Lateral with Tom Scott

In this lively discussion, Ria Lina, a stand-up comedian with a PhD in virology, offers hilariously offbeat insights into selfless speeding and the peculiarities of promotional curries. Comedian Alasdair Beckett-King shares his wit by diving into sausage-nunchuck controversies, while Iszi Lawrence, a historical children's author, uncovers the amusing story behind the restoration of Brontë diacritics. Together, they create a delightful tapestry of humor, history, and quirky inquiries live from the Clapham Grand!

Join Caroline Roper, a witty podcaster, and Ella Hubber and Tom Lum, both co-hosts of Let's Learn Everything, as they dive into quirky questions. They unravel the clever loophole that allowed banned light bulbs to be sold as heaters, and discuss why silly string was shipped for military use. Discover the passionate origin of 'cut sleeve' and learn about the March spike in vasectomies coinciding with NCAA madness. Plus, explore a pencil that preserves prime numbers and the amusing mix-up at Louisville's famous bat.

Jack Chambers and Manu Henriot, food history enthusiasts from the Lunchbox Envy podcast, join Tom Scott for a delightful discussion. They explore quirky topics like how nightly fireworks affected mango harvests at World Expo 88. Manu dives into a fun workplace ritual where forgetting to lock your computer results in buying donuts for colleagues. The group also shares amusing stories about a pizza shop's unexpected role in tech and a clever sign flip by Greggs to ensure festive selfies are picture-perfect.

Join Jay Foreman, a witty YouTuber and geography enthusiast, along with Mark Cooper-Jones, his collaborator in mapping humor, and physicist Mithuna Yoganathan, who dives into quantum mechanics. They explore fascinating topics like P.T. Barnum’s grand elephant parade, the quirks of retronyms, and the story behind the unplayable record of 'Gangsters.' Laugh along as they untangle the confusion of cool cash scratch cards and explain why East African motorcycle taxis are called boda bodas.

Hannah Crosbie, a witty wine critic, joins DIY dynamic duo Evan and Katelyn Heling for a fun-filled discussion. They dive into quirky topics like the animation tricks behind Huckleberry Hound's bow tie and the fascinating idea of 'lightning in a bottle' from Philo Farnsworth. There's a hilarious analysis of a flawed survey on submarine licenses and the innovative 'pop minder' ceramic coin designed for visually impaired cooks. They also explore outrageous sauna clubs at the poles and a quirky campaign in Nagoya that promotes safety with giant foam hands.

Join Taha Khan, Sabrina Cruz, and Melissa Fernandes from Answer in Progress as they dive into delightful curiosities. Discover how broccoli served as a practical bouquet at the Olympics and why thermal cameras sparked redesigns of card terminals. Learn about using film canisters for bird weighing and hear the heartwarming tale of a dugong who found cheer in celebrity waxworks during lockdown. Their whimsical explorations unleash laughter and intriguing insights that will leave you pondering the oddities of life!

Join Tom Lum, Ella Hubber, and Caroline Roper from 'Let's Learn Everything!' as they tackle quirky lateral puzzles with humor and wit. They discuss why Slayer fans often bought two copies of an album and reveal a curious connection between chess and a sum of $4.76. Caroline shares a hilarious breakup video involving a modified MacBook, while the crew solves a train puzzle that leads to a surprising amusement-park twist. This lively banter is filled with unexpected insights and delightful anecdotes!

Michelle Wong, Dani Siller and Bill Sunderland face questions about mobile materials, Swedish signage and anonymous athletes. LATERAL is a comedy panel game podcast about weird questions with wonderful answers, hosted by Tom Scott. For business enquiries, contestant appearances or question submissions, visit https://lateralcast.com. HOST: Tom Scott. QUESTION PRODUCER: David Bodycombe. EDITED BY: Julie Hassett at The Podcast Studios, Dublin. MUSIC: Karl-Ola Kjellholm ('Private Detective'/'Agrumes', courtesy of epidemicsound.com). ADDITIONAL QUESTIONS: Rhett Buzon, Peter Gould, CherimoyaZest, Chris Clarke, Adrian Martin, Dylan K., Alan Reep. FORMAT: Pad 26 Limited/Labyrinth Games Ltd. EXECUTIVE PRODUCERS: David Bodycombe and Tom Scott. © Pad 26 Limited (https://www.pad26.com) / Labyrinth Games Ltd. 2025. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Join Jack Chambers, producer and host of the Lunchbox Envy podcast, alongside Manu Henriot, a fellow team member, as they dive into quirky food-related trivia. They discuss the whimsical tradition of Hershey Bears fans throwing stuffed toys for charity and reminisce about 1923’s Year of Free Beef due to a roadside mishap. The conversation takes a comical twist with a Swedish aviator dropping lemons as a bizarre bombing demo in Norway. Plus, find out why croque madame has a fried egg, offering a savory peek into culinary tales!

Join comedy writer Jay Foreman and co-host Mark Cooper-Jones of the Map Men as they delve into quirky geographical trivia. They tackle puzzling questions like why aircraft landing precision was compromised and the inspiration behind a spy-themed room in Dubai. Physics expert Mithuna Yoganathan adds a scientific twist, exploring the implications of colorful artillery markers from historical battles. The trio also discusses unique church pew designs that accommodate different denominations, ensuring a blend of humor and insight throughout!