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Allusionist 15: Step Away

From The Allusionist | Part of the The Allusionist series | 38:16

'Step-', as in stepparents or stepchildren, originated in grief. Family structures have evolved, but are stepmothers now so tainted by fairytale associations with the word 'wicked' that we need new terminology?

Step_logo_small_small 'Step-', as in stepparents or stepchildren, originated in grief. Family structures have evolved, but are stepmothers now so tainted by fairytale associations with the word 'wicked' that we need new terminology?

Lore's Aaron Mahnke stops by to describe the lovelessness, literary tropes and life expectancy around 'step-'.

There is more about this episode at http://theallusionist.org/step. There was also  a live discussion about it at http://Spoken.am/allusionist/step-away.

Share your feelings about steprelations at http://twitter.com/allusionistshow and http://facebook.com/allusionistshow.

The Allusionist is a proud member of Radiotopia.fm for PRX.org.

Allusionist 14: Behave

From The Allusionist | Part of the The Allusionist series | 28:27

Sometimes words can become your worst enemy.

Behave_logo_small_small Sometimes words can become your worst enemy. Clinical psychologist and cognitive behavioural therapist Dr Jane Gregory tells how to defuse their power.

NB: Today's show concerns mental health, and the discussion nudges some topics which may not be comfortable for everybody. So if you have concerns, please sit this episode out, and return in two weeks for the next one.

Allusionist 13: Mixed Emojions

From The Allusionist | Part of the The Allusionist series | 16:54

Emoji allow communication without words. Could emoji be the universal language of the 21st century?

Emoji_small_small Emoji allow communication without words. Could emoji be the universal language of the 21st century? Matt Gray and Tom Scott, founders of the emoji-only messaging platform emoj.li, talk through the pitfalls; and History Today's Dr Kate Wiles finds the 500- and 5,000-year-old precedents for emoji.

CONTENT WARNING: this episode contains one category B swear word, plus reference to penises growing on trees.

There's more about this episode at http://theallusionist.org/emoji, including a fine selection of medieval marginalia. Tweet @allusionistshow, and convene at facebook.com/allusionistshow.

The Allusionist is a proud member of Radiotopia.fm for PRX.org.

Allusionist 11: Brunchtime

From The Allusionist | Part of the The Allusionist series | 12:39

Brunch. What does it actually mean?

Brunch_small_small

Brunch. What does it actually mean?

Yeah yeah, it's br eakfast + lunch , but in function or in form? And what does it have to do with Lewis Carroll?

I chewed this over during brunch with Dan Pashman , host of the food podcast The Sporkful and author of Eat More Better . Fall down the rabbit hole of brunch semantics with us.

Allusionist 10: Election Lexicon

From The Allusionist | Part of the The Allusionist series | 09:01

On the eve of the 2015 General Election in the UK, take a jaunt through the etymology of election-related words.

Election_lexicon_logo_small_small On the eve of the 2015 General Election in the UK, take a jaunt through the etymology of election-related words. Find out why casting a vote should be more like basketball, and why polling is hairy.

There's more about this episode at http://theallusionist.org/electionlexicon. Tweet @allusionistshow, and convene at facebook.com/allusionistshow. Also please air your thoughts about podcasts by filling in the Radiotopia survey at surveynerds.com/allusionist.

The Allusionist is a proud member of Radiotopia.fm for PRX.org.

Allusionist 9: The Space Between

From The Allusionist | Part of the The Allusionist series | 10:21

Forget words for a moment; look at the spaces between the words.

Space_between_logo_small_small Though this is a show about words, forget the words for a moment; look at the spaces between the words. Without the spaces, the words would be nigh incomprehensible. And yet, they're a relatively recent linguistic innovation. Dr Kate Wiles explains how English got its spaces.

Visit theallusionist.org/spaces to find out more about this episode. Tweet @allusionistshow, and convene at facebook.com/allusionistshow. Also please give us your thoughts about podcasts at surveynerds.com/allusionist.

