Series exploring the world of words and the ways in which we use them
All available episodes (224 total)
Upcoming episodes (1 new)
Exploring creative descriptions for wind, rainfall and sunny spells from around the world
Important but problematic decisions have to be made around adopted and fostered children.
Where do modern idioms come from?
How should we respond to someone sharing bad news or raw emotion?
We need to find new ways of talking to each other “virtually”.
Why personal names are so often mispronounced or misspelled, in conversation and online.
Exploring the hidden histories of obscure words, and common buzz phrases.
What is LGBTQIA+ slang and why is it so important?
The acclaimed author shares her secrets.
Michael Rosen puts the language of science under the microscope.
Straightforward and concise advice from language guru Lane Greene.
What are the right and the wrong things to say to someone who is struggling to cope?
Comedian and writer David Walliams talks to Michael Rosen about writing children’s books.
Subscribe to this programme or download individual episodes.
Series of programmes examining key phrases in public debate.
With terms like 'epic fail' entering our daily vocab, it's time for you to level up.
Some facts about emoji - possibly the world's first truly global form of communication.
What's a gubbins? Or a mosey? Find out the origins of old words and phrases.
Transform your small talk from bland cliché to earth-shattering rhetoric.
The weird and wonderful world of naming houses.
Get the bard in your corner with this video guide.
Ben Crystal reads Shakespeare's Sonnet 116 in Original Pronunciation.
Michael Rosen reads through the Cockney alphabet, from A for 'orses to Z for his hat.
Philip Pullman reveals why he chose the name, Lyra.
Michael Rosen on the evocative words used to describe features of the British landscape.
Lexicographer of slang and swearing Jonathon Green talks about where slang comes from.
Do you sign off your messages with x? Ever wondered where this behaviour comes from?
How come humans learn to speak while other animals don't?
Anyone for some ISIS Belgian chocolate?
Michael Rosen and Dr Laura Wright explore the numbers one to ten
Have a look at some of the fantastic words that children invent and reimagine.
River Cottage forager John Wright talks Latin naming conventions with Dr Laura Wright.
Professor Naomi Baron joins Word of Mouth to discuss the future of reading
Michael Rosen and Harry Campbell discuss colourful international phrases for "downpour".
Margaret Reynolds on one of the language roadblocks when children are in care.
How TV and film can deliver new idioms into common parlance.
If we can't read a room, we need to choose words which don't sound passive-aggressive.
