Ridiculous History: The Ridiculous Origin of the Modern Calendar
Released on August 5, 2025
Hosts: Ben Bullen and Noel Brown
Produced by Max Williams
iHeartPodcasts

Introduction

In the episode titled "The Ridiculous Origin of the Modern Calendar," hosts Ben Bullen and Noel Brown embark on an engaging exploration of the history and evolution of the calendar system that governs our daily lives. Recorded on July 31, the episode delves into the arbitrary constructs of time measurement, the sociopolitical influences shaping calendars, and the eventual global adoption of the Gregorian calendar. Their discussion is peppered with humor, insightful anecdotes, and occasional banter, making complex historical concepts accessible and entertaining for listeners.

The Arbitrary Nature of Time Constructs

00:44 - 03:02
Ben Bullen opens the conversation by highlighting the arbitrary nature of commonly accepted constructs like days of the week and money. He remarks, "We have to agree on some things, even if we all know they are arbitrary things" (00:58), emphasizing the societal need for standardized timekeeping to facilitate coordination and continuity in daily affairs.

Noel Brown adds, "It's a functional one though, because I think we all do agree or accept the need to have some kind of continuity in terms of measuring time" (02:24), underscoring the practicality of calendars despite their imperfections.

Origins and Evolution of the Calendar

06:29 - 14:21

The hosts trace the calendar's origins back to ancient civilizations, starting with the Egyptians who developed one of the first practical calendars. They explain how the Romans adapted the Egyptian system into the Julian calendar, which remained prevalent in Western Europe for approximately 1,500 years. Ben states, "The calendar is an approximation for human convenience. I think that's the best way to put it" (02:24), highlighting the necessity yet imperfection of early calendar systems.

Noel Brown adds context by discussing various cultural interpretations of the day’s start, such as dawn, sunset, or noon, before arriving at the Roman decision to count days from midnight, a system that has persisted into modern times.

Days of the Week: From Mythology to Modernity

20:18 - 25:01

A significant portion of the episode is dedicated to explaining the origins of the seven-day week. The hosts delve into the etymology of each day, linking them to ancient gods and celestial bodies:

• Sunday: Derived from Old English sonnenday meaning "sun's day."
• Monday: From Old English monondag, meaning "moon’s day."
• Tuesday: Named after the Norse god Tyr, aligning with the Roman dies Martis (day of Mars).
• Wednesday: Derived from Woden’s day, relating to Odin in Norse mythology.
• Thursday: Named after Thor, the Norse god of thunder.
• Friday: From Frigg’s day, connected to the goddess associated with Venus.
• Saturday: Directly from the Roman god Saturn, dies Saturni.

Ben humorously connects these origins to modern pop culture, stating, "Who are we to say about this wildly popular game? If it sticks around long enough, we can do an episode of ridiculous history about it" (17:37) in reference to the game Fortnite.

Noel comments on the Universal acceptance due to political and religious influences, noting, "the one that gets agreed upon most widely. So not necessarily the most accurate, but it is kind of the one that most folks landed on" (07:46).

The Julian Calendar and Its Flaws

34:13 - 39:22

The episode transitions to the Julian calendar's implementation by Julius Caesar in 45 BCE. Ben explains, "The Romans gave the third, fifth, seventh, and 10th months, 31 days each. And this is where we get that strange, complicated system" (34:13), highlighting the inconsistencies that plagued the Julian system.

Noel Brown discusses the manipulation of the calendar for political gain: "They realized that because the priest had such political power, they could fiddle with the calendar to lengthen or shorten the term of office of the consuls" (35:40), illustrating how calendars were weaponized in Roman politics.

By the 8th century, significant drift had occurred between the Julian calendar and the solar year, leading to calls for reform. Noel remarks, "Something must be done" (39:22), setting the stage for the introduction of the Gregorian calendar.

Gregorian Calendar: Refinement and Global Adoption

40:06 - 44:53

Ben and Noel discuss Pope Gregory XIII's pivotal role in reforming the calendar to address the drift issue. The Gregorian calendar introduced a more accurate system of leap years: "Only in years divisible by 100 and not by 400" (42:06). This adjustment reduced the average year length closer to the solar year, preventing future discrepancies.

The hosts explore the resistance to adopting the Gregorian calendar, particularly from Protestant nations wary of Catholic influence. Ben humorously compares potential political manipulation of the calendar to gerrymandering: "What if your favorite or least favorite political party in the country could tell the public how long a year is?" (36:14). They acknowledge the eventual global acceptance, although noting that some regions adopted it centuries later, with Greece being the last European country to switch in 1923.

Noel reflects on the dual usage of calendars in various cultures: "right now, many countries, many belief systems, the people there will have two different calendars... But to do business globally and to speak with outsiders, you have the Gregorian calendar" (44:02).

Modern Implications and Conclusion

46:13 - 49:49

As the conversation wraps up, Ben and Noel reflect on how the Gregorian calendar has become the global standard despite its convoluted history. They tease future episodes exploring alternative calendars, underscoring their fascination with the topic. Noel shares a personal anecdote about meticulously scheduling his activities, emphasizing the calendar's role in modern organization: "It's just kind of a way to set intentions. I'm just putting that out there. Something that I dig" (32:14).

The episode concludes with acknowledgments to their producer Max Williams and various contributors, maintaining the show's trademark humor and camaraderie. Ben optimistically remarks, "So this is how we got to where we are now. This is also a tease about the alternate non Greg's calendars out there. And that's going to be our next episode" (46:16).

Notable Quotes

• Ben Bullen (00:58): "We have to agree on some things, even if we all know they are arbitrary things."

• Noel Brown (02:24): "It's a functional one though, because I think we all do agree or accept the need to have some kind of continuity in terms of measuring time."

• Ben Bullen (34:13): "The Romans gave the third, fifth, seventh, and 10th months, 31 days each. And this is where we get that strange, complicated system."

• Noel Brown (35:40): "They realized that because the priest had such political power, they could fiddle with the calendar to lengthen or shorten the term of office of the consuls."

• Ben Bullen (36:14): "What if your favorite or least favorite political party in the country could tell the public how long a year is?"

Conclusion

"The Ridiculous Origin of the Modern Calendar" offers a comprehensive and entertaining examination of how our current calendar system came to be. Through a blend of historical facts, witty commentary, and relatable analogies, Ben Bullen and Noel Brown illuminate the complexities and absurdities inherent in something as seemingly straightforward as our calendar. This episode not only educates listeners about the calendar's evolution but also invites them to ponder the arbitrary yet essential systems that underpin modern society.

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