Common Scolds and Cool Beans

In 1829, journalist Anne Royall was dragged into a Washington, D.C., courtroom and convicted of being a common scold. Her crime? Having opinions, challenging powerful men, and refusing to keep her mouth shut. The proposed punishment involved a wooden chair, the Potomac River, and a medieval practice usually associated with witch trials. Naturally, Anne had a few things to say about that. Then, Kat takes us down a surprisingly strange linguistic rabbit hole. Where did “cool beans,” “spill the beans,” and “full of beans” come from? Ancient Greek voting rituals? French fur trappers? Cheech and Chong? Recreational pharmaceuticals? The history of bean-related slang is considerably weirder—and much less certain—than you might expect. Plus, William Shatner's bizarre career detours, from professional wrestling and championship horses to space travel and heavy metal. It's outspoken women, questionable etymology, and Captain Kirk rocking out at 95. Just another perfectly normal day inside The Box of Oddities. Keep flying that Freak Flag! #BoxOfOddities #AnneRoyall #WeirdHistory #StrangeHistory #CoolBeans #WilliamShatner #Podcast Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices