Two Whats?! And A Wow! - The Name of the Game (1/24/25)

Summary

Wow in the World Podcast Summary Episode: Two Whats?! And A Wow! - The Name of the Game (January 24, 2025)

---

Introduction and Setup

In the January 24, 2025 episode of Wow in the World, hosted by Mindy Thomas and Guy Raz, listeners are treated to a delightful blend of science, humor, and interactive gameplay. The episode titled "Two Whats?! And A Wow! - The Name of the Game" features the hosts engaging with contestants in a lively scientific game show that challenges participants to distinguish between intriguing truths and fabricated facts.

Behind the Scenes: A Humorous Start

The episode kicks off with a backstage interaction that sets a lighthearted tone. Mindy Thomas humorously navigates an email mishap while trying to sign up for the Tinkercast newsletter, showcasing her playful rapport with the team.

Notable Quote:

• Mindy Thomas [00:12]: "Pretty bonker balls, huh? ... And now let's get on with the show."

Introducing the Game Show: "Two Whats?! And A Wow!"

Mindy and Guy introduce the format of their game show, where contestants must identify the true scientific "wow" among three statements related to names. Each correct guess earns a point, while incorrect answers lead to humorous physical challenges.

Notable Quote:

• Mindy Thomas [04:05]: "In each of our three rounds today, Guy Raz and I will present you with three scientific statements about names. But this is a big but. Only one of those statements will be a true wow."

Round 1: The Naming of Uranus

The first round presents contestants with three statements about the naming of Uranus. Contestants must discern the factual statement from the fictitious ones.

Statements:

• A: The sandwich got its name because early sandwiches were typically topped with sand.
• B: There is an asteroid named after Mickey Mouse.
• C: The planet Uranus was almost named George.

Outcome: Caller Paul from Washington correctly identifies C as the true wow.

Notable Quotes:

• Caller Paul [05:50]: "The planet Uranus was almost named George."
• Mindy Thomas [06:10]: "William Herschel originally named this planet Georgium Sidus, or George for short, after King George III."

Round 2: The Ford Mustang's Namesake

In the second round, contestants explore the origins behind the name of the iconic Ford Mustang.

Statements:

• A: The Ford Mustang was named after a plane, not a horse.
• B: The space between your nostrils is named Zarf.
• C: Graham Crackers were named after the inventor Alexander Graham Bell.

Outcome: Caller Zoe from New York triumphantly selects A, revealing that the Mustang is named after the P-51 fighter plane, not the horse.

Notable Quotes:

• Caller Zoe [07:43]: "The Ford Mustang is named after a plane, not after a horse."
• Mindy Thomas [08:11]: "It's named after a type of P51 fighter plane."

Round 3: The Symbol for Lead

The final round delves into the chemical nomenclature of lead, challenging contestants to identify the accurate statement.

Statements:

• A: When shampoo was invented back in the early 1900s, it got its name from one of the main ingredients, poo.
• B: On the periodic table, lead is named PB after its Latin name, plumbum.
• C: There is a ladybug species named after Lady Gaga.

Outcome: Caller Finn from Colorado correctly identifies B as the true wow, explaining the Latin origin of lead's symbol.

Notable Quotes:

• Caller Finn [11:13]: "The symbol for lead is PB after the Latin word plumbum."
• Mindy Thomas [11:43]: "PB does not stand for peanut butter. It's the symbol for lead, a very toxic element."

Bonus Round: Ice Cream – Food or Drink?

Adding an extra layer of fun, the bonus round poses the playful question of whether ice cream is classified as a food or a drink.

Outcome: Contestants humorously debate, with Mindy declaring it food and Dennis suggesting it's a drink when melted.

Scientific Challenge: Operation Rename It

In the closing segment, Mindy and Guy launch the "Operation Rename It" challenge, encouraging listeners to creatively rename their favorite planets based on research and personal inspiration.

Notable Quote:

• Guy Raz [14:02]: "We challenge you to rename your favorite planet. Do some research about your planet, and come up with a brand new name that captures its essence."

