85. Jactitation

In this episode, Kyle and Emily discuss the meaning and origin of the word jactitation. No cap. …Okay, maybe a little cap.

They talk about the roots of this word, how it evolved from meanings like throw or scatter, to meanings like boast or brag. And this leads them to a fascinating dive into the history of the letter J, and its relation to the letter I. But the real meat and potatoes of this episode is a look at some of history’s greatest show-offs.

Kyle tells us about a saint who defeated the devil with a horseshoe, as well as a church whose monks may have stretched the truth a bit. And Emily delights in the story of a woman who is perhaps history’s greatest jactitator. This coquette’s thrilling life included a not so lucky marriage, a suspect title of duchess, and a possible brush with the Pope.