Why is Z the last letter of the English alphabet (and why do British people insist on calling it zed)? Who stuck a tail on C and called it G? And is there a reason why the I in ‘child’ and ‘children’ sounds different? (Spoiler alert: Yes!) Linguist Danny Bate stops by to unpack the mysteries of the alphabet and discuss his delightful new book, Why Q Needs U: A History of Our Letters and How We Use Them.

Buy Why Q Needs U here, or inquire at your local bookstore or library!

Download SAILY in your app store and use our code PTG at checkout to get an exclusive 15% off your first purchase! For details go to https://saily.com/PTG.

Got a question or idea for the show? Call our hotline at (302) 405-5925 or email higeniuses@gmail.com.

Follow us on Instagram @parttimegenius and Bluesky @parttimegenius.bsky.social!

Learn more about your ad choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com.

Why is Z the last letter of the English alphabet (and why do British people insist on calling it zed)? Who stuck a tail on C and called it G? And is there a reason why the I in &lsquo;child&rsquo; and &lsquo;children&rsquo; sounds different? (Spoiler alert: Yes!) Linguist Danny Bate stops by to unpack the mysteries of the alphabet and discuss his delightful new book, Why Q Needs U: A History of Our Letters and How We Use Them.
Buy Why Q Needs U&nbsp;<a href="https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/Why-Q-Needs-U/Danny-Bate/9781785307430">here</a>, or inquire at your local bookstore or library!
Download SAILY in your app store and use our code PTG at checkout to get an exclusive 15% off your first purchase! For details go to <a href="https://saily.com/PTG">https://saily.com/PTG</a>.
Got a question or idea for the show? Call our hotline at (302) 405-5925 or email higeniuses@gmail.com.
Follow us on Instagram <a href="https://www.instagram.com/parttimegenius/">@parttimegenius</a> and Bluesky <a href="https://bsky.app/profile/parttimegenius.bsky.social">@parttimegenius.bsky.social</a>!
Learn more about your ad choices at&nbsp;<a href="https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com">https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com</a>.

Are you a knowledge junkie who loves when facts are stranger than fiction? Do you find yourself constantly tripping down Wikipedia rabbit holes (and delighting in the journey)? Have you ever been told you ask a lot of questions? If so, congrats! You’re one of us: a Part-Time Genius! Join Will, Mango, and the team as we scour the globe in search of obscure facts, offbeat locales, and hidden histories. Along the way, we’ll chat with experts, play some games, get in touch with our silly side, and celebrate the fine art of staying curious.

Are you a knowledge junkie who loves when facts are stranger than fiction? Do you find yourself constantly tripping down Wikipedia rabbit holes (and delighting in the journey)? Have you ever been told you ask a lot of questions? If so, congrats! You&rsquo;re one of us: a Part-Time Genius! Join Will, Mango, and the team as we scour the globe in search of obscure facts, offbeat locales, and hidden histories. Along the way, we&rsquo;ll chat with experts, play some games, get in touch with our silly side, and celebrate the fine art of staying curious.

Part-Time Genius

Where Did the Alphabet Come From? with Danny Bate!

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/b4493913-8c43-442b-8aa2-b467016047f9/transcript