Conclusion and Credits

The episode wraps up with congratulations to the winning contestants and a reminder to participate in the scientific challenge. Mindy and Guy also extend their thanks to the production team and sponsors, ensuring listeners feel connected and appreciated.

Notable Quote:

• Mindy Thomas [16:47]: "Thanks again for listening and playing along. Meet us back here on Monday for Wow in the World."

---

Key Takeaways and Insights

• Educational Entertainment: The episode effectively blends scientific facts with engaging gameplay, making learning fun for both kids and adults.
• Interactive Learning: By involving callers and listeners, the hosts foster a community of curious minds eager to explore and share knowledge.
• Humorous Engagement: The lighthearted banter and funny challenges keep the atmosphere lively, ensuring listeners remain entertained while absorbing information.

Final Thoughts

"Two Whats?! And A Wow! - The Name of the Game" exemplifies Wow in the World's mission to inspire awe and curiosity about the world. Through clever questions and interactive segments, Mindy Thomas and Guy Raz create an immersive educational experience that leaves listeners both informed and amused.

---

Notable Quotes with Timestamps:

• Mindy Thomas [04:05]: "Only one of those statements will be a true wow."
• Caller Paul [05:50]: "The planet Uranus was almost named George."
• Caller Zoe [07:43]: "The Ford Mustang is named after a plane, not after a horse."
• Caller Finn [11:13]: "The symbol for lead is PB after the Latin word plumbum."
• Guy Raz [14:02]: "We challenge you to rename your favorite planet."

---

For More Information:

• Subscribe: New episodes release every Monday for free. Access them ad-free with Wondery+, Wondery+ Kids on Apple Podcasts, or Amazon Music with a Prime membership or Amazon Music Unlimited subscription.
• Join the Community: Visit tinkercast.comemail to sign up for the Tinkercast newsletter and receive exclusive content and activities.
• Connect: Follow Wow in the World on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter @2whatsandawow.

Transcript

[Guy Raz]

Grown Ups Wondery subscribers can listen to wow. In the world early and ad free right now. Join Wondery in the Wondery app or Wondery Kids plus on Apple Podcasts.

[Mindy Thomas]

Hey, Wowzer fams. Mindy here. And before we start the show. Oh, sorry about that. I forgot to put it on silent. Hey, wait a second. It's an email from us. Check it out, Reg. Let's see here. It says we've got episode recommendations, free steps, activities to try out at home, the latest news about what's happening at Tinkercast. Pretty bonker balls, huh? Here, I'll help you sign up. So you and the grown ups will just go to tinkercast.comemail and put in your first and last names and email address. Wait, Reggie, I just realized I don't know your last name. Really? Is that with a silent G or a silent Q? Huh, who knew? Let's see here. Oh, and you're not a robot, right? Sorry, just had to double check. Ok, you are all signed up Grown Ups. You can sign up for our Tinkercast newsletter too. It's full of ideas on how to get some extra wow to your family's life. Visit tinkercast.comemail to sign up today. That's tinkercast.comemail. that's it. And now let's get on with the show.

[Guy Raz]

Guy Raz. Guy Raz, where are you?

Dennis?

[Dennis]

Oh, Guy, there you are. Have you seen Mindy? I've been looking everywhere. Backstage, frontstage, between the couch cushions. I can't find her anywhere.

[Guy Raz]

Oh, sorry, Dennis. I haven't seen her either. Can I help you with anything?

[Dennis]

Well, I was just looking over Mindy's prop list for today, and I was confused by some of the things on here.

[Guy Raz]

Oh, that should be no problem. Problem? I speak fluent Mindy. What's on the list?

[Dennis]

Oh, well, let's see. The first one says cotton dumbbells.

[Guy Raz]

Oh, those would be Q tips.

[Dennis]

All right. What about cow juice?

[Guy Raz]

Oh, that's easy. Milk.

