Show notes
Listener Steven wrote: "I’ve been hornswoggled! So, what exactly has happened to me and when did people start getting hornswoggled? Is it painful?" We have answers. Visit Lexicon Valley. A Booksmart Studios Production. Episode 296: "I've Been Hornswoggled!" With Bob Garfield and Mike Vuolo. Edited and produced by Mike Vuolo. Produced by Livia Bloom Ingram. All rights reserved.
Highlighted moments
This is the earliest example of hornswoggle that we know of, and it's defined in the journal as, quote, to embarrass irretrievably.
“But it originally meant to obstruct or to burden. To be embarrassed by debt is a phrase you hear even today.”
“Meaning to trick or swindle, its origin has been traced to cowboy lingo. In every herd of cattle are wily steers, which, as soon as they feel the rope settle on their horns, begin wriggling and dodging.”
“Let's just say that the etymology is too good not to be true, despite there being, as you're suggesting, no real evidence for it.”
Transcript
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