Something Rhymes with Purple

Latest Episodes:

Pissabed Dec 03, 2019

Show notes

This week is all about YOU the listener. We go through loads of your (much appreciated) emails to debate the origins of phrases like By Hook or By Crook, discuss the myriad alternative definitions of the word ‘growler’, and unveil the bizarre connection between lions’ teeth and wetting the bed… We also reveal the origins of the words ‘correspond’ and ‘letter’, explain what CC on an email means and highlight the importance of little snails and monkeys’ tails in online correspondence. A Somethin’ Else production. Susie’s trio: Cherubimical - described someone who is a happy drunk Jamais vu - “never seen” (the opposite of deja vu); the feeling of never having encountered something despite being familiar with it Lickpenny - something that uses up large amounts of money If you’d like to get in touch with a question for Susie and Gyles for a future episode, email purple@somethinelse.com.

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Hysteria Nov 26, 2019

Show notes

This week we’re going hysterical for medical terms. We’ll be turning our lexicographical X-Ray machine on and diagnosing the etymology of everything from asphyxia to syringe. Join us to discover Descartes' link to the X-Ray, what a Hippocratic face looks like, and exactly where an obstetrician should stand. We also ‘toady-up’ to the quack and sing the praises of the sturdy thrush. A Somethin’ Else production.

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Grog-blossom Nov 19, 2019

Show notes

Today we’re practicing the toilet arts and taking a trip through the language of beauty. We cover up our mouse-marks and grog-blossoms with lashings of ham-fat, bicker over our bikinis, and debate whether being buxom is an upstairs or a downstairs issue. Gyles also reveals his 'Tommy Two-ways side' and Susie wraps everything up in a nutshell.

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Nemophilism Nov 12, 2019

Show notes

This week we’re going al fresco and kicking the leaves on an autumnal walk through the woods. We discuss the difference between woods and forests and the connection between forests and foreigners.

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Cacafuego Nov 05, 2019

Show notes

Today we’re shaking a leg. We’ve already talked about the language of the body from the head to the chest. Now we’re going down below.

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Gobelinus Oct 29, 2019

Show notes

Wooooooo, it’s our Halloween Special! Susie and Gyles go on the hunt for the spooky meanings lurking beneath our language. Featuring fairies, oafs, seeing gremlins, the origin of wicked, evil spirits eating the flesh of corpses, grave robbers, the origin of abracadabra, phalluses diverting the attention of the evil eye and haunted lemurs. A Somethin’ Else production.

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Haddaway Oct 22, 2019

Show notes

We’re talking sports this week. What have boxing, horse racing and dart throwing done for the English language?

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Cachinnator Oct 15, 2019

Show notes

The words introduced to our language by poets. Featuring nerds, meeting T.S. Eliot, measuring your life in coffee spoons, runcible spoons, the bobowler, Chaucer on Twitter, pandemonium, tripping the light fantastic, limericks, fools rushing in, feeling like a gooseberry and some poetry from our listeners.

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Podiacide Oct 08, 2019

Show notes

The hidden vocabulary of the body (part 1: from the head to the chest). Featuring dishevelled hair, raised eyebrows, gorgeous thoats, men in bras, Frans Titslinger, hedgehog hair, the origin of the apple of your eye, the skin of your teeth, nosy park keepers, chips on your shoulder, the cold shoulder and the albatross around your neck.

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Thunderplump Oct 01, 2019

Show notes

We’re talking about the weather today. Not because we have nothing to say. In fact, it’s quite the opposite.

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