word of the day, I'm Peter Sokolowski."

Additional Information

Listeners were directed to visit Merriam-Webster's website for more definitions, wordplay, and trending word lookups, ensuring continuous engagement beyond the podcast episode.

Note: Advertisements from T-Mobile and Merriam-Webster were present in the transcript but have been omitted from this summary in accordance with the provided instructions.