[Dennis]

Oh, nice. Okay, this is great. How about car shoes?

[Guy Raz]

Those would be tires.

[Dennis]

Wonderful. Thanks, Guy. I think I can understand the rest. Like this one just says Guy Raz's wallet.

[Guy Raz]

That's where it went.

[Dennis]

And then there's Guy Raz's hairbrush. Not for cloning purpose. And then the next one just says.

[Mindy Thomas]

Oh, hey, Dennis, can you add some of your floor sweaters to that prop list?

[Dennis]

Floor sweaters, Mindy? No, all my sweaters are cashmere.

[Guy Raz]

I think she means rugs, Dennis.

[Dennis]

Rugs.

[Guy Raz]

You know, like a sweater, but for.

[Dennis]

The floor oh, rugs.

[Mindy Thomas]

Yeah, exactly. That's what I just said.

[Dennis]

Well, you did and you didn't, but whatever. I'll go find some in a second. But first we have to start the show. Places everyone. Places. You there, Jelly the fish. And you, Silly, the string. And Reggie Straw, the berries. We're going live in three, two, one. And now for everyone's favorite game show.

[Guy Raz]

It'S two what's and the world with your hosts, Mindy and guy R. What's 2 what's 2 what's 2 what's two what's?

[Mindy Thomas]

Hello and welcome back to Two what's in a wow.

[Guy Raz]

Two what's in a wow.

The scientific game show that separates the wows from the what's categories for today is names. Mindy, why don't you refresh our contestants on how the game works?

[Mindy Thomas]

You know it. Wowzers. In each of our three rounds today, Guy Raz and I will present you with three scientific statements about names. But this is a big but. Only one of those statements will be a true wow. The other two, just a couple of made up whats.

[Guy Raz]

In each round, if you guess correctly, congratulations, you get a point.

[Mindy Thomas]

But if you guess incorrectly, you must stop, drop and do a redundant physical challenge.

[Guy Raz]

Okay everyone, ready to start? Great. Let's do it. Round one. Which of the following statements is a true scientific wow? Is it A, the sandwich got its name because early sandwiches were typically topped with sand.

[Mindy Thomas]

Or is it B, There is an asteroid named after Mickey Mouse.

[Guy Raz]

Or is it C? The planet Uranus was almost named George.

[Mindy Thomas]

When you think you have the answer, sing the highest note you can. Hey Reggie, cue the thinking music.

[Guy Raz]

And time is up. Lets now reveal the winning wow.

[Mindy Thomas]

And to do just that. Joining us by phone, it's Paul from Washington. Paul, tell us what's the winning wow?

[Caller]

Hello? My wow in the world is that the planet Uranus was almost named George.

[Mindy Thomas]

Winner, winner, planets for dinner.

[Guy Raz]

Thank you, Paul. Contestants, if you guessed the answer C that the planet Uranus was almost named George, you found the winning wow.

[Mindy Thomas]

Congratulations, George the planet. You heard that right? William Herschel originally named this planet Georgium Sidus, or George for short, after King George iii. But when this planet's name was changed to Uranus, this planet became the butt of everyone's jokes. Now if you did not get the answer correct, you must stop, drop and toot with your armpits.

[Guy Raz]

Okay, round two. Which of the following statements is a true scientific wow? Is it A, the Ford Mustang was named after a plane, not a horse?

[Mindy Thomas]

Or is it B, the space between your nostrils is named Zarf.

[Guy Raz]

Or is it C? Graham Crackers were named after the inventor Alexander Graham Bell.

[Mindy Thomas]

When you think you have the answer, sneeze with your eyes open.

[Guy Raz]

Mindy, isn't that impossible?

[Mindy Thomas]

No, Guy Raz, it's impossibly possible.

[Guy Raz]

I see.

[Mindy Thomas]

Thinking Music, please.

[Guy Raz]

Okay, time's up. Let's reveal the winning wow. Joining us from New York, it's Zoe.

[Mindy Thomas]

Zoe, tell us, what's the winning wow?

