

Answer Me This!
Helen and Olly
Helen Zaltzman and Olly Mann host the award-winning podcast that's been answering the world's questions since 2007. New episodes fortnightly - keep us going by supporting us at patreon.com/answermethis. Visit our official site at answermethispodcast.com and buy classic episodes and albums at answermethisstore.com
Episodes
Mentioned books

10 snips
Jan 29, 2026 • 56min
AMT414: Wax Seals, Y2K Songs, and the Butler Doing It
They trace wax seals from ancient use to modern craft and explain the materials and meanings behind them. They compile songs tied to the year 2000 and explore pop and punk reactions to Y2K. They unpack how the butler became mystery shorthand and why the trope stuck. They also share quick tactics for dodging unwanted chat at rowdy retiree lunches.

18 snips
Jan 8, 2026 • 1h 3min
AMT413: Secret marriage, wet Mr Darcy and transparent pie
Discover the quirks of secret marriages and how to break the news to parents. Uncover whether bell-ringing counts as a sport and the origin of 'chess' cake versus transparent pie. Dive into the rich history of Mr. Darcy's wealth and debate the oddities of celebrity coffee shots. Plus, learn about the unique species of Wombles and what to wear on a TV quiz show. The hosts also share their most unusual snack preferences, inviting listeners to join in the fun!

16 snips
Dec 11, 2025 • 23min
Answer Us Back: Naughty Elves and Same-names
Olly shares his newfound enjoyment of Elf On The Shelf, turning it into a playful family tradition. A listener sparks a debate about what qualifies as a variety pack of stock cubes. Stories flood in about the complexities of sharing names, leading to humorous misdirected emails. Heartfelt revelations unfold as listeners recount discovering their donor-conceived roots. The conversation deepens into what truly defines family, blurring the lines between biological ties and chosen connections.

27 snips
Nov 27, 2025 • 1h 2min
AMT412: Widow’s Peaks, Mixtapes and Garlic
Curious about those cozy little hats on Innocent smoothies? Discover their role in charity and creative reuse! Want to know if a mixtape signals romance? The hosts dive into song choices and mixed signals. Ever dealt with email mix-ups from strangers? Get practical tips to handle them. Plus, learn how to increase spice tolerance through gradual exposure, and trace garlic's fascinating origins and uses. Lastly, explore the intriguing history of widow's peaks and their cultural significance. This conversation is both enlightening and entertaining!

9 snips
Nov 13, 2025 • 24min
Answer Us Back: Tiaras and Cadavers
Get ready for some fascinating listener insights! A deep dive into the lyrics of 'Sweet Caroline' sparks a lively debate over the correct version. Tiaras take center stage, with trivia about their history in the Navy and the quirks of formal dress codes. Former medical students share their emotional experiences in anatomy labs, detailing the respect for human donors and the humor that can arise in such settings. It's a mix of nostalgia, learning, and intriguing discussions!

4 snips
Oct 30, 2025 • 56min
AMT 411: Sperm Donation, Snake Charming, and Open Top Bus Parades
Ever wondered if snakes can truly be charmed? The hosts dive into the cultural roots and ethical considerations of this intriguing practice. They also unravel the historical reality of sleeping while sitting up and the emotional journey of discovering a prolific sperm donor in the family. Insights on navigating a mother’s quest to meet countless half-siblings are shared. Plus, the origins of open-top bus parades are explored, shedding light on this festive tradition's fascinating history.

Sep 26, 2025 • 1h 1min
AMT410: Unwanted Tattoos, Cherry Wine and Sexy Old Men
In a piggyback ride, who is the piggy? WHO IS THE PIGGY??? A questioneer simply must know! We also learn about cleaning swimming pools pre-chlorine, fruit wine in song lyrics, TV character crossovers, and telling fibs in a wedding speech.
For more information about this episode visit answermethispodcast.com/episode410.
Got questions for us to answer? Send them in writing or as a voice note to answermethispodcast@googlemail.com, OR - thanks to Adam of SocialComms.uk who has revived our phone number - you can call 0208 123 5877. Next episode will be in your podfeed 30 October 2025 so get your Halloween questions in, or hang onto them for a full year.
Become a patron at patreon.com/answermethis to help with the continuing existence of AMT, and to get an ad-free version of the episode, plus bonus material each month, and our live video question-answering session Petty Problems.
This episode is sponsored by Squarespace, the all in one platform for creating and running your online empire. Go to squarespace.com/answer, have a play around during the two-week free trial, and when you're ready to launch, get a 10% discount on your first purchase of a website or domain with the code ANSWER.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

18 snips
Aug 28, 2025 • 52min
AMT409: Nude Furniture, Cheesecake Factory, and Eating Slugs
In this episode, the hosts tackle whether to hide risqué home decor when kids are visiting and dive into the quirky topic of cemetery ownership. They humorously explore the culinary world of slugs, including potential recipes and a slug festival in California. Conversations also cover the unconventional decorations in homes and children's reactions to them. Plus, they highlight the rise of artist-decorated animals in cities, all while reflecting on the nostalgia of physical music collections versus today's streaming experience.

Jul 31, 2025 • 1h 2min
AMT408: Tiaras, Private Investigators, and the King’s Mucky Gloves
Today’s questioneers want to know, among other things, what private investigators actually do, what happened to Deely Boppers (Deely Bobbers?), how to greet your spouse when you’re attending the same business meeting, how to steer someone to not want to work for you, and how to persuade someone to GTFO of the massage chair at the airport that they’re not getting massaged in.
For more information about this episode, visit answermethispodcast.com/episode408.
Got question for us to answer? Send them in writing or as a voice note to answermethispodcast@googlemail.com. Next episode will be in your podfeed 28 August 2025.
Become a patron at patreon.com/answermethis to help with the continuing existence of AMT, and to get an ad-free version of the episode, plus bonus material culled from the show, and our live video question-answering session Petty Problems, the next edition of which is happening 23 August 2025.
This episode is sponsored by Squarespace, the all in one platform for creating and running your online empire. Go to squarespace.com/answer, have a play around during the two-week free trial, and when you're ready to launch, get a 10% discount on your first purchase of a website or domain with the code ANSWER.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

8 snips
Jun 26, 2025 • 1h 6min
AMT407: Cartoon Anvils, Dating Semi-Celebs, and Lobster Piss
Discover why coffee shops can offer either great coffee or comfy chairs, but not both! Dive into the quirky mating habits of lobsters and the stark contrast between sitcom myths and reality. Unpack the tricky world of MLMs and how to fend off persistent coworkers while keeping good relationships. Explore the cultural significance of anvils in cartoons and navigate the challenges of dating public figures, where maintaining anonymity becomes an art. All this infused with humor and nostalgia!


