

Something Rhymes with Purple
Sony Music Entertainment
Susie Dent and Gyles Brandreth invite you to enhance your vocabulary, uncover the hidden origins of language and share their love of words in this award-winning podcast.
We love hearing from you, find us @SomethingRhymes on Twitter and Facebook, @SomethingRhymesWith on Instagram or you can email us here: purple@somethinelse.com
Want more Purple, people? Join the Purple Plus Club by clicking the banner in Apple podcasts or by heading to purpleplusclub.com to listen on other platforms for ad-free listening, and not 1 but 2 episodes of the show every week.
You can buy our branded mugs, tote bags and T-shirts here: https://bit.ly/37huhqs
A Sony Music Entertainment production.
Find more great podcasts from Sony Music Entertainment at sonymusic.com/podcasts
To bring your brand to life in this podcast, email podcastadsales@sonymusic.com
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
We love hearing from you, find us @SomethingRhymes on Twitter and Facebook, @SomethingRhymesWith on Instagram or you can email us here: purple@somethinelse.com
Want more Purple, people? Join the Purple Plus Club by clicking the banner in Apple podcasts or by heading to purpleplusclub.com to listen on other platforms for ad-free listening, and not 1 but 2 episodes of the show every week.
You can buy our branded mugs, tote bags and T-shirts here: https://bit.ly/37huhqs
A Sony Music Entertainment production.
Find more great podcasts from Sony Music Entertainment at sonymusic.com/podcasts
To bring your brand to life in this podcast, email podcastadsales@sonymusic.com
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Episodes
Mentioned books

Jul 23, 2024 • 36min
Thank You and Farewell!
The hosts bid a heartfelt farewell to their audience after an amazing 5-year journey. They discuss listener correspondence, unique words like 'optriculum' and 'discumgalligumfricated', and share a poetic quote from The Tempest. Thanking their loyal fans, the hosts express gratitude and reflect on the podcast's impact.

Jul 16, 2024 • 44min
Portcullis
Delve into the enchanting realm of castles as the hosts explore their historical significance and recent legal changes allowing weddings at these majestic venues. Discover the etymology of terms like 'castle' and 'portcullis,' enriched with playful anecdotes highlighting the evolution of language. Enjoy touching reflections on achievements, community, and memorable moments from events like the Trooping the Colour ceremony. Join in as the hosts invite listener participation and share humorous stories tied to art and language, making for a delightful experience!

Jul 9, 2024 • 38min
Sorbetto
Dive into a delightful adventure around ice cream! Discover the fascinating history behind flavor names and enjoy heartwarming tales from Yorkshire. Relive cherished memories with beloved treats and indulge in playful discussions about the quirks of language. From community connections with listeners to deep reflections on love and loss in poetry, the conversation seamlessly blends nostalgia with humor. Don't miss the delightful anecdotes and heartfelt exchanges that make this exploration of frozen delights truly memorable!

Jul 2, 2024 • 38min
Elixir
Dive into the enchanting world of alchemy with insights on transformation, healing, and the mysterious connection between ancient practices and modern language. Discover the whimsical origins of words like 'elixir' and 'fridge,' revealing their unexpected stories and connections to branding. Laugh along as the hosts share humorous anecdotes and cultural curiosities, including the intriguing tale behind 'genie.' Plus, enjoy a delightful poem that reflects on life's journey, partnerships, and the joy of language.