[Caller]

My wow in the world is that the Mustang car was actually not named after the horse. It was named after the plane. Hi, Reggie.

[Mindy Thomas]

Winner, Winner, cars for dinner.

[Guy Raz]

Thank you, Zoe. Contestants, if you guessed the answer a that the the Ford Mustang is named after a plane, not after a horse, congratulations. You picked the winning wow.

[Mindy Thomas]

Hold your horses. Wowzers. It turns out that the Ford Mustang is not named after the type of horse. It's named after a type of P51 fighter plane. Now, if you did not get the answer correct, you must stop, drop and hop to the tune of Hakuna Friggin.

[Guy Raz]

Don't you mean Hakuna Matata?

[Mindy Thomas]

Oh, that's a good song too, Guy Raz. And now for the final round, round three. Which of the following statements is a true scientific wow? Is it A? When shampoo was invented back in the early 1900s, it got its name from one of the main ingredients, poo.

[Guy Raz]

Or is it B? On the periodic table, lead is named PB after its Latin name, plumbum.

[Mindy Thomas]

Or is it C? There is a ladybug species named after Lady Gaga. When you think you have the correct answer, wiggle your ears and we'll reveal.

[Guy Raz]

The winning answer right after the break.

[Mindy Thomas]

Today's round of two whats and a wow is brought to you in part by duckling tape. When I broke the stage lights last week, I tried everything to repair them, but it was no use. That's when I tried duckling tape and it fixed everything right up. No more falling stage lights on this stage.

[Guy Raz]

Mindy. Mindy, you mean to tell me that the stage lights above us right now are held together with just some duckling tape?

[Mindy Thomas]

Oh, Guy Raz, they're not just held together with duckling tape. I also stuck some chewed gum up there to make it extra sticky.

[Guy Raz]

Well, while we do a quick safety check, why don't we hear from some more of our sponsors of today's show.

[Caller]

Two once in a while? We'll be right back. Grown ups, this message is for you. That's it. Now back to the show.

[Guy Raz]

Welcome back to 2 what's in a.

[Mindy Thomas]

Wow to what's and a wow, the scientific game show that separates the wows.

[Guy Raz]

From the what now, before the break, we discovered the lights were being held up with just duckling tape and old gum.

[Mindy Thomas]

And don't worry, as usual, I've got everything out of control. But let's get back to the game. We left you with a dangling question for round three. The question was, which of the following statements is a true wow about names?

[Guy Raz]

Now, we've given you time to decide on the correct answer and to reveal that winning wow. Please welcome by phone Finn from Colorado.

[Mindy Thomas]

Finn Telle. What's the winning wow?

[Caller]

Hi. My wow in the world is that lead symbol is pb and it is named that because the Latin word for lead is plum bum.

[Mindy Thomas]

Winner, winner, plum bombs for dinner.

[Guy Raz]

Thank you, Finn. Contestants, if you guessed the answer b that the symbol for lead is PB after the Latin word plumbum, you found the winning wow. Congratulations.

[Mindy Thomas]

That's right, Guy Raz. If you see PB on the periodic table, it does not stand for peanut butter. Unfortunately, it's the symbol for lead, a very toxic element, at least to humans.

[Guy Raz]

And if you ever wondered why lead has such a different symbol, it's because lead's original Latin name is plum bum.

[Mindy Thomas]

Now, if you did not get the answer correct, you must stop, drop, and say plum bum 500 times fast.

[Dennis]

Plumb. Plumb.

[Guy Raz]

Plumb.

[Dennis]

Plum.

[Mindy Thomas]

Plum.

[Dennis]

Plum. Plum. Plum, plum. Am I doing it? Am I doing it?

[Mindy Thomas]

Dennis.

[Dennis]

Oh, sorry, sorry, sorry. Continue.

[Guy Raz]

What was that?

[Mindy Thomas]

Oh, Guy Razzie, that sound can mean only one thing.

