Off-Grid Pod 083 Bluest Biting Centaurs

Listeners engage in a lively discussion about the influence of childhood literature on their appreciation for wordplay and language. The conversation begins with a crossword puzzle from The Guardian, which serves as a backdrop for exploring various literary works that shaped their understanding of vocabulary.

Dave highlights the significance of children's stories, such as Lewis Carroll's "Alice in Wonderland," which playfully manipulates language and meaning, sparking a love for wordplay. He shares anecdotes about how certain words and phrases from beloved books, like Roald Dahl's "Matilda," have left a lasting impression on his linguistic development. The discussion also touches on the whimsical nature of Edward Lear's nonsense rhymes and the clever twists in Roald Dahl's "Revolting Rhymes," showcasing how these texts challenge conventional storytelling.

The conversation shifts to the etymology of words and their evolution, with participants reflecting on how terms like "nerd" and "gremlin" gained popularity through literature. They also delve into the nuances of color perception and its impact on design, particularly in the context of traffic lights in Japan. The episode concludes with a quiz that tests their knowledge of literary origins and word usage, further emphasizing the lasting impact of childhood reading on their adult lives.

Gormless muchness. The not-really-about crosswords podcast. Full show notes are at https://offgrid.tlmb.net/

Some General Knowledge, a mini-quiz, and some fun trivia we didn't necessarily know until just now.

Before each recording, the hosts & their guest solve a cryptic crossword. In the podcast, we riff on words in the grid or clues (spoilers!), telling each other things we find funny or interesting about them. We'll also pick a favourite clue each, and explain how it works to the listener, and have a mini-quiz, also inspired by the puzzle. You don't have to solve or understand cryptic crosswords yourself to enjoy this podcast, but hopefully we might intrigue and tempt you to dip your toes in the water. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.