Why do Slovaks choose warm Coke? Why will a draught kill you but a frozen lake won't? Why does my wife prescribe socks as the solution to frequent urination?

After 27 years in Slovakia, I've developed a theory: Slovaks don't have random superstitions about cold — they have a framework. Cold is an active agent of harm. It is trying to get in. And that framework turns out to be more interesting, more historically rooted, and occasionally more scientifically defensible than it first appears.

This is Part 1 of a three-part arc. Next time: the lekáreň.

🧦 Wear some bloody socks!

Chapters:

0:00 Chladená alebo nechladená?

0:44 Pranostiky: Slovakia's calendar of cold

2:27 The prievan: the silent killer

6:39 The thermostat, the aircon, and the sauna paradox

9:52 Socks, hats, and the months with an R

12:51 Cold drinks and sore throats

14:05 What's really going on?

15:17 Outro

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The Blorecast is a podcast from The School of Blore in Košice, Slovakia. It’s about life, culture, language, and exams – all served up with a dose of humour and storytelling. Whether you’re learning English, preparing for Cambridge exams, or just curious about life in Slovakia, you’ll find something here.

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📺 Watch: https://www.youtube.com/@bloresk

📌 Find out more at: https://blore.sk/

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Attributions

https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Europe_blank_map_with_Kosovo.png

https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Panel%C3%A1ky.jpg

https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Bc105_thermostat_front_view.png

https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Sauna_2.jpg

https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Zamrznut%C3%A1_vodn%C3%A1_n%C3%A1dr%C5%BE_Sigord,_Koko%C5%A1ovce_25_Slovakia_12.jpg

https://libreshot.com/legs-in-cold-water/ by https://martinvorel.com/

Microwave Ping: https://pixabay.com/sound-effects/household-microwave-ding-104123/

Scream: https://pixabay.com/sound-effects/film-special-effects-cartoon-scream-1-6835/

Other photos are James's own (all rights reserved).

Our theme tune is Ode to Joy – Heavy Edition, written specially for us by the most excellent dafteaux: https://youtu.be/rU6nLowrtmE

The first funky breakbeat drum loop is by Alexander, used under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License: http://www.orangefreesounds.com/vintage-drum-and-organ-beat-87-bpm/

And the new ones are from here: https://samplefocus.com/samples/acoustic-rolling-drum-loop-cool-beat