The Meaning Of Liff At 30. Image shows from L to R: Douglas Adams, John Lloyd. Copyright: BBC
The Meaning Of Liff At 30

The Meaning Of Liff At 30

  • Radio documentary
  • BBC Radio 4
  • 2013
  • 1 episode

A programme marking the 30th anniversary of Dogulas Adams and John Lloyd's dictionary of things there should be a word for but aren't - with new liffs. Features John Lloyd, Sanjeev Bhaskar, Terry Jones, Steven Pinker, Stephen Fry and Matt Lucas

Key details

Genre
Documentary
Broadcast
2013
Channel
BBC Radio 4
Episodes
1
Creators
Douglas Adams and John Lloyd
Features
John Lloyd, Sanjeev Bhaskar, Terry Jones, Steven Pinker, Stephen Fry and Matt Lucas
Producers
Beth O'Dea
Company

2013 marks the 30th anniversary of the publication of The Meaning of Liff, by John Lloyd and Douglas Adams. This funny and well-loved dictionary uses place names as new definitions for common experiences which we all know and recognise, but for which no words exist.

John Lloyd talks to Matt Lucas about his love of Liff, and gathers new entries from the Radio 4 audience. These are chewed over and sifted down by John and fellow judges Sanjeev Bhaskar, Helen Fielding and Terry Jones.

John also shares the bizarre and wonderful story of how he and Douglas came to write The Meaning of Liff - much of it in Donna Summer's beach house.

And Professor Steven Pinker - Liff devotee - talks about the psychological relief and sense of bonding that comes from recognising that you're not alone in having these thoughts and feelings.

Additional details

Production
Studio

Website links

Broadcast details

First broadcast
Thursday 28th February 2013 at 11:30am on BBC Radio 4
Episode length
30 minutes
All previous repeats
  • Saturday 13th September 2014 at 2:00pm on Radio 4 Extra

Share this page