Something Rhymes with Purple

If you’re easily grossed out then probably best to cover your ears for this one… in honour of the spookiest time of the year we’re digging around words with gruesome origins. From black books to black boxes, sarcasm to travel, and from loopholes to chivvying along, we uncover the often bloody backgrounds to these seemingly innocent terms. We also recoil at those everyday words that send a shiver down our spines, Susie has a trio of words to remember, and Gyles tells some particularly gruesome tales involving Chevy Chase, Rod Hull, and a terrifying woodwork teacher. A Somethin' Else production. Susie’s Trio: Witches’ knickers - a term for plastic bags stuck in the branches of a tree Abibliophobia - the fear of being without books Balatronic - pertaining to a clown or a buffoon. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

This week we’re heading back to school to discuss beaks, divs, rostrums, and to get to the bottom of why UK public schools don’t seem very open to the public. We discuss the benefits of an encyclopaedia education, why school is actually a leisure activity, and we debate whether it’s skiving, bunking, or playing hooky. Away from the classroom there’s lots of reminiscing about favourite school-related books and tv shows, and some rather grand claims to fame from both Enid Blyton and Jacqueline Wilson. As always, Susie sets her three-word homework for us and Gyles reveals some bizarre morning rituals from his own schooldays. A Somethin’ Else production Susie’s trio Poppinoddles - a Cumbrian term for a roly poly Nix - an instruction to stop talking because someone is coming Duck’s dive - another phrase for skimming stones. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

P-p-p-p-p-ick up a podcast… and join us as we spill the tea (both figuratively and literally) and get busy dunking biscuits into our brew. From the Wagon Wheel to the Jammie Dodger, Susie and Gyles unpick the fascinating stories behind the names of our favourite twice-baked treats, as well as finding a little time to reveal their desert island biscuits… and quite how many they can eat in one sitting. There’s lots to digest as we learn about hobnobbing Italian Generals rubbing shoulders with flightless birds in a nice French town. And Susie reveals why she steers clear of candles on a first date… Later in the programme Gyles has a poem to get us through the darker days, Susie has her timely trio, and we get the chance to answer your myriad of questions including ones about jiffles and strops. A Somethin’ Else production. Susie’s trio: Bitching the pot - pouring the tea Gwick - to make a loud swallowing noise Omnistrain - the stress of trying to cope with everything in life. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

According to the great philosophers Heraclitus and Gyles Brandreth, “change is the only constant”. After an absolute Katzenjammer of a week for Susie we focus on change of all kinds, from the shifting seasons to what defines the ‘new normal’. As we Fall into Autumn, we find out why sozzled cads are bonking less and, avoiding the treadmill, we pour a large cuddle-me-buff, to embrace the hygge and snudge our way through the dreich conditions. Elsewhere Gyles picks three of his favourite words from Susie’s new book for our weekly trio and a very special guest delivers a word perfect Wordsworth rendition in honour of National Poetry Day. A Somethin’ Else production. If you have a question for Gyles and Susie then email [email protected]. Gyles’ Trio: Hibernacle - a winter retreat Zhuzh - to make more exciting or attractive; add a certain je ne sais quoi Perendinate - to put off until the day after tomorrow. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Hi Something Rhymes With Purple fans, we've made a show we think you'll like.... On September 11th 2001, as he faced incalculable losses after the terrorist attacks that day, President George W Bush made a call to his greatest international ally: British Prime Minister Tony Blair. 18 months later, Bush and Blair led a coalition into a war that went horribly wrong. David Dimbleby, one of the BBC’s best known news hosts and reporters, takes us back to those crucial 18 months. Talking to prime ministers, politicians, spies and weapons inspectors he asks how and why we came to invade Iraq. And as we experience an era of lies and mistrust - did the events of 17 years ago set the stage for the world we live in now? This is a Somethin' Else production. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