The Allusionist is a proud member of Radiotopia.fm for PRX.org.

Allusionist 8: Crosswords

From The Allusionist | Part of the The Allusionist series | 16:28

Cryptic crosswords: delightful brain exercise, or the infernal taunting of the incomprehensible?

Crosswords_logo_small_small

Cryptic crosswords: delightful brain exercise, or the infernal taunting of the incomprehensible? Either way, crossword setter John Feetenby explains how they're made and how to solve them.

Visit theallusionist.org/crosswords to find out more about this episode. Tweet @allusionistshow , and convene at facebook.com/allusionistshow . Also please give us your thoughts about podcasts at surveynerds.com/allusionist .

The Allusionist is a proud member of Radiotopia.fm for PRX.org.

Allusionist 7: Mountweazel

From The Allusionist | Part of the The Allusionist series | 15:26

You'd think you could trust dictionaries, but it turns out, they are riddled with LIES.

Mountweazel_logo_small_small

You'd think you could trust dictionaries, but it turns out, they are riddled with LIES. Eley Williams reveals the deliberate fake words lexicographers add to dictionaries.

Visit theallusionist.org/mountweazel to find out more about this episode. Tweet @allusionistshow , and convene at facebook.com/allusionistshow . Also please give us your thoughts about podcasts at surveynerds.com/allusionist

The Allusionist is a proud member of Radiotopia.fm for PRX.org.

Allusionist 6: The Writing On The Wall

From The Allusionist | Part of the The Allusionist series | 15:14

Those words on museum walls that you can't be bothered to read? They're more important than you think...

Museums_logo_small_small

Those words on museum walls that you can't be bothered to read? They're more important than you think...

Exhibition-maker Rachel Souhami explains why.

Visit theallusionist.org/museums to find out more about this episode. Tweet @allusionistshow , and convene at facebook.com/allusionistshow .

The Allusionist 5: Latin Lives!

From The Allusionist | Part of the The Allusionist series | 12:12

Every week since September 1989, a radio station in Finland has broadcast a weekly news bulletin...in Latin.

Latin_lives_logo_small Every week since September 1989, a radio station in Finland has broadcast a weekly news bulletin...in Latin.

WHY?

Let's find out!

Visit theallusionist.org/latin to find out more about this episode. Tweet @allusionistshow, and convene at facebook.com/allusionistshow.

The Allusionist is a proud member of Radiotopia.fm for PRX.org.

The Allusionist 2: Bosom Holder

From The Allusionist | Part of the The Allusionist series | 13:31

There are many synonyms for 'underwear'. There are many synonyms for the body parts you keep in your underwear. But there's only one word for 'bra'.

Allusionist_small

Visit theallusionist.org to find out more about this episode. Tweet @allusionistshow, and convene at facebook.com/allusionistshow.

The Allusionist
is a proud member of Radiotopia from PRX.

The Allusionist 3: Going Viral

From The Allusionist | Part of the The Allusionist series | 15:05

Remember when 'viral' used to only mean something bad, IE something that would make you ill or destroy your computer?

Allusionist_viral_small Remember when 'viral' used to only mean something bad, IE something that would make you ill or destroy your computer?

How things have changed. Tom Phillips from Buzzfeed UK explains the language they choose to make content go viral.

Visit theallusionist.org/viral to find out more about this episode. Tweet @allusionistshow, and convene at facebook.com/allusionistshow.

The Allusionist is a proud member of Radiotopia.fm for PRX.org.

The Allusionist 1: Ban the Pun

From The Allusionist | Part of the The Allusionist series | 16:21

In late 2014, China announced it was to ban puns. Helen Zaltzman wishes she could ban puns in her own family.

Allusionist_small For more about this episode, visit http://theallusionist.org/puns.

The Allusionist is part of Radiotopia from PRX.

