Examining Lost Words and Threats to our Coffee

Air Date:
Heard On The Morning Show
two cups of coffee being filled in front of a fireplace
Virginia State Parks (CC BY)

This Thanksgiving, we’re looking back at our language with the author of “The Little Book of Lost Words” and learning about a century-old plant disease that’s posing a new threat to our global coffee supply.

Featured in this Show

  • Groke, Pingle And Other Words From History For Your Vocabulary

    You may have heard of a popinjay or somebody who’s waggish. But what about gongoozler, humgruffin and blatteroon? We review some of the strangest (and most fun-to-say) words that are no longer in our lexicon — but maybe should be — with the author of a new book.

  • Coffee Rust Threatens Economies, Biodiversity And Our Caffeine Habits

    A disease once isolated on the other side of the globe is destroying coffee plants throughout Central and South America. Our guest is a journalist who explores what it means for the global economy, for genetic science and for coffee drinkers around the world.

Episode Credits

  • Kealey Bultena Host
  • Colleen Leahy Producer
  • Kealey Bultena Producer
  • Lee Rayburn Technical Director
  • Joe Gillard Guest
  • Maryn McKenna Guest
  • Kealey Bultena Interviewer

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