158. Stevedore

Emily and Kyle learn what the average Steve does for a living, what makes shipping so expensive, and who swears like a sailor (aside from a sailor), as they explore the history of the word stevedore.

Our hosts dig into the origins of this word—which, shockingly, perhaps disappointingly, have nothing to do with the name Steve. In fact, it has more to do with the ins and outs of dock work, and the person doing that work. And discussing this subject reveals that our ancestors were just as annoyed about shipping costs as we are.

The conversation also meanders towards other terms for dockworkers, and Kyle learns the deceptively simple origin of the term longshoreman. Emily gives us a look at maritime history, the plights of dockworkers, and some insight on a union strike that might sound familiar.