Allusionist 16: Word Play

From The Allusionist | Part of the The Allusionist series | 27:35

Words are all over the place. So how do you turn them into fun games? Here to show the way is Leslie Scott, founder of Oxford Games and inventor of more than forty games - including word games such as Ex Libris, Anagram and Flummoxed, and the non-word game Jenga.

Word_play_small_small Words are all over the place. So how do you turn them into fun games? Here to show the way is Leslie Scott, founder of Oxford Games and inventor of more than forty games - including word games such as Ex Libris, Anagram and Flummoxed, and the non-word game Jenga.

There is more about this episode at http://theallusionist.org/word-play.

Tell me about the word games you've invented at http://twitter.com/allusionistshow and http://facebook.com/allusionistshow.

The Allusionist is a proud member of http://Radiotopia.fm for http://PRX.org.

Allusionist 18: Fix part II

From The Allusionist | Part of the The Allusionist series | 28:03

The messiness of English is the price of its success. It is the most widely spoken language in the world, geographically, being an official language in 88 different countries, and there are countless different versions of it all over the world. With so many speakers in so many places, it would be impossible to establish a single 'correct' form of English; and, as became evident in Fix part I, to try to do so is a losing game.

In Europe, a new strain of English is emerging. It's not spoken very widely, but it is used by some of the most powerful people in the world.

Fix_ii_small_small The messiness of English is the price of its success. It is the most widely spoken language in the world, geographically, being an official language in 88 different countries, and there are countless different versions of it all over the world. With so many speakers in so many places, it would be impossible to establish a single 'correct' form of English; and, as became evident in Fix part I, to try to do so is a losing game.

In Europe, a new strain of English is emerging. It's not spoken very widely, but it is used by some of the most powerful people in the world. Hampton and Michael Catlin, founders of the collaborative online dictionary Wordset.org, lead us into this linguistic netherworld. Beware: excessive suffixes.

There is more about this episode at http://theallusionist.org/fix-ii. Say hello at http://twitter.com/allusionistshow and http://facebook.com/allusionistshow.

The Allusionist is a proud member of http://Radiotopia.fm for http://PRX.org.

Allusionist 19: Architecting About Dance

From The Allusionist | Part of the The Allusionist series | 27:04

“Talking about music is like dancing about architecture” is a problematic statement: not just because nobody can agree on who came up with it, but because dancing about architecture doesn’t seem particularly far-fetched. Talking about dance, however - that's really difficult. How do you put a wordless form of communication into words?

Dance_logo_small_small “Talking about music is like dancing about architecture” is a problematic statement: not just because nobody can agree on who came up with it, but because dancing about architecture doesn’t seem particularly far-fetched. Talking about dance, however - that's really difficult. How do you put a wordless form of communication into words?

Audio describer Alice Sanders and choreographer Steven Hoggett take the issue for a twirl.

There is more about this episode at http://theallusionist.org/dance. Say hello at http://twitter.com/allusionistshow and http://facebook.com/allusionistshow.

The Allusionist is a proud member of http://Radiotopia.fm for http://PRX.org.

Allusionist 20: Baby Talk

From The Allusionist | Part of the The Allusionist series | 11:37

Why do we all sound like idiots when we talk to babies?

Baby_talk_logo_small_small Why do we all sound like idiots when we talk to babies? Don't be embarrassed, we're helping them acquire language. Child psychologist Ben Jeffes explains.

There is more about this episode at http://theallusionist.org/baby-talk. Say hello at http://twitter.com/allusionistshow and http://facebook.com/allusionistshow.

The Allusionist is a proud member of http://Radiotopia.fm for http://PRX.org.

Allusionist 22: Vocables

From The Allusionist | Part of the The Allusionist series | 13:44

La la la, dum di di dum, a wop bop a loo bop a wop bom bom - what are all those non-words doing masquerading as words in songs? Hrishikesh Hirway from Song Exploder and songwriter Tony Hazzard explain.