“It is not the answer that enlightens, but the question” Eugene Ionesco Hopefully he’s only half right… but this week we are entirely in your hands and answering your enlightening questions that have been coming into the inbox in recent weeks. In this correspondence special Susie and Gyles are tackling migraines with essential oils, finding out how chickens keep sneaking into phrases, and wondering who in the heavens was Betsy? Susie makes the ineffable effable and the whole thing 'pans out' to be pretty ‘decent’. Plus HOT BEEF will become your new favourite expression. A Somethin’ Else production Susie’s trio: Thermopot - a lover of hot drinks Pollicitation - an offer made but not yet accepted Lanspresado - the person who turns up in the pub having “accidentally” forgotten their wallet If you want to get in touch with Gyles and Susie then please email [email protected]. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Atten-SHUN! Lace up your boots and join Privates Dent and Brandreth as we take a linguistic yomp through the world of army slang. Wearing their canteen medals with pride, Gyles and Susie travel from Civvie Street to the mess, breaking bread with a sky pilot, a fetch, and a fobbit, before donning their crap hats, taking advantage of a desert lily and heading off to their doss bags feeling utterly chinstrapped. A Somethin' Else production Email Gyles and Susie via [email protected] Susie's trio: Betwattled - confused or bewildered Hopper-arsed - having large buttocks Lobcock - a dull, sluggish person. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Having tackled the stars in the sky, this week we’re turning our gaze to the stars who walk upon the earth. From the first celebrities to Beatle-mania via way of the inaugural ‘It Girl’ we’re tackling the full A-List of famous terminologies. This gives Gyles the perfect platform for some legitimate name-dropping, we delve deeper into Susie’s Arsene Wenger brain crush, and we discover Oscar Wilde’s numerous and ingenious methods of getting noticed. We also find time to give a few listeners their 15-minutes of Purple fame by answering their language questions, Susie has a terrific trio of words, and Gyles caps things off with a witty poem about growing old. A Somethin’ Else production Susie’s Trio: Dew snail - alternative name for a slug Uhtceare - anxiety just before dawn breaks Sloom - to gently sleep or lightly slumber If you want to put a question to Gyles and Susie then email [email protected]. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

With the season kicking off on Saturday we’re lacing up our linguistic shooting boots and taking a dive (boo!) into the language of football… or should that be soccer? Either way Gyles is ‘taking one for the team’ this week as he plays more of a ‘cheese sandwich’ to Susie’s footie ‘fanatic’. She throws nutmegs, Panenkas, and Rabonas into the ‘mixer’ whilst deftly avoiding throwing him a ‘hospital pass’. In the second half we whizz through some fascinating club nicknames from the Mackems to the Toffees via way of a remarkable story involving a monkey (supposedly) meeting a nasty end in Hartlepool… As always we answer lots of your questions (and laugh/groan at your jokes), Susie has a tantalising trio for you, and Gyles reveals how he once played matchmaker for the ultimate football playboy. A Somethin’ Else production. Susie’s trio: Flype - to roll up your socks before putting them on Sprunt - to chase girls around a haystack after dark Biffin - a deep red cooking apple. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Pssst… yes you… how do you fancy being a birdwatcher or perhaps a sleeper ready to wake up in time for the dead drop? Well, listen in and allow Agents Brandreth and Dent to provide you with the linguistic pocket-litter to avoid you blowing your cover. If you haven’t yet cracked the code, this week we’re discussing the intricate language of the murky world of espionage. Find out the difference between the Scalphunters and the Lamplighters, get your “shoes” from the Cobbler and join us as we go undercover and onto spook street… oh, and remember, it’s freezing in London today… When Susie and Gyles come in from the cold, they seize the opportunity to answer lots of your questions on pub names, the connection (or lack thereof) between the compass points and the news, and they flip lunch on its head. A Somethin’ Else production. Susie’s Trio: Nuncheon - a drink to be taken at luncheon A fit of the clevers - a sudden spurt of activity when you notice the time Jack brew - a cuppa you make without making one for anyone else. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

