Ridiculous History – CLASSIC: Idiomatic for the People, Part I

Date: December 6, 2025
Hosts: Ben Bowlin, Noel Brown
Guest: Rowan Newby

Episode Overview

This “Idiomatic for the People” episode features hosts Ben and Noel joined by their friend, podcaster, and musician Rowan Newby. Together, they dive deep into the origins, meanings, and quirks of some of the English language’s most peculiar idioms and figures of speech. Each participant brings idioms to the table, discussing their etymology, how their meanings have shifted over time, and reflecting on the sometimes-surprising (and occasionally grisly) histories behind the phrases we use every day. Along the way, the group blends humor, personal anecdotes, and classic friendship banter.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Introduction and Format

• The trio embarks on a “ridiculous” exploration of idioms, both familiar and obscure.
• The recurring theme: Everyday expressions often have unexpected, even bizarre origins.
• Rowan Newby is introduced as a Renaissance man: accomplished musician, producer, and host of the podcast “Pitches,” where guests pitch “horrible” ideas.

  “Sometimes it’s almost scary when we stumble upon a good idea because we don’t know what to do...” — Rowan Newby (07:13)

2. Idiom #1: “Butter Someone Up”

Presenter: Ben

• Definition: To flatter someone, usually in hopes of a favor.
• Possible Origins:
  • Ancient India – worshippers would throw balls of clarified butter (ghee) at gods’ statues seeking favor (11:10).
  • Tibet – crafting butter sculptures for New Year’s, symbolizing wishes for happiness and peace (12:16).
• Modern Meaning: Flattery with an implied expectation (13:15).
• Interesting Note: Butter was historically a highly prized commodity, lending weight to the idiom’s development.
• Discussion: The group riffs on its manipulative connotations.

  “I take buttering someone up as definitely wanting something in return, as manipulative.” — Rowan (15:05)

• Notable Banter: Digression into the phrase “blowing smoke up someone’s backside” and Kellogg’s tobacco smoke enemas (15:28).

3. Idiom #2: “Nip It in the Bud”

Presenter: Rowan

• Definition: To stop something at an early stage.
• Origin:
  • Horticultural metaphor — removing the bud prevents growth.
  • First literary use: “Nip it in the bloom” (Henry Chettle, 1595) (19:18).
• Common Mistake: Many say “nip it in the butt,” which is incorrect (20:01).

  “What would nip it in the butt mean?” — Ben (20:10)

• Discussion: The idiom is often used southern-style; references to the Andy Griffith Show and Barney Fife.
• Fun Moment: Group debates the nuances between stopping growth and eliminating a problem (“nip it in the bud” versus “nip it in the butt”).
• Meta-Commentary: The show’s tradition of dad jokes draws both criticism and praise from listeners (16:13, 16:48).

4. Idiom #3: “Basket Case”

Presenter: Noel

• Definition: Refers to someone deeply stressed, disorganized, or having a breakdown.
• Origin: WWI-era term, for a quadruple amputee soldier who would have to be carried in a basket (30:43).
• Historical Note: The U.S. Surgeon General denied such cases ever existed, but a Canadian soldier with quadruple amputations did live a productive life (32:09).
• Evolution:
  • Originally about severe physical disability, shifted to psychological breakdowns, and now often applies to things (nations, companies) more than people (35:03).
• Reflections: Use of the idiom is increasingly discouraged as it can be seen as insensitive.

  “It's a pejorative… it’s just lazy writing and it should not be used…” — David Marsh, The Guardian (35:18)

5. Related War Idioms

• Boondocks: From Tagalog (“bundok”), meaning mountain. Now used for “the middle of nowhere” (36:00).
• Pipsqueak: Derived from a small German trench gun from WWI (36:19).
• Trench Coat: Created for, and named after, trench warfare (36:41).
• Fleabag: Slang for a dirty sleeping bag, now used as “fleabag hotel” (36:48).
• Fun Reflection: Terrible living conditions in war led to some colorful linguistic inventions (37:10).

6. Idiom #4: “Let the Cat Out of the Bag"

Presenter: Ben

• Definition: Reveal a secret or spoil a surprise.
• Possible Origins:
  1. Open-air British markets: Con artists swapped piglets with cats in bags (pigs in a poke); doubts remain due to size and sound differences (44:49).
  2. Spanish phrase: “Dar gato por liebre” (give a cat for a hare), tricking customers (47:01).
  3. Naval punishment: Cat o’ nine tails whip kept in a red bag (47:12).
• Related Idiom: “Pig in a poke”—buying without inspection (44:49–45:39).
• Discussion: Irreversible actions, similar to “Pandora’s box/jar” (50:28).

