Susie Dent

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Nov 19, 2025

Joining Russell Howard is Susie Dent, the brilliant lexicographer known for her expertise on Countdown. They dive into fascinating discussions about the etymology of swear words and the psychological relief of swearing, known as lalochesia. Susie shares charming childhood memories about her beloved pet rock and reveals regional slang like Liverpool's 'twirlies.' With the festive season approaching, she also highlights her new books, celebrating the beauty of language and its untranslatable words. Prepare for a delightful linguistic journey!

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ANECDOTE

Childhood Pet Rock Companion

Susie Dent fondly recalls buying a 1970s pet rock with her pocket money and treating it like a companion.
She kept it by her bedside and later found pet rocks still sold online with playful marketing.

INSIGHT

Swearing Has A Physiological Benefit

Lalochesia names the measurable pain relief and mood boost from swearing appropriately.
Swearing releases endorphins, raises serotonin, and lowers cortisol, giving tangible physiological benefits.

ADVICE

Use Swearing For Personal Relief

Use taboo language privately and situationally to get catharsis and reduce pain.
Avoid aggressive swearing at others; target words for personal relief instead.

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From Countdown's Dictionary Corner it’s Susie Dent!

Susie is here with her Five Brilliant Things and they are as fascinating and vocabulary-expanding as you might hope; but it’s not all words, Susie also tells us about her special relationship with a rock. Is it Dwayne Johnson? You’ll have to listen to the show to find out!

Alongside these revelations Russell and Susie luxuriate in some of the far corners of words and meanings; if you’re even remotely interested in finding out some new language-based tidbits then you won’t be disappointed in here.

And with Christmas fast approaching, here’s some gift ideas for friends and relatives of any age: Susie’s brand new books!

For the younger members of the family Susie’s book ‘The Roots We Share’: Susie has searched far and wide to unearth words and phrases - old, new, and long-forgotten - that celebrate harmony, unity, and the universal languages that connect people across the world. That book can be found HERE.

And for older readers, Susie’s just released ‘Words for Life’. From wabbit to dust bunnies, and from the strange history of arse to the best ways to describe moonlight, Words for Life offers a full year’s supply of verbal vitamins guaranteed to brighten and boost every day. Here you will learn of the Mother-in-Law’s Dream as well as the Yuleshard, and discover expressions that can fix (or at least nail) the problems of modern life, whether dealing with unrequited love or unsatisfactory politicians, eating a whole packet of biscuits or forgetting someone’s name. Grab yours from HERE.

And Russell has just released a whole load of extra dates for his brand new tour show ‘Don’t Tell The Algorithm’. There are shows across the whole UK in 2026: You can book tickets at https://www.russell-howard.co.uk

We also recorded a second show with Susie for our Patreon listeners; there’s a clip at the end of the episode and for fans of the podcast so please have a listen. If you’ve already had a listen and you’re here to find out more…click the link here for ad-free shows, early access and a special extra show just for you every week - have a look!

patreon.com/RussellHoward

Please enjoy the multitudinous gratifications contained within this audio chronicle of lexicography.

I fly!

Producer: Dan Atkinson

Line Producer: Daisy Knight

Exec Producer: James Taylor

Composer: Fat Lady Music

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