This week’s podcast is an absolute joke… in a good way! Join Gyles and Susie as they whisk us through the history of the things that make us laugh. From the first recorded joke in history (newsflash: toilet humour is nothing new) to the best jokes of recent Edinburgh Fringe Festivals, prepare to guffaw (and groan) your way through the next 45 minutes. We’ve got chickens crossing roads, a banned Christmas cracker joke, the origin of Knock Knock humour, and Gyles keeps things ticking over by dusting off a few old classics as well as throwing in a couple of up-to-date rib-ticklers for good measure. In the second half Susie dives into the etymology of humorous language, from puns to shaggy dog stories, and always, sends us off with a trio of words to take into the week. Get ready to slap those thighs! A Somethin’ Else production. Susie’s Trio: Bovarism - an unreal or romanticised perception of oneself Balatronic - characteristic of a buffoon Chawbacon - a country-dweller. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Dictionaries, depression, a doctorate and a 311th birthday to celebrate…can you guess? Oh yes, this week Susie and Gyles are saluting one of their literary heroes: Doctor Samuel Johnson! We will journey from Litchfield to London and whilst liaising with the literary greats of the day (and falling in love) we will discover how Johnson's desire to halt the degradation of the English language gave us his dictionary. A tumultuous tale involving embryos, rants, hiccups and kisses and a trip to the brothel (not by Johnson himself, of course!) and a tale that has put him amongst one of the most important people in the history of recording language. A Somethin’ Else production. If you would like to nominate your word for ‘that’ sound that older people make when they sit down or stand up, or if you have any other questions for Susie and Gyles, you can get in touch at [email protected] Susie’s Trio: Psittacism - meaningless or mechanical repetition of words and phrases Exfamiliation - exclusion from ones family Scrouging - inconvenience or discomfort someone by standing too close to them. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Cheers! This week we're looking for answers at the bottom of the glass as we drink in the history behind the fascinating names of the boozers of Britain. Like Chaucer's pilgrims we start at The Tabard before cantering through the rivalry between the Red Lion and the White Hart. We find a stowaway king inside the Royal Oak, a rather befuddled duck in Ambleside, and we wonder why Livery Companies always move in threes. Along the way there's time for Susie to get up on the bar and entertain us with her three words for the week and for Gyles to get soaked with Oliver Reed. A Somethin' Else production Please do get in touch via [email protected] Susie's Trio: Vellichor - the smell of old books Umbriphilous - fond of the shade Bedinner - to give someone dinner. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

3..2..1..Get ready to launch into an episode that is out of this world as Susie and Gyles explore the language of outer space. Via the fast-flighted messenger Mercury to the saturnine tendencies of an overthrown Roman God, we explore how the planets came to be named and the legacy they have left within our everyday vocabularies. There’s just about time to stop off for a chocolate bar or two while Susie takes the opportunity to drop a celebrity name and Gyles discusses their compatibility… based entirely on their star signs… Susie’s Trio: Empleomania - Manic compulsion to hold public office at any cost Glump - To look solemn or glum Nibbling - Nephew/niece. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Doctor, Doctor, I’ve forgotten to listen to my favourite podcast! This week we delve into to the world of non-medical doctors… from Dr Johnson through to Dr Dolittle by way of Dr Frankenstein, we explore the fascinating world behind all those who have had that title bestowed upon them… for better or for worse! Along the way Gyles recounts meeting ALL those who have played Doctor Who and Susie reveals the murky world behind medical slang. As always Susie has three new words to introduce to your vocabulary, Gyles drops a name or two, and much laughter is to be had amongst the learning. A Somethin’ Else production. Susie's trio: Nuncheon - a drink taken at noon Fellowfeel - empathy Empurple - to make something purple. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

What do Humpty Dumpty, Contrary Mary, and Baa Baa Black Sheep all have in common? Well, you might think twice about reading them as bedtime stories, I’m afraid. This week, Gyles and Susie are delving into those centuries old Nursery Rhymes to uncover their - often sinister - meanings and possible origins. Expect ‘silver bells and cockleshells’ to sound less like gardening utensils and more like instruments of torture, and be prepared to have that image as Humpty Dumpty as an egg dispelled forever. If you would like to get in touch to share your favourite Nursery Rhymes with Susie and Gyles or debate any of the many origin stories linked with the Nursery Rhymes discussed today, please do get in touch at… [email protected] A Somethin’ Else production. Susie’s Trio: Dispester - to get rid of a nuisance Fornale - to spend money before you have it Avidulous - somewhat greedy. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

This week we officially became the Best Entertainment Podcast of the year at the British Podcast Awards. Thank you so much to all the Purple People who listen… you make this show what it is and we couldn’t do it without you. But to provide some balance to all this happiness, this week we’re talking about those linguistic tics that really get on our wick. I mean, you know, you could care less, but we’ll give it 100%, so… As well as swapping their language bugbears, Susie offers us three words for the week, Gyles’ grandson has slipped us a couple of jokes, and we find out about Yul Brynner’s aversion to aftershave… A Somethin’ Else production. Susie’s trio: Salvo: an intentionally bad excuse Sequacious: prone to slavishly following the opinions of others Toe-cover: a present that is both useless and cheap. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

From elite sports to class systems, it’s a hairy episode this week as Glyes and Susie delve into the history of hair which prompts Gyles to spill all on his past life’s involvement with the Porn industry. Via the astronomical, tribal and in some cases very bloody history of hair, you’re in for some fascinating tales or should that be "(pig)tails"... We’ll also be hearing Susie’s trio of words for the week and Gyles sends us off with a powerful poem. If you would like to ask Gyles & Susie a question, get in touch at [email protected]. A Somethin’ Else production. Susie’s trio: - Bobbins: rubbish or nonsense - Indread: secret inner dread - Inadvertist: someone who consistently fails to notice what is going on around them. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

