Countdown star Susie Dent shares her top 'Untranslatables' - words that can't be translated into English. From Swedish, she introduces a word for the friend that is always late despite saying they'll be on time. Explore untranslatable words from different countries, including German, Danish, and Dutch.

Susie Dent, a beloved lexicographer and etymologist known from Channel 4's Countdown, shares her passion for the English language and its quirks. She discusses her debut crime novel, 'Guilt by Definition,' which cleverly intertwines her love for words and a mysterious disappearance. Dent humorously delves into unique vocabulary and the historical journey of dictionary-making, revealing how everyday people shaped the Oxford English Dictionary. The conversation beautifully highlights language’s evolution and its profound connections to storytelling and crime.

Lexicographer and etymologist Susie Dent discusses German writer Thomas Mann's exploration of family, beauty, and fascism. They dive into Mann's attraction to young boys in his work, his resistance against Nazism, and the complexities of his personal life. The podcast also delves into the themes of temptation, detachment, and artistic struggles in Mann's writing.