

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

Dec 26, 2023 • 43min
Jollification (Santa Claus)
NOTE: This episode is all about the LEGEND of Santa Claus. We advise you to not listen to this episode around young children.
Ho ho ho! Merry Christmas Purple People! This week join Susie and Gyles as they discuss the legend of Santa Claus, and how this mystical figure has transformed through the decades.
We love hearing from you, find us @SomethingRhymes on Twitter and Facebook, @SomethingRhymesWith on Instagram or you can email us on our NEW 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:
Constellate: The gathering of people in a group.
Emacity: A fondness of buying things.
Erubescent: Red in the face, and a little bit flushed.
Gyles' poem this week was the end of 'A Visit from St. Nicholas' by Clement Clarke Moore
...
Down the chimney St. Nicholas came with a bound.
He was dressed all in fur, from his head to his foot,
And his clothes were all tarnished with ashes and soot;
A bundle of toys he had flung on his back,
And he looked like a pedler just opening his pack.
His eyes—how they twinkled! his dimples, how merry!
His cheeks were like roses, his nose like a cherry!
His droll little mouth was drawn up like a bow,
And the beard on his chin was as white as the snow;
The stump of a pipe he held tight in his teeth,
And the smoke, it encircled his head like a wreath;
He had a broad face and a little round belly
That shook when he laughed, like a bowl full of jelly.
He was chubby and plump, a right jolly old elf,
And I laughed when I saw him, in spite of myself;
A wink of his eye and a twist of his head
Soon gave me to know I had nothing to dread;
He spoke not a word, but went straight to his work,
And filled all the stockings; then turned with a jerk,
And laying his finger aside of his nose,
And giving a nod, up the chimney he rose;
He sprang to his sleigh, to his team gave a whistle,
And away they all flew like the down of a thistle.
But I heard him exclaim, ere he drove out of sight—
“Happy Christmas to all, and to all a good night!”
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

Dec 19, 2023 • 31min
Ragman roll
STOP WHAT YOU'RE DOING PURPLE PEOPLE! Our journey throught the 20th century is not over yet... In fact, we've hit the halfway point! Join Susie and Gyles as we explore the war years and into the baby boom.
We love hearing from you, find us @SomethingRhymes on Twitter and Facebook, @SomethingRhymesWith on Instagram or you can email us on our NEW 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:
Bishy Barnabee: a lady bird.
Hod-ma-dod: a garden snail.
Autotomy: (self-amputation) the casting off of a limb or other part of the body by an animal under threat, such as a lizard.
Gyles' poem this week was 'In My Mind' by Carol Mugano
If instead of feeling jolly,
You’re full of melancholy,
Don’t go wishing such a lot,
You were somebody you’re not.
Why not thank your lucky star,
You are simply, who you are.
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

Dec 12, 2023 • 40min
Alphabetician
Join Susie and Gyles as they explore the whimsical origins of the alphabet, discussing letters A and C, the taboo nature of the 'C word', the phrase 'to warm your cockles', the etymology of the word 'pants', and the concept of zoanthropy and anthropomorphic characters.

Dec 5, 2023 • 42min
Flappers
Join Susie and Gyles as they unravel the origins and evolution of the captivating language that defined the 1920s and 1930s, from the slang of flappers to the colloquial expressions born out of economic turmoil. Discover the hidden stories behind the words that shaped an era, as we delve deep into the fascinating etymology of this transformative period in language history.
We love hearing from you, find us @SomethingRhymes on Twitter and Facebook, @SomethingRhymesWith on Instagram or you can email us on our NEW 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:
Fysigunkus - someone with no curiosity.
Turophile - a cheese lover.
Dygomy - a second marriage.
Gyles' poem this week was 'Unfortunate Coincidence' by Dorothy Parker
By the time you swear you’re his,
Shivering and sighing,
And he vows his passion is
Infinite, undying—
Lady, make a note of this:
One of you is lying.
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

Nov 28, 2023 • 47min
Umpteen
This week, Susie and Gyles dive into the linguistic time capsule of the early 20th century. Join in as they explore the birth of new words and phrases that shaped communication from 1900 to 1910, providing a unique perspective on the evolution of our linguistic landscape."
We love hearing from you, find us @SomethingRhymes on Twitter and Facebook, @SomethingRhymesWith on Instagram or you can email us on our NEW 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:
Nugatory - trivial or not worth bothering about
Viscerotonic - a type of personality which is comfort-loving, social, easy going
Pugil - a pinch of something
Gyles' poem this week was 'Idyll' by Siegfred Sassoon
In the grey summer garden I shall find you
With day-break and the morning hills behind you.
There will be rain-wet roses; stir of wings;
And down the wood a thrush that wakes and sings.
Not from the past you'll come, but from that deep
Where beauty murmurs to the soul asleep:
And I shall know the sense of life re-born
From dreams into the mystery of morn
Where gloom and brightness meet. And standing there
Till that calm song is done, at last we'll share
The league-spread, quiring symphonies that are
Joy in the world, and peace, and dawn’s one star.
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