"Music makes (Purple) people, come together." That’s not the only Madonna lyric that gets mistreated in this lyrical romp through the fascinating world of musical genres and phrases. We’ll be hip-hopping our way from the house (and garage) all the way to the discotheque to soak up the funk, with just enough time for Susie to channel her inner Wonder Mike and for Gyles to let his hips do the talking… We’ll also be going through the fabulous ‘mondegreens’ you’ve been mishearing, Susie has a brilliant trio, and we learn why you should never, ever let Gyles hold on to something valuable for you… [email protected] A Somethin’ Else production. Susie’s trio: Well-woulder - someone who wishes you success, so long as it’s not more success than they have Quobbled - to have wrinkly fingers Oxyphonia - excessive shrillness of voice. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Join Susie and Gyles as they venture back to pre-biblical times to uncover the history of punctuation marks. This week we’ll be diving into the drama of the comma whilst teasing out the moments when the semi-colon provides the perfect pause. We also unearth a confession from both Gyles and Susie about their - as of yet, unsuccessful - attempts to read James Joyce's Ulysses (hint: there's a sentence that contains 4391 words). We also get through lots of your brilliant emails and we want you to get in touch with any questions you may have, or any differing views on punctuation… [email protected]. A Somethin’ Else production. Susie’s trio: Insordescent - growing in filthiness Misdelight - pleasure in something wrong Leese - to be a loser. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Aghast that Gyles still thinks ‘YOLO’ is a new word, Susie talks us through the process of creating new words and, more importantly, how to get them into the dictionary. Via oldies like ‘groupies’, ‘burtons’ and ‘velcro’ Susie discusses which words stick and passes judgment on whether new words like ‘Covidiot’ are here for the long haul. She reminds us that you can’t campaign for a word to be added to the dictionary (as the Potato Council found to their disappointment)… but that won’t stop Gyles and his passion for the word ’snart’. We also go through your fascinating and mysterious nicknames for woodlice, Susie has her trio of wonderful words, and Gyles sends us off into the day with a lovely bit of Larkin. A Somethin’ Else production. Susie’s trio: Forplaint - exhausted from weeping Interdespise - to hate someone as much as they hate you Lectory - a place to read. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Purple People! We are very excited to announce that we have some brand new Something Rhymes With Purple merchandise out now for you… especially if you’re in need of somewhere to store your Bellytimber… it’s a wonderful canvas shopping bag! The perfect accompaniment for a trip to the shops (when they reopen) or the ideal gift for that Purple Person in your life. The bags are available to purchase now from purple.backstreetmerch.com so get yours today! A Somethin’ Else production. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Come into the garden Purple People as we take a look at the interesting histories behind the names of the plants blooming in the beds. Find out why basil is royal, why you use more rock celery that you might think, and which common herb is the ‘dew of the sea’. Also in this week’s bouquet are dragons, Spartan lovers and gladiators, plus we find out why the pansy is the thinking person’s flower. We also get through lots of your brilliant emails and we want you to get in touch with your own names for Billy Bakers or Chuggy Pigs… [email protected] A Somethin' Else production. Susie’s trio: Upbigged - built up Hookem-snivy - fakery or deceit Percunctorily - lazily. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Join us in our linguistic dystopia as we proles explore the language of George Orwell. We’ll be discussing newspeak and oldspeak, and attempting to double-think all under the watchful eye of Big Brother… hoping that we won’t get thrown into Room 101… somewhere Gyles has been before actually. Elsewhere we’ll be dissecting Orwell’s six rules of writing, Gyles encourages Susie to write a novel, and we discover more about Orwell’s nom du plume, his moniker, his nickname if you will… As always, a trio of words from Susie to add to your collection, and Gyles struggles to talk with a mouth full of sausages… Susie’s Trio: Angel Visit - a catch up with a friend that’s all too rare Pseudologist - a liar Sunwake - the reflection of the sun on the surface of the sea A Somethin' Else production. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Roll up, roll up! Read all about it! This week we're stalking the pavements of Fleet Street to get the scoop on the lingo from the world of journalism. We'll be finding out what links an urchin to a hedgehog, why you'd rather your basement wasn't spiked, and why a tabloid might be just the pill that you need. It's all part of the furniture. Also, through the smoke of the newsroom, Susie types up her weekly trio of words and Gyles delivers a fantastic poem about the joys of reclining... If you want to get in touch, please do, we're at [email protected]. A Somethin' Else production. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