7. Idiom #5: “Like the Cut of Your Jib”

Presenter: Rowan

• Definition: To like someone’s style or demeanor.
• Origin:
  • Maritime term: The jib is a triangular sail; ships’ “jib” shapes indicated their national origins or character (53:58).
  • Possible association: The jib sail’s shape resembles a nose—might have transferred to facial features (54:40).
• “Jib” to “nose” wordplay leads to much joking (“Keep your jib clean…” 55:56).
• Spin-off: “Brown-nosing”—detailed tangent about its obvious, literal grossness (56:24).

8. Idiom #6: “Three Sheets to the Wind”

Presenter: Noel

• Definition: Extremely drunk or inebriated.
• Origin:
  • Nautical: A “sheet” is the line securing a sail, not the sail itself (63:16).
  • If “sheets” are loose/to the wind, the ship can’t be steered and staggers—just like a drunk person (65:10).
  • Degrees of drunkenness: “One sheet” (tipsy), “three sheets” (fall-down drunk), used in literature (66:41).
  • Cited in: Pierce Egan’s “Real Life in London” (1891), Catherine Ward’s “The Fisher’s Daughter” (68:37), and referenced by Robert Louis Stevenson in “Treasure Island” (69:48).
• Notable Moment: Casey, the show’s fact-checking super-producer, is genuinely surprised by this one (71:09).

Notable Quotes & Banter

• “Don’t look a gift podcaster in the mouth.” — Ben (05:34)
• “We have been accused of absolute dependence on dad jokes. So it’s totally, totally part of ours.” — Rowan (16:13)
• “I always just read [buttering someone up] as… inherently disingenuous.” — Rowan (15:05)
• “Who needs a case for a basket? It’s like having a bag for a bag.” — Noel (30:01)
• “Cat’s out of the bag… was the OG spoiler alert.” — Rowan (51:20)
• “Nip it in the butt aside… I think I’m learning a lot.” — Ben (22:53)
• “We are nothing if not fans of tradition.” — Noel (17:18)

Key Segments & Timestamps

• [05:16] – Opening riff on podcast-themed idioms and intros.
• [06:33] – Introduction of guest Rowan Newby.
• [10:10] – First idiom: “Butter Someone Up” origin discussed.
• [17:24] – “Nip It in the Bud” exploration and “nip it in the butt” jokes.
• [29:06] – “Basket Case” origin and evolution.
• [36:00] – Related idioms from war: boondocks, pipsqueak, trench coat, fleabag.
• [42:02] – “Let the Cat Out of the Bag”: exploring folk explanations and debunkings.
• [53:42] – “Like the Cut of Your Jib”: from sail to personal style; “jib” and “nose.”
• [63:16] – “Three Sheets to the Wind”: nautical roots and linguistic journey.
• [71:09] – Casey “the super-producer” is finally stumped.

Memorable Moments

• Puns and Dad Jokes: The hosts’ compulsive dad jokes are repeatedly brought up, maligned, and ultimately championed.
• Rowan’s Recurring Dream: Ben confesses a childhood dream about being publicly hated by the Dave Matthews Band’s violinist—a running joke that highlights the personal nature of the show (24:18).
• Listener/Fan Interactions: References to listener feedback, particularly on their humor and pun “runs” (16:48).

Conclusion & Call to Listeners

The episode wraps with thanks to Rowan and a call for listeners to send in their own favorite idioms and mysteries for possible research. The group concludes by brainstorming other titles for the idiom segment (“Idiots on Idioms,” “Idiomocracy”), expressing hope to revisit the theme.

“Let us know what phrase always sounded very strange to you or the origin story of something…” — Ben (73:58)

Episode Flow & Tone

• Language: Light-hearted, self-deprecating, and playfully nerdy. Banter is rapid and often digressive, but circles back to the idiom at hand.
• Vibe: Think a witty, nerdy gathering of longtime friends who love history, wordplay, and sharing odd facts—plus a healthy dose of dad jokes.

Summary prepared for those seeking a thorough, timestamped walkthrough of episode content and highlights—with all the wordplay and warmth Ridiculous History brings to podcasting’s weird side.