Nov 21, 2023 • 33min
Gauntlet
Step into the linguistic battlefield with this week's as Susie and Gyles explore the origins of medieval armour terminology. Join us as we immerse ourselves in the rich history of words that once adorned the knights of old, forging a connection between language and the clangor of medieval warfare
We love hearing from you, find us @SomethingRhymes on Twitter and Facebook, @SomethingRhymesWith on Instagram or you can email us on our NEW 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:
Metanoia - the process of changing ones mind.
Perspicatious - wise and clear thinking.
Sollipsist - somebody who is entirely self absorbed.
Gyles' poem this week was 'Knight in Armour' by Alan Alexander Miln.
Whenever I'm a shining Knight,
I buckle on my armour tight;
And then I look about for things,
Like Rushings-out, and Rescuings,
And Savings from the Dragon's Lair,
And fighting all the Dragons there.
And sometimes when our fights begin,
I think I'll let the Dragons win ...
And then I think perhaps I won't,
Because they're Dragons, and I don't.
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

Nov 14, 2023 • 41min
Sprogs
Susie and Gyles are getting you to use your loafs this week, as they glide through the fun and ferocious etymology behing the unique language of RAF slang. Together they'll decode the hidden stories and linguistic roots behind the expressions that echo through the Royal Air Force, bringing you closer to the fascinating evolution of words in the military context.
We love hearing from you, find us @SomethingRhymes on Twitter and Facebook, @SomethingRhymesWith on Instagram or you can email us on our NEW 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:
Lunting – To go for a walk and smoke a pipe.
Beef-witted –16th century word for 'stupid'.
Behoove: To be necessary or appropriate
Gyles' poem this week was 'For Johnny' by John Pudney
Do not despair
For Johnny-head-in-air;
He sleeps as sound
As Johnny underground.
Fetch out no shroud
For Johnny-in-the-cloud;
And keep your tears
For him in after years.
Better by far
For Johnny-the-bright-star,
To keep your head,
And see his children fed.
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

Nov 7, 2023 • 32min
Fandango de pokum
Join us this week as we turn the pages of our very own Susie Dent’s brand new book: ‘Interesting Stories About Curious Words’. We explore all the very best niche stories behind much loved words in the English language.
We love hearing from you, find us @SomethingRhymes on Twitter and Facebook, @SomethingRhymesWith on Instagram or you can email us on our NEW 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:
Shemozzle - muddle or complication
Tenebrous - gloomy or dark
Twiffler - a medium sized plate
Gyles' poem this week was 'Who Has Seen the Wind?' by Christina Rossetti
Who has seen the wind?
Neither I nor you:
But when the leaves hang trembling,
The wind is passing through.
Who has seen the wind?
Neither you nor I:
But when the trees bow down their heads,
The wind is passing by.
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

Oct 31, 2023 • 38min
Hygge
In this week's episode, we unravel the captivating history behind the autumnal season. Join Susie Dent and Gyles Brandreth on a linguistic journey through time as we explore the origins and evolution of the term, discovering the rich tapestry of meanings woven into this vibrant season.. Tune in now to harvest the knowledge and uncover the linguistic treasures hidden within the fall foliage!
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:
Gyles' poem this week was - 'Autumn' by T.E. Hulme
A touch of cold in the Autumn night—
I walked abroad,
And saw the ruddy moon lean over a hedge
Like a red-faced farmer.
I did not stop to speak, but nodded,
And round about were the wistful stars
With white faces like town children.
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

Oct 24, 2023 • 35min
HOT BEEF!
This week, join Susie and Gyles as we unravel the lively history behind common exclamations, from the classic ‘phwoar!’ to the newer and expressive ‘oof!’. Uncover the linguistic journey that transforms mere words into powerful expressions, adding a dash of excitement to your language exploration.
We love hearing from you, find us @SomethingRhymes on Twitter and Facebook, @SomethingRhymesWith on Instagram or you can email us on our NEW 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:
Friended: Example: ‘He friended me’. Used as a verb.
Seijaku: Finding peace in the midst of chaos.
Humgruffin: A savage or terrible person.
Gyles' poem this week was 'You're a Big Man, But You're in Bad Shape' by Roger Harvey
And the poem read out earlier on in the podcast by Gyles was called 'Poem' by William Carlos Williams:
As the cat
climbed over
the top of
the jamcloset
first the right
forefoot
carefully
then the hind
stepped down
into the pit of
the empty
flowerpot
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