This week we're speaking double Dutch, navigating a Mexican standoff, and playing Russian roulette as we investigate how different nationalities have embedded themselves into English. We'll be playing Chinese whispers, dreaming of Indian summers and hoping to receive a French kiss rather than one from Glasgow... Elsewhere Susie will be furnishing us with her weekly trio, Gyles reveals what Liz Hurley taught him about the female anatomy, and we'll be answering as many of your brilliant emails as possible. If you want to get in touch, please do, we're at [email protected] A Somethin' Else production. Susie's trio: Ochlophobia - extreme or irrational fear of crowds Dentiloquy - talking through clenched teeth Tittle - the dot above the letter i or j. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

This week it's all about spreading some joy as we go through words that bring us pleasure. We touch on some old favourites, words that describe joyous things, like halcyon, spindrift and sussuration, as well as words that satisfy in a different way like unprosperousness, or words that are just fun to say, like sausage. Alongside individual words Susie explains why she finds German to be a joyous language and Gyles describes a recent case of anticipointment as well as waxing lyrical about the humble Rolo chocolate. As always, we get through lots of your brilliant emails and questions, Susie has her trio of words and Gyles treats us to a poem about weight-loss written by one Gyles Brandreth. Susie's Trio: Pilgarlic - a bald-headed man Pinguescence - the process of becoming fat Illywhacker - a small-time confidence trickster A Somethin' Else production. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

This week we're being a couple of Smart Alecs and Clever Dicks and we're exploring the world of names hidden in common phrases... and were they based on real people? Was there an original Joe Bloggs? Did he ever cross paths with John Doe? Why was Jack such a lad? Upon whom was Tom peeping? All whilst being 'on our tod' recording from separate locations. Gyles will be testing our general knowledge with some questions he picked up at a star-studded charity event and, as usual, Susie will be providing her trio of words to take with you into the week. A Somethin' Else production. If you would like to get in touch with us then please email: [email protected] Susie's Trio: Clinophobia - a fear of lying down Paralipsis - giving emphasis by professing to say little or nothing at all ("I'm not even going to mention...") Skimble-Skamble - rambling and confused. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

One in the hand, is worth two in the bush... This week Gyles and Susie dig into the surprisingly significant etymology of birds. From the unlucky albatross to the onomatopoeic cuckoo, find out what Professor Dumbledore has to do with bees and what parrots have to do with the Kama Sutra... Elsewhere, Susie has her trio of words for you to sprinkle into casual conversation this week and Gyles reads an original 20s poem you can wash your hands to.... A Somethin’ Else production. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