Vocables_logo_small_small La la la, dum di di dum, a wop bop a loo bop a wop bom bom - what are all those non-words doing masquerading as words in songs? Hrishikesh Hirway from Song Exploder and songwriter Tony Hazzard explain.

Read more about this episode at http://theallusionist.org/vocables. Say hello at http://twitter.com/allusionistshow and http://facebook.com/allusionistshow.

The Allusionist is a proud member of http://Radiotopia.fm for http://PRX.org. Radiotopia needs your support. Become a donor at http://on.prx.org/radiotopia-forever.

Allusionist 21. Eponyms I: The Ballad of Bic and Biro

From The Allusionist | Part of the The Allusionist series | 17:56

Naming something after yourself: a grand display of egomania, or the humble willingness to be overshadowed by your own product? Stationery expert James Ward tells the tale of the people who begat the eponymous ballpoint pens Bic and Biro, because, according to 99% Invisible's Roman Mars, "When it comes to word origins, an eponym is the shortest bet you’re going to get a good story out of it."

Bic_biro_small_small Naming something after yourself: a grand display of egomania, or the humble willingness to be overshadowed by your own product? Stationery expert James Ward tells the tale of the people who begat the eponymous ballpoint pens Bic and Biro, because, according to 99% Invisible's Roman Mars, "When it comes to word origins, an eponym is the shortest bet you’re going to get a good story out of it."

Read more about this episode at http://theallusionist.org/ballpoint. Say hello at http://twitter.com/allusionistshow and http://facebook.com/allusionistshow.

The Allusionist is a proud member of http://Radiotopia.fm for http://PRX.org.

Allusionist 23: Criminallusionist

From The Allusionist | Part of the The Allusionist series | 23:05

Phoebe Judge and Lauren Spohrer from the podcast Criminal stop by to talk about the linguistic challenges of crime reporting. They also share their episode 'Pants on Fire', about lying. It's an extremely useful handbook if you fancy becoming either a human polygraph, or an excellent liar.

Criminallusionist_logo_small_small Phoebe Judge and Lauren Spohrer from the podcast Criminal stop by to talk about the linguistic challenges of crime reporting. They also share their episode 'Pants on Fire', about lying. It's an extremely useful handbook if you fancy becoming either a human polygraph, or an excellent liar.

Radiotopia needs your support. Become a donor at http://on.prx.org/radiotopia-forever.

Find Criminal at http://thisiscriminal.com. Read more about this episode at http://theallusionist.org/criminallusionist. Say hello at http://twitter.com/allusionistshow and http://facebook.com/allusionistshow.

The Allusionist is a proud member of http://Radiotopia.fm for http://PRX.org.

Allusionist 24: Spill Your Guts

From The Allusionist | Part of the The Allusionist series | 18:58

It's cathartic; it's a useful historical record; and it might help you behave better on public transport. Neil Katcher and Dave Nadelberg from Mortified discuss the art and practice of keeping a diary.

Spill_your_guts_small_small It's cathartic; it's a useful historical record; and it might help you behave better on public transport. Neil Katcher and Dave Nadelberg from Mortified discuss the art and practice of keeping a diary.

Find the Mortified podcast, stage shows, documentary, TV series and books at http://getmortified.com.

Roman Mars also stops by to talk about the Radiotopia fundraiser. To support the collective, become a donor at http://on.prx.org/radiotopia-forever.

Read more about this episode at http://theallusionist.org/diaries. Say hello at http://twitter.com/allusionistshow and http://facebook.com/allusionistshow.

The Allusionist is a proud member of http://Radiotopia.fm for http://PRX.org.

