43. Grognard

This week, Emily and Kyle explore the word “grognard,” its roots in French history, and its modern usage in tabletop gaming.

The two unpack grognard’s historical context in the French Imperial Army of Napoleon. They read the laundry list of requirements of his esteemed Old Guard, and how the privileges of their position gave way to a new word.

They also talk about the connection between Napoleon’s grumbling old soldiers and the RPG world’s grumbling war gamers--and the semantic change that bridges the two. And they (carefully) address the differences between war games and Dungeons and Dragons.

Join us every week as we explore the fascinating origins and meanings of words, uncovering the hidden stories behind language and how it evolves over time, for language enthusiasts and etymology buffs alike.

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Produced by Seth Gliksman, Kyle Imperatore, and Emily Moyers

Main theme and accompanying themes by Kyle Imperatore