This week we’re all at sea… in a good way! We’re plumbing the depths of the ocean, nailing our colours to the mast and, by and large, dipping our toe into the etymological waters of nautical terminology. Who was Davey Jones? We all know she sold sea shells on the sea shore… but who was she? What do pot-washers have to do with Captain Nemo? All will be revealed if you’re willing to take a dip… Away from the water, Gyles tells us of his virtual tea party with Twiggy, Susie has three words to slip into casual conversation, and there’s a very topical 20-second poem to wash your hands to. A Somethin’ Else production. If you want to get in touch please do: [email protected]. Susie’s Trio: Resistentialism - seemingly spiteful behaviour manifested by inanimate objects Spindrift - the salty spray blown from the crests of a wave Quiddling - to focus on the small tasks in order to delay doing the bigger tasks. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Sadly we’re not in Rome… Gyles is in London and Susie is in Oxford but we're still going on an etymological journey through the origins and quirks of some of our best-known proverbs. Will an apple a day really keep the doctor away? How can it be possible to have your cake and eat it too? Why was Lord Nelson the first person to turn a blind eye? And, just to butter you up, all the regular features are there too: we’ll be responding to your emails, Susie’s got a trio for you, and Gyles has a poetic pearl of wisdom to provide a boost to morale. If you want to get in touch it’s [email protected]. A Somethin’ Else production. Susie’s Trio: Waff - (multiple meanings) a slight blow; a tiny touch of illness; a glimpse; a waft of perfume; a regal wave Widdendream - a state of confusion or disturbance Twitterlight - an old word for twilight. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Happy Easter Weekend Purple People! Due to the UK Bank Holidays, this coming week's Something Rhymes With Purple will be released on Wednesday 15th April, and Susie & Gyles will be dissecting and discussing some very famous proverbs. To tide you over until then, here are a couple of rather timely word origins for you. We hope you are well and staying safe. Please do keep in touch with us via [email protected]. A Somethin' Else production. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Hello Purple People! We hope you’re not feeling too blue, or marooned right now, but fear not Gyles and Susie are here to take you down another etymological rabbit hole to get you back into the pink. This week it’s all about colours! Why are the blues blue, envious eyes green, and a coward’s belly yellow? We’ll be donning our rose-tinted spectacles, avoiding white elephants and searching for the silver linings in all of this. Also, we’ll find out why a black sheep is a good thing in Italy… As always, Gyles has a poem for us to wash our hands to as well as a quotation to take into the week, and Susie will be dropping three more interesting words into our day-to-day vocabulary. Keep your questions and comments coming in: [email protected] A Somethin’ Else production. Susie’s Trio: Shoulder-clapper - someone who is unnecessarily friendly an overfamiliar Blunkerkin - a general incompetent Respair - a return to hope or a recovery. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Hold the phone! Stop what you’re doing and dial in to a new Purple Podcast coming to you down the line. For obvious reasons Susie and Gyles can’t record together this week, but fear not, through the magic of technology they’re still able to chat and offer you their usual mix of interesting etymology and amusing anecdotes. As they’re on the blower, they’ll be delving into the world of the telephone and it’s successors/contenders. Why do we give someone a bell? How should you answer the phone? All will be revealed. Also, Gyles and Susie debate the origin of the phrase ‘cheerio’, they test their knowledge of the NATO alphabet and Susie reveals the connection between Morse code and ‘umpteen’. As well as his inspirational quotation, Gyles has another excellent 20s hand-washing poem for you to try, and Susie will be wowing us once again with her weekly trio. A Somethin’ Else production If you have a question for Susie and Gyles please email us [email protected]. Susie’s Trio: Gowpen - two handfuls of something Pronk - a weak or slightly foolish person. (Also, a verb meaning ‘to leap in the air like a springbok) Tractatrix - someone who shampoos your hair. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Join us this week as we look back over our first fifty episodes of Something Rhymes With Purple. This wouldn’t have been possible without you so thank you for listening and for keeping us on our toes with your questions and suggestions… please keep them coming! If you haven’t listened to all fifty episodes then now is the time to catch up and here are some clips to entice you and point you in the right direction. In this episode Susie and Gyles reveal which came first: orange the colour or orange the fruit; they uncover the initial trailblazers; they disclose the rather nasty origins of ‘hangdog expression’; and they raise a glass to the original tosspots… who weren’t as rude as you may think. Plus, Gyles has some handy 20-second poems for you to learn to aid hand washing and a quotation to inspire you throughout the week. If you have a question for Susie and Gyles then please get in touch: [email protected] A Somethin’ Else production. Gyles' poems: Verse 1 of "The Owl and the Pussycat" by Edward Lear: The Owl and the Pussy-cat went to sea In a beautiful pea-green boat, They took some honey, and plenty of money, Wrapped up in a five-pound note. The Owl looked up to the stars above, And sang to a small guitar, "O lovely Pussy! O Pussy, my love, What a beautiful Pussy you are, You are, You are! What a beautiful Pussy you are!" "Invictus" by William Ernest Henley: Out of the night that covers me, Black as the pit from pole to pole, I thank whatever gods may be For my unconquerable soul. In the fell clutch of circumstance I have not winced nor cried aloud. Under the bludgeonings of chance My head is bloody, but unbowed. I am the master of my fate, I am the captain of my soul. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Top o’ the morning to you and happy St Patrick’s Day! This week we’re filling up our whiskey glasses and surrounding ourselves with words of Irish origin. Donning our finest trousers and brogues they’ll be Irish phrases galore as we boycott the banshees and really dig the vocabulary of the Emerald Isle. As always, Susie will furnish us with her fantastic trio of interesting or underused words and Gyles offers advice on how to stay young… A Somethin’ Else production. If you have a question for Gyles and Susie then please email us on [email protected]. Susie’s Trio: Half-pace - a small landing between two half flights in a staircase Riparian - relating to or situated on the banks of a river Imbroglio - a confused or complicated situation Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Have you ever given a second thought to where the brands we use every day got their names from? Well we have! And we’re here to share our findings with you. Staying very much ‘on brand’ we’ll be revealing the history behind PG Tips, the fantasy of Fanta, and how a sibling rivalry in Germany spawned two of the globe’s biggest sports brands. We’ll ‘play well’ with our Lego, unpack our IKEA, and find out how a Welsh harpist (may have) had a hand in one of our most recognisable breakfast brands. As always, Susie will be arming us with a trio of words to pepper into conversation this week and Gyles will be inspiring us all with how to avoid being miserable. A Somethin’ Else production. If you want to get in touch with Brand Purple please do: [email protected] Susie’s Trio: Nikehedonia - the pleasure of the anticipation of success Xertz - the act of gulping something down quickly Jentacular - relating to breakfast Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