Allusionist 25: Toki Pona

From The Allusionist | Part of the The Allusionist series | 20:24

There’s a language which is said to be the smallest language in the world. It has around 123 words, five vowels, nine consonants, and apparently you can become fluent in it with around 30 hours’ study. It was invented by linguist Sonja Lang in 2001, and it’s called Toki Pona. And fellow Radiotopian Nate DiMeo, from the Memory Palace, decided we should learn it together.

Toki_pona_small_small There’s a language which is said to be the smallest language in the world. It has around 123 words, five vowels, nine consonants, and apparently you can become fluent in it with around 30 hours’ study. It was invented by linguist Sonja Lang in 2001, and it’s called Toki Pona. And fellow Radiotopian Nate DiMeo, from the Memory Palace, decided we should learn it together.

Find the Memory Palace at http://thememorypalace.us/. Read more about this episode at http://theallusionist.org/tokipona and say hello at http://twitter.com/allusionistshow and http://facebook.com/allusionistshow.

The Allusionist is a proud member of http://Radiotopia.fm for http://PRX.org.

Allusionist 26: Xmas Man

From The Allusionist | Part of the Allusionist festive episodes series | 25:35

CONTENT WARNING: Be wary of listening to this episode around young children, as there may be life spoilers. Historian Greg Jenner traces the origins of that mythical beardy man who turns up in December with gifts. Helen Zaltzman also ensures her permanent removal from everybody's Christmas card lists.

Xmas_man_small_small CONTENT WARNING: Be wary of listening to this episode around young children, as there may be life spoilers. Historian Greg Jenner traces the origins of that mythical beardy man who turns up in December with gifts. Helen Zaltzman also ensures her permanent removal from everybody's Christmas card lists.

Read more about this episode at http://theallusionist.org/christmas and say hello at http://twitter.com/allusionistshow and http://facebook.com/allusionistshow.

The Allusionist is a proud member of http://Radiotopia.fm for http://PRX.org.

Allusionist 28: WLTM part I

From The Allusionist | Part of the The Allusionist series | 41:08

Your online dating profile is the latest spin on a 300-year-old tradition of advertising yourself in order to find a spouse, a sexual partner, or someone to take care of your pigs.

Wltm_part_i_small_small

Your online dating profile is the latest spin on a 300-year-old tradition of advertising yourself in order to find a spouse, a sexual partner, or someone to take care of your pigs.

Francesca Beauman , author of Shapely Ankle Preferr’d: A History of the Lonely Hearts Ad , digs into lonely hearts ads to see how British society and desires have evolved over the past three centuries.

WARNING: Some of the content is a little saucy, but not, like, swimming in sauce.

Allusionist 29: WLTM part II

From The Allusionist | Part of the The Allusionist series | 41:57

You're looking for your perfect partner, but dating sites keep matching you with duds. So what do you do? Conduct an elaborate linguistic experiment, of course!

Wltm_ii_small_small You're looking for your perfect partner, but dating sites keep matching you with duds. So what do you do? Conduct an elaborate linguistic experiment, of course!

At least, that was futurist Amy Webb's response to the situation. But did it work?

For full show notes and links, visit http://theallusionist.org/wltm-ii. Hear WLTM part I at http://theallusionist.org/wltm-i.

Say hello at http://twitter.com/allusionistshow and http://facebook.com/allusionistshow.

The Allusionist is a proud member of http://Radiotopia.fm for http://PRX.org.

Allusionist 30: US Election Lexicon

From The Allusionist | Part of the The Allusionist series | 36:05

The 2016 US election isn't going away anytime soon, so let's seek refuge in etymology. Consider the linguistically appropriate age of a senator, and whether Congress should get sexy.

Us_election_lexicon_logo_small_small The 2016 US election isn't going away anytime soon, so let's seek refuge in etymology. Consider the linguistically appropriate age of a senator, and whether Congress should get sexy.

And we revisit the UK Election Lexicon - theallusionist.com/electionlexicon - for the origin of words like ‘campaign’, ‘ballot’, ‘democracy’, ‘poll’, ‘debate’ and ‘argue’.