Jun 25, 2024 • 35min
Hades
This week, Susie and Gyles explore the fiery (under)world of Hell. Join us as we unpack the infernal regions, a place of torment for the wicked after death.
We love hearing from you, find us @SomethingRhymes on Twitter and Facebook, @SomethingRhymesWith on Instagram or you can email us on our email address here: purplepeople@somethingrhymes.com
Want even more purple, people? Join the Purple Plus Club by clicking the banner in Apple podcasts or head to purpleplusclub.com to listen on other platforms'
Don’t forget that you can join us in person at our upcoming tour, tap the link to find tickets: www.somethingrhymeswithpurple.com
Enjoy Susie’s Trio for the week:
Accismus: The feigned refusal of something you really want.
Redeless: Destitute of counsel - lacking advice.
Vilipend: To condemn or despise.
Gyles' poem this week was 'Tender-heartedness' by Harry Graham
Billy, in one of his nice new sashes,
Fell in the fire and was burned to ashes;
Now, although the room grows chilly,
I haven't the heart to poke poor Billy.
A Sony Music Entertainment production.
Find more great podcasts from Sony Music Entertainment at sonymusic.com/podcasts
To bring your brand to life in this podcast, email podcastadsales@sonymusic.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jun 18, 2024 • 33min
Nirvana
This week, Susie and Gyles explore heaven. Join us as we uncover the historical, linguistic, and cultural roots of this divine subject.
We love hearing from you, find us @SomethingRhymes on Twitter and Facebook, @SomethingRhymesWith on Instagram or you can email us on our email address here: purplepeople@somethingrhymes.com
Want even more purple, people? Join the Purple Plus Club by clicking the banner in Apple podcasts or head to purpleplusclub.com to listen on other platforms'
Don’t forget that you can join us in person at our upcoming tour, tap the link to find tickets: www.somethingrhymeswithpurple.com
Enjoy Susie’s Trio for the week:
Splurgundy (Australian English): Sparkling burgundy.
Scrouge: To encroach on someone’s personal space.
Sardonian: One who flatters with deadly intent.
Gyles' poem this week was 'Where We Began' by Irving Berlin
Heaven, I'm in heaven
And my heart beats so that I can hardly speak
And I seem to find the happiness I seek
When we're out together dancing, cheek to cheek
Heaven, I'm in heaven
And the cares that hung around me through the week
Seem to vanish like a gambler's lucky streak
When we're out together dancing, cheek to cheek
Oh, I love to climb a mountain
And to reach the highest peak
But it doesn't thrill me half as much
As dancing cheek to cheek
Oh, I love to go out fishing
In a river or a creek
But I don't enjoy it half as much
As dancing cheek to cheek
Dance with me
I want my arm about you
The charm about you
Will carry me through to Heaven
A Sony Music Entertainment production.
Find more great podcasts from Sony Music Entertainment at sonymusic.com/podcasts
To bring your brand to life in this podcast, email podcastadsales@sonymusic.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jun 11, 2024 • 40min
Garbelage
This week Susie and Gyles are talking dirty. No, not in that way, get your head out of the gutter... Literally.
Join us as we explore where words such as 'trash', 'garbage', 'litter' and 'trash' originate from.
So tune in and let's talk all kinds of rubbish together!
We love hearing from you, find us @SomethingRhymes on Twitter and Facebook, @SomethingRhymesWith on Instagram or you can email us on our email address here: purplepeople@somethingrhymes.com
Want even more purple, people? Join the Purple Plus Club by clicking the banner in Apple podcasts or head to purpleplusclub.com to listen on other platforms'
Don’t forget that you can join us in person at our upcoming tour, tap the link to find tickets: www.somethingrhymeswithpurple.com
Enjoy Susie’s Trio for the week:
Rumptydooler: Something excellent.
(rattlers, rippers, ripsnorters, roarers, clinkers, corkers, fizzers, screamers, sneezers, hummers, dingers, humdingers, and rumptydoolers
Solivagant: Wandering alone.
Nod-crafty: Having the knack of nodding the head with an air of great understanding, when you actually tuned out ages ago.
Gyles' poem this week was 'If I Can Stop One Heart from Breaking' by Emily Dickinson
If I can stop one heart from breaking,
I shall not live in vain;
If I can ease one life the aching,
Or cool one pain,
Or help one fainting robin
Unto his nest again,
I shall not live in vain.
A Sony Music Entertainment production.
Find more great podcasts from Sony Music Entertainment at sonymusic.com/podcasts
To bring your brand to life in this podcast, email podcastadsales@sonymusic.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jun 4, 2024 • 40min
Sabana
This week, Susie and Gyles embark on an exciting journey into the wild as we delve into the history and evolution of all things 'safari'. Discover how this term, rooted in Swahili and Arabic, has traveled through time and across continents to become synonymous with adventure and exploration.
We love hearing from you, find us @SomethingRhymes on Twitter and Facebook, @SomethingRhymesWith on Instagram or you can email us on our email address here: purplepeople@somethingrhymes.com
Want even more purple, people? Join the Purple Plus Club by clicking the banner in Apple podcasts or head to purpleplusclub.com to listen on other platforms'
Don’t forget that you can join us in person at our upcoming tour, tap the link to find tickets: www.somethingrhymeswithpurple.com
Enjoy Susie’s Trio for the week:
Catillate: To lick the dish.
Phubbing: Using your phone in social situations.
Blandish: To cajole or to gently flatter.
Gyles' poem this week was 'The Tyger' by William Blake
Tyger Tyger, burning bright,
In the forests of the night;
What immortal hand or eye,
Could frame thy fearful symmetry?
In what distant deeps or skies.
Burnt the fire of thine eyes?
On what wings dare he aspire?
What the hand, dare seize the fire?
And what shoulder, & what art,
Could twist the sinews of thy heart?
And when thy heart began to beat.
What dread hand? & what dread feet?
What the hammer? what the chain,
In what furnace was thy brain?
What the anvil? what dread grasp.
Dare its deadly terrors clasp?
When the stars threw down their spears
And water'd heaven with their tears:
Did he smile his work to see?
Did he who made the Lamb make thee?
Tyger Tyger burning bright,
In the forests of the night:
What immortal hand or eye,
Dare frame thy fearful symmetry?
A Sony Music Entertainment production.
Find more great podcasts from Sony Music Entertainment at sonymusic.com/podcasts
To bring your brand to life in this podcast, email podcastadsales@sonymusic.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