It’s time to delve into the inbox once again and dedicate a whole episode to answering your queries that come in each week. A massive thank you to all you Purple People for keeping us on our toes… if there’s something word-related that has been puzzling you then please do the same as Sammy, Dave, Cat, Rebecca and many more by emailing us at [email protected]. They asked: where does the term ‘grockle’ come from? Why would someone be the ‘spitting image’ of another? All will be revealed as we hole up in ‘a/an hotel’ whilst telling ‘Jack Robinson’ to ‘sling his hook’… A Somethin’ Else Production. Susie’s Trio: Shackbaggerly - slovenly Causey-webs - a person who neglects his/her work to hang out on the street Whindling - putting on a voice to convince your boss you are ill Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

What-ho Purple People! This week we’re ‘up to the eyebrows’ and having a good old ‘chortle’ at some of the words introduced to the English language by authors. Prepare to be ‘bedazzled’ by this ‘unputdownable’ episode where we’ll be looking into the inventions of PG Wodehouse, Lewis Carroll, Joseph Heller and many more, as well as hopefully avoiding falling into a ‘honeytrap’ or getting stuck in a ‘Catch-22’. Oh and we’ll reveal the origin of the word ‘podcast’ too. As always we’ll be answering the always fantastic emails you’ve been sending into us, Susie will expand our vocabulary with her weekly trio of words, and Gyles will leave us feeling inspired with his quotation of the week. Pip Pip! Susie’s trio: Shoulder-clapper: someone who is unnecessarily friendly and overfamiliar Ratiocinator: someone who reasons logically Dutch Feast: a party at which the host gets drunk before the guests A Somethin’ Else production. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

This week we’re taking a little downtime and exploring the language behind some well-known hobbies and pastimes. Do you know your ‘aggie' from your ‘slag'? Your ‘taw' from your ‘duck'? Don’t worry, we haven’t lost our marbles but rather we’ll be playing with them. Plus we’ll be getting our binoculars out, having a little twitch, and attempting to finally 'grill' that ‘blocker'. And, if that wasn’t exhausting enough, we’re hitting the green to find out the meanings of ‘flub', ‘whiff', and ‘shank' on the golf course, hopefully avoiding an 'Arthur Scargill' and a 'fried egg' along the way… It’s tiring work taking it easy! As always Susie will be wowing us with her useful trio of words for the week, and we discover Gyles’ impressive history in the world of board games… and why his family might be responsible for the wild parakeets in West London… Susie’s trio: Shivviness - the feeling of discomfort when wearing new underwear Scuddling - to run with affected haste Razzle - to cook something until the outside of it burns, while the inside remains raw A Somethin’ Else production. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Rise and shine, Purple People! This week we're getting rather spiritual and delving into the majesty of the King James Bible, a book which, despite being written over 400-years ago still runs deep through our modern-day language and phraseology. So, at the risk of the "blind leading the blind", “rise and shine” and join us as we “go the extra mile”, hopefully arriving in the “land of nod” before we’re all “at our wit’s end”. We also go through some of your fantastic emails, Susie provides us with three useful words to take into your week and, as well as providing his weekly quote, Gyles reminisces about the times he’s spent in churches over the years. A Somethin’ Else production. Susie’s Trio: Cackletub - slang term for a church pulpit Gloppenment - a feeling of surprise or astonishment Tatterwallop - an untidy or slovenly person If you have a question for Gyles and Susie please email [email protected]. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