There's more about this episode at theallusionist.org/us-electionlexicon . Tweet @allusionistshow , and convene at facebook.com/allusionistshow .

The Allusionist is a proud member of Radiotopia.fm for PRX.org. Spot the Radiotopians in this episode.

Allusionist 31: Post-Love

From The Allusionist | Part of the The Allusionist series | 18:28

Breaking up is hard to do, and it's hard to put into appropriate words. Comedian Rosie Wilby seeks a better term for 'ex', and family law barrister Nick Allen runs through the vocabulary of divorce.

Post-love_small_small Breaking up is hard to do, and it's hard to put into appropriate words. Comedian Rosie Wilby seeks a better term for 'ex', and family law barrister Nick Allen runs through the vocabulary of divorce.

NOTE: this episode is not full of bawdy talk, but there are adult themes and a couple of category B swearwords.

There's more about this episode at http://theallusionist.org/post-love. Don't go breaking my heart: say hi at twitter.com/allusionistshow and facebook.com/allusionistshow.

The Allusionist is a proud member of Radiotopia.fm for PRX.org.

Allusionist 31: Post-Love

From The Allusionist | Part of the The Allusionist series | 18:28

Breaking up is hard to do, and it's hard to put into appropriate words. Comedian Rosie Wilby seeks a better term for 'ex', and family law barrister Nick Allen runs through the vocabulary of divorce.

Post-love_small_small Breaking up is hard to do, and it's hard to put into appropriate words. Comedian Rosie Wilby seeks a better term for 'ex', and family law barrister Nick Allen runs through the vocabulary of divorce.

NOTE: this episode is not full of bawdy talk, but there are adult themes and a couple of category B swearwords.

There's more about this episode at http://theallusionist.org/post-love. Don't go breaking my heart: say hi at twitter.com/allusionistshow and facebook.com/allusionistshow.

The Allusionist is a proud member of Radiotopia.fm for PRX.org.

Allusionist 31: Post-Love

From The Allusionist | Part of the The Allusionist series | 18:28

Breaking up is hard to do, and it's hard to put into appropriate words. Comedian Rosie Wilby seeks a better term for 'ex', and family law barrister Nick Allen runs through the vocabulary of divorce.

Post-love_small_small Breaking up is hard to do, and it's hard to put into appropriate words. Comedian Rosie Wilby seeks a better term for 'ex', and family law barrister Nick Allen runs through the vocabulary of divorce.

NOTE: this episode is not full of bawdy talk, but there are adult themes and a couple of category B swearwords.

There's more about this episode at http://theallusionist.org/post-love. Don't go breaking my heart: say hi at twitter.com/allusionistshow and facebook.com/allusionistshow.

The Allusionist is a proud member of Radiotopia.fm for PRX.org.

Allusionist 48: Winterval

From The Allusionist | Part of the Allusionist festive episodes series | 11:08

There's a word that has become shorthand for 'the war on Christmas' with a side of 'political correctness gone mad': Winterval.

It began in November 1998. Newspapers furiously accused Birmingham City Council of renaming Christmas when it ran festive events under the name 'Winterval'. Another battle in the ongoing War on Christmas, except...was it? The council's then-head of events Mike Chubb explains the true meaning of Winterval.

Winterval_logo_small_small There's a word that has become shorthand for 'the war on Christmas' with a side of 'political correctness gone mad': Winterval.

It began in November 1998. Newspapers furiously accused Birmingham City Council of renaming Christmas when it ran festive events under the name 'Winterval'. Another battle in the ongoing War on Christmas, except...was it? The council's then-head of events Mike Chubb explains the true meaning of Winterval.

'Winterval' is hosted and produced by Helen Zaltzman, with music by Martin Austwick. http://theallusionist.org/winterval

Allusionist 48: Winterval

From The Allusionist | Part of the Allusionist festive episodes series | 11:08

There's a word that has become shorthand for 'the war on Christmas' with a side of 'political correctness gone mad': Winterval.

