The Allusionist

‘Idle’, ‘trivial’, ‘scurrilous’: the word ‘gossip’ is often accompanied by uncomplimentary adjectives. But don’t dismiss it; from childbirth to Hollywood to political analysis to whisper networks, gossip may be more useful and serious than you realise. Lainey Lui, founder of laineygossip.com, and Buzzfeed News’ senior culture writer (and doctor of celebrity gossip) Anne Helen Petersen explain why. Find out more about this episode at . NB there are a few swears in this episode. The Allusionist's online home is . The Allusionist is a proud member of Radiotopia from PRX, a collective of the finest podcasts on the interwaves. Find them all at . In January 2019, the Allusionist is sponsored by: • for a free trial, and use the code ALLUSION to get 10% off your first purchase of a website or domain. • or download the Babbel app. • .

If you wince when you hear someone say “a whole nother level”, “hone in on” or “right from the gecko”, here’s some bad news: you might have to get used to it. The English language is full of words and expressions that were mistakes that stuck around. Countdown’s Susie Dent holds our hands and takes us on a tour of misspellings, mishearings, scrambled letters and bear cubs. In the new Minillusionist at the end of the episode, we’re back on your favourite subject: swearing! And why the blazes are there all these fake acronym etymologies for swears? Find out more about this episode at . Follow Susie Dent on Twitter for regular doses of etymology, and to keep up with her writing and tour dates. The Allusionist's online home is . The Allusionist is a proud member of Radiotopia from PRX, a collective of the finest podcasts on the interwaves. Find them all at . In January 2019, the Allusionist is sponsored by: • for a free trial, and use the code ALLUSION to get 10% off your first purchase of a website or domain. • or download the Babbel app.

For a bit of fun to celebrate Radiotopia’s 2018 fundraiser, this episode is a wordy quiz for you to play along with as you listen. Get a pen and paper, or fill in your answers online at . Also! I’ve put together an Allusionist print-at-home puzzle book, featuring a wordsearch, crossword, some jollity with portmanteaus, eponyms and scandals ending in -gate. It’s available exclusively if you donate any amount to Radiotopia’s 2018 fundraiser from now until it ends on 21 December 2018. Let me reiterate: ANY amount, from $1 to $∞! Head to to get your puzzles. Let me know how you fare in the quiz and puzzles at . The show will be back on 23 January 2019. For all Allusionist episodes, extra material, transcripts, event listings etc, visit . The Allusionist is a member of Radiotopia from PRX, a collective of the best podcasts on the interwaves. Hear all the shows at .

Throughout the year, the people who appear on the Allusionist tell me a lot of interesting stuff. Not all of which is relevant to the episode they initially appeared in, so I stash it away in preparation for this moment: the annual bonus episode! Get ready for gory 19th century London slang, the rise and fall of superhero capes, the post-WW1 trend for nudism, and more. Find out more about this episode at . There is one swear in this episode. The Allusionist is a member of Radiotopia from PRX, a collective of the best podcasts on the interwaves. Hear all the shows at . The Allusionist’s online home is Thanks to today’s sponsors: SQUARESPACE. Design and run a website with ease using Squarespace. Go to squarespace.com/allusion for a free trial, and for 10% off your first purchase of a website or domain, use the code ALLUSION. MYTHOLOGIES. Subscribe to the new Mythologies podcast from Parcast in your podblaster of choice, or find it at parcast.com/mythology.

Jim Glaub and Dylan Parker didn’t think too much of it when, every year, a few letters were delivered to their New York apartment addressed to Santa. But then one year, 400 letters arrived. And they decided they had to answer them. Find out more about this episode at to learn more about the nonprofit Jim and Dylan now run, donate, and get involved. The Allusionist is a member of Radiotopia from PRX, a collective of the best podcasts on the interwaves. Hear all the shows at . The Allusionist’s online home is Today’s episode is sponsored by Care/Of, a monthly subscription service that delivers personalised vitamin packs to your door. It’s like an advent calendar full of health supplements! For 25% off your first month of personalised Care/of vitamins, visit TakeCareOf.com and enter the discount code ALLUSIONIST.