6 Apr 2019

Getting to grips with language: 'The Allusionist'

From The Podcast Hour, 12:15 pm on 6 April 2019
The Alllusionist logo (Supplied)

The Alllusionist logo (Supplied) Photo: Supplied

Hangnail...freelancing...gossip...nostril: the English language is full of weird and wonderful words!

The Allusionist (from Radiotopia) delights in finding the stories behind them, and discovering how we're using language today. It's brainy but it wears its learning lightly so it's not stuffy, overly academic or obscure: and a lot of that comes down to its host.

Helen Zaltzman 2 (Supplied)

Helen Zaltzman 2 (Supplied) Photo: Supplied

Helen Zaltzman's been making podcasts since the early days way, way back in 2007(!) and now she's on her way to New Zealand for the first time to do some live shows.

We share some of an episode called 'Yes, As In' that speaks to people with unusual names. Then we chat to Helen about her podcasting past, and what it's like to take the show out on the road. And you can find more details about her 3 live shows in New Zealand on 12th April (Auckland), 26th April (Wellington) and 22nd May (Christchurch) here.