**Podcast Summary: "Surprising Backstories of Everyday Expressions & The Benefits of Connecting With Your Future Self"
Title: Something You Should Know
Host: Mike Carruthers | OmniCast Media
Release Date: June 21, 2025

Introduction

In this captivating episode of Something You Should Know, host Mike Carruthers delves into two intriguing topics: the unexpected origins of common English expressions and the psychological benefits of connecting with one's future self. By interviewing experts Erin McCarthy and Hal Hirschfeld, the episode offers listeners a blend of linguistic curiosity and insightful psychology.

Segment 1: Surprising Backstories of Everyday Expressions

Guest: Erin McCarthy, Vice President and Editor-in-Chief at MentalFloss.com
Book Mentioned: Mental Floss, the Curious Compendium of Wonderful Words

Origins of Common Phrases

• "Close but no cigar" [06:58]:
  Erin explains that this phrase originated from early 20th-century carnival games where cigars were given as prizes. If a player nearly won but fell short, the attendant would remark, "close but no cigar," cementing the phrase into everyday language.

• "Blockbuster" [09:38]:
  Initially referred to powerful bombs in World War II capable of destroying entire city blocks. Over time, Hollywood adopted the term to describe highly successful movies, transforming its meaning from a destructive force to a symbol of massive success.

• "Cut to the chase" [20:44]:
  Derived from silent film terminology, where directors would cut directly to chase scenes—action-packed sequences—to maintain momentum in storytelling. The phrase evolved to mean getting straight to the point in conversation.

• "Scapegoat" [21:29]:
  Coined by William Tyndale in 1530 during his translation of the Torah, referring to the ritual where a goat symbolically carried the sins of the people and was then sacrificed.

• "Placebo" [23:57]:
  Originates from Latin, meaning "I will please." Initially used in Catholic prayers, its meaning shifted over centuries to describe substances with no therapeutic effect used in medical trials to satisfy patients.

• "Made from scratch" [25:00]:
  Stems from sports terminology where "scratch" refers to the starting line. The phrase transitioned to culinary contexts, implying that something was made from the very beginning without pre-made components.

Disliked and Evocative Words

• "Moist" [10:31]:
  Despite its common usage in phrases like "moist cake," many people find the word unpleasant due to its association with bodily fluids and its phonetic composition. Erin notes that context plays a role; "moist" in a positive setting is more tolerable than in sexual contexts.

• "Panties" [11:21]:
  The term is disliked because it carries both sexual and juvenile connotations, making it uncomfortable for many to use in casual conversation.

• Overused Words:
  Words like "amazing" have become tiresome due to excessive use, diluting their impact.

Alternative Terms and Slang

Erin suggests substituting disliked words with more appealing alternatives:

• Instead of "blog," use "website."
• For "parties," consider terms like "tizzy" or "wizzy," which offer a nostalgic flair.

She also shares favorite old-fashioned slang terms that bring color and uniqueness to language:

• "Got the morbs" [13:45]: A 19th-century term for temporary melancholy.
• "Besmoldered" [13:45]: Originating from Chaucer, meaning something speckled with mud.
• "Slugabed" [14:00]: A playful insult for someone who stays in bed late.

Notable Quotes

• Erin McCarthy [06:58]: “Back in the day before amusement parks were giving out stuffed animals, they were giving out cigars as prizes for winning games.”
• Erin McCarthy [10:31]: “Moist is an infamously hated word because of its association with bodily fluids and the way it sounds.”

Segment 2: The Benefits of Connecting With Your Future Self

Guest: Hal Hirschfeld, Professor of Marketing, Behavioral Decision Making and Psychology at UCLA's Anderson School of Management
Book Mentioned: Your Future: How to Make Tomorrow Better Today

Perception of the Future Self

Hal Hirschfeld's research reveals that people often perceive their future selves as distinct individuals, similar to strangers. This psychological separation leads to challenges in planning and decision-making for long-term benefits, such as saving for retirement or maintaining health.

Impact on Decision Making

• Delayed Gratification:
  Viewing the future self as "another person" diminishes the motivation to make sacrifices now for future gains.

• Regret and Reflection [42:23]:
  As people age, they tend to regret the things they didn't do more than the things they did, highlighting the importance of proactive planning.

Strategies to Connect with the Future Self

1. Visualization Techniques [38:52]:

   • Age Progression Technology:
     Showing individuals images of their future selves to create a more vivid and relatable future identity.
   • Letter Writing:
     Encouraging individuals to write letters to their future selves or receive letters from them to foster a deeper connection.

2. Interventions and Outcomes [40:40]:

   • In studies where participants visualized their future selves, there was a significant increase in positive behaviors, such as saving for retirement or improving health practices.

Cultural and Evolutionary Considerations

• Cultural Differences [43:54]:
  Although the perception of the future self as another person appears to be a universal human trait, cultural factors like social safety nets and societal norms can influence how individuals plan for the future.

• Evolutionary Perspective [44:09]:
  Humans are not inherently equipped to manage long-term planning beyond a certain timeframe, an issue exacerbated by modern life expectancy far exceeding evolutionary milestones.

Overcoming Psychological Barriers

• Healthy Psychological Immune System [48:57]:
  People often adapt quickly to both positive and negative changes, which can affect their motivation to plan for the future.

• Economic Pressures [46:37]:
  Financial constraints and the allure of immediate gratification often hinder long-term planning efforts.

Notable Quotes

• Hal Hirschfeld [02:32]: “All this today on something you should know... It’s very hard to plan for your future self.”
• Hal Hirschfeld [33:18]: “We do have many chance encounters in our lives that we can't fully plan for... but what we can plan for is to be open to the possibility that different meetings and connections will lead to something.”

Conclusion

This episode of Something You Should Know masterfully intertwines the fascinating histories behind everyday expressions with the profound psychological insights into how we relate to our future selves. Erin McCarthy's exploration of language evolution and disliked words provides listeners with a deeper appreciation for the nuances of English. Concurrently, Hal Hirschfeld's research underscores the importance of viewing our future selves as connected individuals to enhance decision-making and life satisfaction. Together, these discussions empower listeners with knowledge to better understand language and to foster meaningful connections with themselves across time.

Additional Resources

• Erin McCarthy's Book: Mental Floss, the Curious Compendium of Wonderful Words – Available through show notes.
• Hal Hirschfeld's Book: Your Future: How to Make Tomorrow Better Today – Available on Amazon via show notes.