Something Rhymes with Purple

Latest Episodes:

Lethologica Jun 16, 2020

Show notes

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.

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Brand new merch! Jun 10, 2020

Show notes

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.

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Edelweiss Jun 09, 2020

Show notes

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…

purple@somethinelse.com

A Somethin' Else production.

Susie’s trio:

Upbigged - built up

Hookem-snivy - fakery or deceit

Percunctorily - lazily.

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Euphuism Jun 02, 2020

Show notes

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.

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Guttersnipes May 26, 2020

Show notes

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 purple@somethinelse.com.

A Somethin' Else production.

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Filer à l'anglaise May 19, 2020

Show notes

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 purple@somethinelse.com 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.

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Yakamoz May 12, 2020

Show notes

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.

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John Doe May 05, 2020

Show notes

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: purple@somethinelse.com 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.

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Alcatraz Apr 28, 2020

Show notes

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.

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By and large Apr 21, 2020

Show notes

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: purple@somethinelse.com. 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.

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