You’re nicked! This week we’re playing Cops and Robbers and chasing down the origins of words and phrases on both sides of the law. Find out who gave us the terms Bobbies and Peelers, why you should respect an Onion, and what to do if you come across a Black Rat. On the other side of the cell door, on account of our kirtling, we’ll be rolling up the Veras, pouring ourselves a weak diesel and watching the custard, away from the watchful eye of the kangas… As always Susie will be giving us her handy trio of words and Gyles will be lifting our spirits with his quote for the week… as well as detailing the downsides of his new electric car. A Somethin’ Else production. Susie’s Trio: Grumbletonian - a person who is often discontented and taken to grumbling Cuddle-me-buff - beer Haplology - the omission of one occurrence of a sound or syllable which is repeated within a word If you have a question for Gyles and Susie please email [email protected] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Wotcha! Hi! Hello! How are you? Good to meet you! And how do you do my lovely bag puddings and flittermice? Welcome to this weeks' purple podcast... For the second of our live shows in front of a wonderful audience of Purple People we're talking about greetings, terms of endearment and, in the second half, affectionate terms for your meat-and-two-veg or your cupid's warehouse... (warning: explicit content!). Plus we take lots of questions from the lovely listeners in the room. A Somethin' Else production Susie's Trio: Slubberdegullian - a slob Rambunctious - boisterous Acnestis - the part of your back you can't reach to scratch If you have a question for Gyles and Susie please email [email protected] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

This week is our first ever show recorded in front of a LIVE audience. In front of a packed room of Purple People at the Islington Assembly Hall in London, Gyles and Susie discuss their love of words and their individual “word journeys”. Susie runs through some of her favourite etymologies like Buxom, Scurryfunge and Halcyon. Gyles reveals his New Year Resolutions and gives us a run down of the longest, shortest, most common and most liked words in the English language. As a real treat we get to answer the Purple People’s questions with them there in the room and, as always, Susie has her trio of words for you to take into the week. We also have an exciting announcement regarding your next tea break… get your very own Something Rhymes With Purple mug here: https://purple.backstreetmerch.com/ A Somethin’ Else production Susie’s Trio: Nudnik - a pestering, nagging, or irritating person; a bore Propinquity - the state of being close to someone or something Obabmbulate - to walk about or wander If you have a question for Gyles and Susie please email [email protected] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Here at Something Rhymes With Purple we now have our very own mugs! Susie and Gyles are big fans, and you will be too! Pick up your very own Something Rhymes With Purple mug here: https://purple.backstreetmerch.com/ Happy drinking! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

This week we’re playing the name game! Following on from our recent episode on surnames and nominative determinism, we’re now casting our eye over first names. What do they mean? What are their origins? Do they reflect your personality or does your personality change to suit your name? So whether you’re a Gyles, Dexter, George, Charity, Faith, or a Harper, join us in finding out what’s in a name… As usual we’ll be answering questions you’ve sent in via Twitter and email and Susie will be serving up her trio of words for the week. A Somethin’ Else production Susie’s trio: Ultracrepidarian - somebody who gives opinions on matters way above their knowledge Quidnunc - an inquisitive and gossipy person Kiddlywink - an old Cornish word for a pub or ale house If you’d like to get in touch with a question for Susie and Gyles for a future episode, mail [email protected]. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Taxi!! This week we’re giving you a ride through the world of cabbie vernacular. We’re testing our Knowledge, taking you through the Oranges & Lemons right up to the Gasworks. But you better not be a Butter Boy taking advantage of this leather-arse who’s on a Churchill… A Somethin’ Else production Susie’s Trio: Beeking - to bask in the sun or the warmth of the fire Nurdle - the perfect swoosh of toothpaste on a toothpaste advert Dasypygal - having hairy buttocks If you’d like to get in touch with a question for Susie and Gyles for a future episode, email [email protected]. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

It’s Christmaaaaaaaas! This week we’re vamping it up and delving into festive language, discovering the origins of Boxing Day, why a punch packs a punch, and why a partridge in a pear tree might not be the blessing it first seems. And to get you through the Christmas break Gyles has a few games up his sleeve… Happy Christmas one and all. A Somethin’ Else production. Susie’s trio: Gymnologise - to have an argument in the nude Eye-servant - someone who only works when the boss is looking Phrontistery - a place for contemplation If you’d like to get in touch with a question for Susie and Gyles for a future episode, email [email protected] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

This week we’re doing some last-minute shopping and trying not to act like a couple of bulls in a china shop. We’ll be discussing the various theories behind the origin of Black Friday, why a shop is called a shop, why a high street is high, and differentiating between haggling and bartering. We also be learning about the connection between counters and computers and the difference between a BOGOF and a BOBFOC. As always we’ll be answering some of your excellent emails and having some fun with puns in a new word game. A Somethin’ Else production. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

This week Gyles and Susie go tit for tat, giving as good as they get in hurling some creative insults at each other. From the Shakespearean to the sublime they relish in finding out the origins behind calling someone a ‘fopdoodle’, a ‘dandyprat’, and a ‘mugwump’. And, ahead of this week’s General Election, Susie revisits a couple of choice political insults for you to slip into any debates that might arise. A Somethin’ Else production. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices