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In episode 91 of I Hate Talking, the hosts tackle another word or phrase of the episode—this time the idiom “beating a dead horse.” After clarifying its proper form (“beat a dead horse”) and meaning—wasting energy on a lost cause—they explore its 19th‑century origins and related alternatives such as “chasing rainbows” or “tilting at windmills,” the latter traced to Don Quixote (1615). Their lighthearted detour even touches on modern misquotes, like “get the horse in the water,” and how mangled idioms can slip naturally into everyday speech.

Then, in the latest installment of their travel‑review mini‑series, the hosts recount their 2025 family trip to Universal Studios Hollywood. From long lines to magical moments, they relive highlights from Jurassic Park, Super Nintendo World, and The Wizarding World of Harry Potter—plus the chaos of ordering food at Krusty Burger and a surprise favorite: the Studio Tour. They share tips on using AI to plan ride order, why “preferred parking” was worth it, and how to balance saving money with letting the kids enjoy souvenirs and butterbeer. It’s a mix of wordplay, theme‑park strategy, and parenting humor, all delivered—as always—with good‑natured candor.

Keywords: beat a dead horse, idiom meaning, phrase origins, Don Quixote, tilting at windmills, Universal Studios Hollywood, Jurassic Park ride, Super Nintendo World, Harry Potter World, Studio Tour review, travel tips, theme park planning, I Hate Talking podcast.

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Any views expressed on this podcast are those solely of the hosts and is for entertainment purposes only. None of the content is medical advice or financial advice.

Special thanks to Tim Wright aka CoLD SToRAGE for his permission to use the song Operatique.

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In episode 90 of I Hate Talking, the hosts welcome new listeners for the new year with a quick refresher on their show’s format—each episode features a word or phrase of the week, its definition and etymology, and a real-life discussion it inspires. This time, the word is “defunct”, meaning something that no longer exists or functions. The conversation begins with the closure of all 99¢ Only Stores in 2024 and moves into the history of the term, tracing it from Latin roots meaning “to perform” and its later English use meaning “deceased” or “obsolete.” They even touch on how it’s often confused with “debunked,” clearing up the difference and laughing about spelling mix-ups like “defunk.”

From there, the episode transitions into something far from defunct—family fun at Great Wolf Lodge. The hosts share a detailed review of their visit: the indoor water park, slides, wave pool, and lazy river all live up to the hype; however, the optional MagiQuest adventure earns mixed reviews for being expensive, time-consuming, and easy to reset by mistake. They also discuss budgeting tips, DoorDash dinners over pricey resort food, and the joy of wolf-ear souvenirs.

Keywords: defunct, word meaning, etymology, 99¢ Only Stores closure, Latin roots, Great Wolf Lodge review, indoor water park, MagiQuest, DoorDash travel hacks, family travel, vacation reviews, I Hate Talking podcast.

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Any views expressed on this podcast are those solely of the hosts and is for entertainment purposes only. None of the content is medical advice or financial advice.

Special thanks to Tim Wright aka CoLD SToRAGE for his permission to use the song Operatique.

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In episode 89 of I Hate Talking, the hosts return from the holidays with a full conversation centered on the word aplomb—a fitting term for confidence, balance, and maintaining composure under pressure. After tracing its French roots (à plomb, “according to the plumb line”), they explain how it evolved to describe someone poised and self-assured even in demanding situations. The discussion cleverly ties the literal idea of a perfectly vertical plumb line to the metaphorical steadiness required to face challenges “with aplomb.”

That sense of balance sets up the second half of the episode: a funny, chaotic, and good‑natured retelling of their Cub Scout fundraising pies‑in‑the‑face tradition. From pie counts to safety goggles to why shaving cream beats whipped cream (for hygiene and safety reasons), listeners get an inside look at how this messy annual ritual brings joy to the pack—and how the hosts handle it with both humor and, of course, aplomb. The episode wraps with reflections on living in the moment, capturing memories, and debating the best (edible) pies, leaving listeners smiling and maybe craving dessert instead of shaving cream.

Keywords: aplomb, word meaning, etymology, French origin, poise, confidence, scouting traditions, Cub Scouts, fundraising, shaving cream pies, leadership, humor, holiday return, I Hate Talking podcast.

Support the show

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Any views expressed on this podcast are those solely of the hosts and is for entertainment purposes only. None of the content is medical advice or financial advice.

Special thanks to Tim Wright aka CoLD SToRAGE for his permission to use the song Operatique.