It began in November 1998. Newspapers furiously accused Birmingham City Council of renaming Christmas when it ran festive events under the name 'Winterval'. Another battle in the ongoing War on Christmas, except...was it? The council's then-head of events Mike Chubb explains the true meaning of Winterval.

Winterval_logo_small_small There's a word that has become shorthand for 'the war on Christmas' with a side of 'political correctness gone mad': Winterval.

It began in November 1998. Newspapers furiously accused Birmingham City Council of renaming Christmas when it ran festive events under the name 'Winterval'. Another battle in the ongoing War on Christmas, except...was it? The council's then-head of events Mike Chubb explains the true meaning of Winterval.

'Winterval' is hosted and produced by Helen Zaltzman, with music by Martin Austwick. http://theallusionist.org/winterval

Allusionist 69: How the Dickens stole Christmas

From The Allusionist | Part of the Allusionist festive episodes series | 24:22

Charles Dickens wrote about the plight of the impoverished and destitute members of British society. So how come his name is a synonym for rosy-cheeked, full-stomached, fattened-goose, hearty merry "God bless us every one" Christmas?

Avery Trufelman and Katie Mingle of 99% Invisible report from the streets of Victorian London at the annual Dickens Christmas Fair in Daly City, California, while historian Greg Jenner explains the origins of the festive traditions for which Dickens gets the credit, without even wanting the credit - in fact, his motivation for writing A Christmas Carol was far from a cash-in on Christmas.

A69_dickens_xmas_logo_small_small Charles Dickens wrote about the plight of the impoverished and destitute members of British society. So how come his name is a synonym for rosy-cheeked, full-stomached, fattened-goose, hearty merry "God bless us every one" Christmas? Avery Trufelman and Katie Mingle of 99% Invisible report from the streets of Victorian London at the annual Dickens Christmas Fair in Daly City, California, while historian Greg Jenner explains the origins of the festive traditions for which Dickens gets the credit, without even wanting the credit - in fact, his motivation for writing A Christmas Carol was far from a cash-in on Christmas.

F
irst released on The Allusionist podcast, from Radiotopia from PRX. Hosted by Helen Zaltzman. Produced by Helen Zaltzman, Avery Trufelman, Katie Mingle and Martin Austwick. Music by Martin Austwick.

Allusionist 69: How the Dickens stole Christmas

From The Allusionist | Part of the Allusionist festive episodes series | 24:22

Charles Dickens wrote about the plight of the impoverished and destitute members of British society. So how come his name is a synonym for rosy-cheeked, full-stomached, fattened-goose, hearty merry "God bless us every one" Christmas?

Avery Trufelman and Katie Mingle of 99% Invisible report from the streets of Victorian London at the annual Dickens Christmas Fair in Daly City, California, while historian Greg Jenner explains the origins of the festive traditions for which Dickens gets the credit, without even wanting the credit - in fact, his motivation for writing A Christmas Carol was far from a cash-in on Christmas.

A69_dickens_xmas_logo_small_small Charles Dickens wrote about the plight of the impoverished and destitute members of British society. So how come his name is a synonym for rosy-cheeked, full-stomached, fattened-goose, hearty merry "God bless us every one" Christmas? Avery Trufelman and Katie Mingle of 99% Invisible report from the streets of Victorian London at the annual Dickens Christmas Fair in Daly City, California, while historian Greg Jenner explains the origins of the festive traditions for which Dickens gets the credit, without even wanting the credit - in fact, his motivation for writing A Christmas Carol was far from a cash-in on Christmas.

F
irst released on The Allusionist podcast, from Radiotopia from PRX. Hosted by Helen Zaltzman. Produced by Helen Zaltzman, Avery Trufelman, Katie Mingle and Martin Austwick. Music by Martin Austwick.