156. Panjandrum

This week, Emily and Kyle are tackling the great panjandrum himself, exploring the humorous origins and unexpected usage of this decidedly impressive word.

Our hosts begin with a passage of 18th century nonsense, and a memory exercise that acting pros like Kyle can handle with ease. Emily then gives us a look at panjandrums through Victorian era children’s literature, satirical magazines, and modern day newspapers alike.

But the panjandrum that really blasts off comes around in World War II. Our hosts explore a weapon that could’ve stormed the beaches on D-Day, but in fact just careened around the beaches of Westward Ho! And before they close out, Emily quizzes Kyle on a few more wheeled terrors of WW2.