On this episode of Our American Stories, Andrew Thompson shares another slice of his guide to understanding the baffling mini-mysteries of the English language, this time diving into how the phrases “bite the bullet” and "bless you" came to be. His book, Hair of the Dog to Paint the Town Red: The Wonderful Origins of Everyday Expressions and Fun Phrases, is a must-read. Be sure to check it out!

Support the show (https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate)

On this episode of Our American Stories, Andrew Thompson shares another slice of his guide to understanding the baffling mini-mysteries of the English language, this time diving into how the phrases &ldquo;bite the bullet&rdquo; and "bless you" came to be. His book,&nbsp;<a href="https://nam04.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.com%2FHair-Dog-Paint-Town-Red%2Fdp%2F1612436684&amp;data=05%7C02%7CUraelBlackshear%40iheartmedia.com%7C0519eef0bdde43f2021d08de545c1914%7C122a527e5b714eba878d9810b495b9e3%7C0%7C0%7C639040951707335154%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&amp;sdata=DWzYT8DvsyFbO3Q1tX9Y%2FVVUwXbNe0ezmUpIydQCqOc%3D&amp;reserved=0" data-auth="NotApplicable" data-linkindex="3">Hair of the Dog to Paint the Town Red: The Wonderful Origins of Everyday Expressions and Fun Phrases</a>, is a must-read. Be sure to check it out!
Support the show (<a href="https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate)">https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate)</a>

Our American Stories tells stories that aren’t being told. Positive stories about generosity and courage, resilience and redemption, faith and love. Stories about the past and present. And stories about ordinary Americans who do extraordinary things each and every day. Stories from our listeners about their lives. And their history. In that pursuit, we hope we’ll be a place where listeners can refresh their spirit, and be inspired by our stories.

Our American Stories

Bite the Bullet and Bless You: The Wonderful Origins of Everyday Expressions (Part 6)

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/2ac67fae-e341-4b03-a733-b3d40173d1f2/transcript

On this episode of Our American Stories, during the Battle of the Bulge in December 1944, an American reconnaissance armored car faced one of Nazi Germany’s most feared weapons, a massive Tiger tank. By every measure, it should have been an impossible fight.

Our regular contributor, The History Guy, shares the tale of how a lightly armed U.S. M8 armored car encountered a German Tiger tank near the crossroads town of St. Vith, Belgium, and how quick thinking, timing, and nerve turned the encounter into one of the most extraordinary armored victories of World War II.

Support the show (https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate)

On this episode of Our American Stories, during the Battle of the Bulge in December 1944, an American reconnaissance armored car faced one of Nazi Germany&rsquo;s most feared weapons, a massive Tiger tank. By every measure, it should have been an impossible fight. Our regular contributor, The History Guy, shares the tale of how a lightly armed U.S. M8 armored car encountered a German Tiger tank near the crossroads town of St. Vith, Belgium, and how quick thinking, timing, and nerve turned the encounter into one of the most extraordinary armored victories of World War II.
Support the show (<a href="https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate)">https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate)</a>

The Most Unlikely Tank Kill of World War II

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/370b0ec2-9681-4819-bb04-b3d40173d1f8/transcript

On this episode of Our American Stories, writer Taylor Brown shares a deeply personal eulogy for his father, a lifelong motorcyclist who taught him about patience, character, and what it means to choose what is hard over what is easy.

Originally published in Garden & Gun, the piece traces their bond through long rides, shared roads, and the quiet lessons passed from father to son. From childhood trips on the back of a Harley to the final ride that took his father’s life, Brown reflects on grief, inheritance, and the ways a parent stays with us long after they’re gone.

Support the show (https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate)

On this episode of Our American Stories, writer Taylor Brown shares a deeply personal eulogy for his father, a lifelong motorcyclist who taught him about patience, character, and what it means to choose what is hard over what is easy. Originally published in&nbsp;Garden &amp; Gun, the piece traces their bond through long rides, shared roads, and the quiet lessons passed from father to son. From childhood trips on the back of a Harley to the final ride that took his father&rsquo;s life, Brown reflects on grief, inheritance, and the ways a parent stays with us long after they&rsquo;re gone.
Support the show (<a href="https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate)">https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate)</a>

A Son’s Eulogy for His Biker Father, by Taylor Brown

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/cbfed78c-84ef-4f1f-8f72-b3d40173d1f8/transcript

On this episode of Our American Stories, why is it illegal to shoot rabbits from a motorboat? Or to import skunks into certain states? And who decided these things needed to be written into law in the first place?

Author Winter Prosapio joins Our American Stories to explore the strange, funny, and often forgotten laws that still exist across the United States. Drawing from her book Weird U.S. Laws, she explains how many of these rules began as practical solutions to real problems, from livestock theft to public safety, before becoming historical leftovers on the books.

Support the show (https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate)

On this episode of Our American Stories, why is it illegal to shoot rabbits from a motorboat? Or to import skunks into certain states? And who decided these things needed to be written into law in the first place? Author Winter Prosapio joins&nbsp;Our American Stories&nbsp;to explore the strange, funny, and often forgotten laws that still exist across the United States. Drawing from her book&nbsp;<a href="https://nam04.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.com%2FWeird-U-S-Laws-Strange-Bizarre%2Fdp%2F1926700406&amp;data=05%7C02%7CUraelBlackshear%40iheartmedia.com%7C0519eef0bdde43f2021d08de545c1914%7C122a527e5b714eba878d9810b495b9e3%7C0%7C0%7C639040951707310394%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&amp;sdata=qms1ZskoAhFZebC%2FvbnFguCgbCf4GKcSPBVCZ2ePGf0%3D&amp;reserved=0" data-auth="NotApplicable" data-linkindex="2">Weird U.S. Laws</a>, she explains how many of these rules began as practical solutions to real problems, from livestock theft to public safety, before becoming historical leftovers on the books.
Support the show (<a href="https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate)">https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate)</a>

Shooting Bunnies From a Motorboat and Other Bizarre US Laws

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/7530d060-f3f3-4198-beb8-b3d40173d1f0/transcript

Bite the Bullet and Bless You: The Wonderful Origins of Everyday Expressions (Part 6)

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