[Guy Raz]

My Uber to eats is here with my non GMO vegan tacos.

[Mindy Thomas]

No, that means it's time for today's Bonkerballs bonus round. And the question for this round is, is ice cream a drink or is it a food?

[Guy Raz]

Well, I'd say it's a food you can take a bite out of it. It's a solid. It has me too.

[Mindy Thomas]

That was the easiest Bonkerballs bonus round yet.

[Dennis]

Well, I think it's a drink. Everyone knows ice cream is best melted in a cup with a straw for drinking. Yes, it is, Reggie.

[Mindy Thomas]

Look at the time. Looks like we're all out of it. And that is enough for today, Dennis.

[Guy Raz]

Congratulations to all of our winning wowzers on today's show. Amindi, what's today's prize?

[Mindy Thomas]

Guy Raz. All of our contestants today will be bringing home their very own Guys stuff.

[Guy Raz]

Do you mean stuff that's only meant for guys or.

[Mindy Thomas]

No, I mean guys as in Guy Raz. You know, like your stuff. Mindy here's your hairbrush and your empty bag of kale chips that I got from your trash can.

[Guy Raz]

Oh boy.

[Mindy Thomas]

Reggie, cue the prize cannon.

[Guy Raz]

No.

Well, that's just about all the time we have for today.

[Mindy Thomas]

But before we go, we have a little scientific challenge for you. We call it Operation Rename It.

[Guy Raz]

Today we learned that William Herschel renamed the planet he discovered, Uranus. We challenge you to rename your favorite.

[Mindy Thomas]

Planet, do some research about your planet, and come up with a brand new name that captures its essence. Maybe you think Jupiter should be named.

[Guy Raz]

Spaghetti Stain, or perhaps you think Neptune should be named after your dog.

[Mindy Thomas]

And don't forget to take a photo or a video of your planet. Redesign Grown Ups. You can upload pictures and videos to [e-mail] share and be sure to come.

[Guy Raz]

Back on Monday for a brand new episode of wow in the World and again on Friday for a new episode of 2 what's and a wow.

[Mindy Thomas]

Until then, keep on wowing.

[Guy Raz]

2 what's 2 what's 2 what do what do I.

[Mindy Thomas]

Grown Ups? If you like wow in the World, you can listen early and ad free right now on Wondery.

[Guy Raz]

Join Wondery in the Wondery app or on Wondery Kids plus on Apple Podcasts prime members can listen ad free on Amazon Music.

[Mindy Thomas]

And before you go, tell us about yourself by filling out a short [e-mail].

[Guy Raz]

2 what's in a WoW is executive produced by Meredith Halpern, Ranzer Mindy Thomas and me, Guy Raz.

[Mindy Thomas]

Our writers are Ruth Morrison and Anna Zagorski.

[Guy Raz]

Sound production and design is by Marian Lozano with help from our supervising producer Jed Anderson.

[Mindy Thomas]

Special thanks to Steph Sosa, Henry Moskal, Anna Danniker, Rebecca Caban, Sana, Ella Mohammad and all of the other Tinkerers at Tinkercast hq.

[Guy Raz]

Our theme song was written and composed by the Pop Ups. For more on their three time Grammy nominated all ages music, find them at.

[Mindy Thomas]

Thepopups.Com to keep the wows rolling. Visit us at tinkercast.com where you can become an official member of the World Organization of wowzers. Find our two what's in a wow Think and Tinker Playbook and learn about all of our other amazing podcasts from Tinkercast Grown Ups.

[Guy Raz]

You can follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter @2whats and a wow and our email address is helloinkercast.com finally, if.

[Mindy Thomas]

You'Re a kid with a big wow to share, it could be used on an upcoming episode of 2 what. Call us at 1-8-8-8, 7. Wow. Wow.

[Guy Raz]

Thanks again for listening and playing along. Meet us back here on Monday for Wow in the World.

[Caller]

Wow in the World was made by Tinkercast and sent to you by Wondery.