May 28, 2024 • 34min
Saudade
This week, we're unraveling the sentimental journey behind the word 'nostalgia'. Join Susie and Gyles on a linguistic journey through time, where every word is a portal to the past.
Enjoy Susie’s Trio for the week:
Desiderate: To yearn for something one once had but has now lost.
Listicle: Simply, a little list!
Natsukashii: A Japanese word used when something evokes a fond memory from your past and that is enough in itself.
Gyles' poem this week was 'Growing Old ' by Nanette Newman:
Growing old is like a career
only a career you didn’t train for
you didn’t expect
and you certainly didn’t want.
This ‘new’ career – creeps up on you
And surprises you.
For instance
You find yourself saying new lines, like
‘Everything looks a bit blurry’
‘Why do my legs hurt me?’
‘Why do my arms have flabby bits?’
‘Why can’t I run any more?’
‘Why do people speak so quietly?’
‘Why is my iPad such a mystery?’
(even though my six-year-old Grandson has shown me how to work it ‘ten’ times)
And ‘why do people hide my house keys?’
Also you suppose this New career (Growing Old) is going to
Have a long run, but
Showbusiness being what it is
It could come to a sudden end
(but perhaps best not to think about that).
Anyway - if it does run -
You hope the notices are ‘good’
Critics might say ‘you look good for your age’
But - this is not the role you’d chosen to play.
Anyway it seems you’re stuck with it
And let's face it you have been rehearsing for it for many years!
When you think about it
There’s a bit of ‘Agatha Christie’ about
This new part - for instance
Skirts hanging in the wardrobe
Suddenly get smaller
Round the waist -
Something mysterious changes
The colour of your hair
Chairs try and hold on to you - so that
You can’t get out of them
Why is print smaller?
Why do you look forward
to a hot water bottle at night?
(that’s definitely climate change)
Also, what is filling your body with liquid –
So that you have to pee all night?
(This definitely needs more research).
Your new career
‘Being Old’
Has a long list of questions
Surrounding it - to be
Honest – the part is not
Really very well written –
And doesn’t have much
Appeal – ( no wonder Judi Dench turned it down).
You ask yourself
Is the character you
Are now going to play
Wiser? – no – I don’t think so
Funnier? Only unintentionally
Like – when you forget
Where you’re going – or
Throw your arms round
The plumber, because
You thought he was your
Friend's husband, come
Round because he’d
Found your glasses.
Anyway, how long you’ll be
Playing this part
(You don’t want to play)
You’ve no idea.
You don’t feel the
Rehearsals have been
‘long enough’.
Some of the cast
(the even older members
Have already left the
Production) –
You miss them.
So – this is a step
into the unknown
in your ‘new career’
a new part to play.
Will it have a ‘long run’?
Who knows
But there you go
‘That’s Showbusiness’
So – Here we are.
A Sony Music Entertainment production.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

May 21, 2024 • 31min
Pizzicato
Take a rhythmic journey through the history of jazz, exploring the evolution of jazz terminology and the origins of ragtime music. Discover the transformation of slang terms in the jazz age and delve into the art of listening to jazz. Unveil the origins of musical expressions like 'pulling out all the stops' and explore the poetry of jazz and its spiritual response.