Throwing People Under Buses Since the ’80s
Throwing People Under Buses Since the ’80s  
Podcast: The Nightly
Published On: Fri Jul 31 2026
Description: Matt Bragg talks with caller Elise from Brooklyn about the sudden takeover of the phrase "throw someone under the bus," decades-old naval idioms, and the eternal question of what a scapegoat actually is.What You'll HearA Cupboard Door, a Bag of Matchsticks, and Regret: Matt kicks off the show mid-meltdown, recounting the exact glue-and-matchstick trick that saved his kitchen cabinet and, eventually, his mood.The Phrase That Broke Elise's Brain: Caller Elise explains how "throw someone under the bus" seemed to appear out of nowhere the moment she heard it on Top Chef, and why she still can't shake the feeling everyone else got the memo first.A Very Deep Dive on Sailor Slang: Matt and Elise trace "chock-a-block," "taken aback," and "turn a blind eye" back to 18th-century ships, then get stuck on the surprisingly tricky question of whether a scapegoat is a type of goat.CHAPTERS00:00 Intro & the cupboard door disaster02:05 Caller Elise joins from Brooklyn03:20 Where "throw under the bus" actually comes from09:12 Ballroom slang and the word "irregardless"13:26 A deep dive on naval idioms16:36 Goodnights and a shoutout to the original bus-throwerFor the fully immersive, phone free light + sound experience, learn more at hatch.co. Follow us on TikTok @hatchpodcasts and YouTube. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.