45. Bahuvrihi

This week Emily and Kyle travel eastward, taking a look at the Sanskrit language and at the little-known word ‘bahuvrihi.’

The pair discuss the grammar of compound words, both in English and Sanskrit. And they discover how adjectives and nouns can take on new meanings when joined together, becoming greater than the sum of their parts.

They also explore the influence of Indian languages in English–and how that influence shows up in places you might not expect! (Sure, words from Hinduism and Buddhism, like karma, aren’t hard to believe. But juggernaut? Or fruit punch??)