Wordaholics
- Radio panel show
- BBC Radio 4
- 2012 - 2014
- 18 episodes (3 series)
Radio 4 panel game that tests the guests linguistic knowledge. Hosted by Gyles Brandreth, with regular panellist Natalie Haynes. Stars Gyles Brandreth and Natalie Haynes.
Episode menu
Series 3, Episode 4
Further details
Former linguistics student Josh Widdicombe tells us about his favourite West Country words, lexicographer Susie Dent predicts some of the new words that might enter the dictionary this year and astronomy enthusiast Helen Keen reveals her favourite words from the language of outer space.
The letter of the week is 'L'. Josh has to guess what the World War 2 slang term 'latrinogram' meant; Natalie Haynes explains the American expression 'log-rolling'; Susie Dent gets full marks for explaining where the phrase 'limbo dancing' comes from and in a Germanic twist Helen Keen is asked under what circumstances you would act like a 'liver sausage'.
The panellists are asked to invent new words or phrases. Their new offerings include 'Antandecophobia'; 'smellationship'; the 'Josh number' and 'agony hooves'.
In a round about derogatory terms for different occupations Natalie has to guess what a 'nutbuster' is; Susie a 'needle-dodger'; Helen a 'knob thatcher' and Josh a 'honey-dipper'.
They then coin their own terms of abuse including bikopaths, fobslotch, nerds of prey and chattypedia.
Finally the panellists are asked what four Victorian slang terms meant: widdling, muffin-worry, lully-prigger and hock-dockies.
Broadcast details
- Date
- Wednesday 24th September 2014
- Time
- 11:30am
- Channel
- BBC Radio 4
- Length
- 30 minutes
Repeats
Show past repeats
Date | Time | Channel |
---|---|---|
Monday 12th June 2017 | 11:30am | Radio 4 |
Tuesday 28th November 2017 | 4:00pm | Radio 4 Extra |
Wednesday 29th November 2017 | 4:00am | Radio 4 Extra |
Monday 3rd June 2019 | 9:00am | Radio 4 Extra |
Monday 3rd June 2019 | 4:00pm | Radio 4 Extra |
Tuesday 4th June 2019 | 4:00am | Radio 4 Extra |
Friday 27th November 2020 | 9:00am | Radio 4 Extra |
Friday 27th November 2020 | 4:00pm | Radio 4 Extra |
Saturday 28th November 2020 | 4:00am | Radio 4 Extra |
Monday 17th October 2022 | 9:00am | Radio 4 Extra |
Monday 17th October 2022 | 4:00pm | Radio 4 Extra |
Tuesday 18th October 2022 | 4:00am | Radio 4 Extra |
Cast & crew
Gyles Brandreth | Host / Presenter |
Natalie Haynes | Regular Panellist |
Susie Dent | Guest |
Helen Keen | Guest |
Josh Widdicombe | Guest |
Jon Hunter | Writer |
James Kettle | Writer |
Claire Jones | Producer |