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As a language enthusiast with a penchant for etymology and an insatiable curiosity for new words, I find “Unspeakable” to be an absolute delight! With my trusty Oxford English Dictionary app always within arm’s reach, I was instantly intrigued by the concept of a radio show that explores the linguistic gaps in our everyday conversations.

Unspeakable is on Radio 4 on Thursday at 6.30pm. Add it to your collection.

Did you realize that Stephen Fry is acknowledged by the Oxford English Dictionary as the one who came up with the term “luvvy” back in the late 1980s? This term is used for actors similar to him, but there was a need for a word to fill a linguistic void at the time, and unintentionally, he supplied it through his writing.

The Radio 4 program titled “Unspeakable” invites panelists to create or borrow words from other languages that capture universal ideas or experiences previously without an English equivalent. Hosts Phil Wang (a comedian) and Susie Dent (a lexicographer and wordsmith for Countdown on RT), guide us through the process and introduce potential new additions to the Oxford English Dictionary.

How did they sell the idea of Unspeakable to you both?

When the opportunity for a captivating radio program on language presented itself, with Phil Wang’s involvement, my immediate response was, “I can’t wait to be a part of it.

PHIL WANG You know, they pitched me this concept: “A series all about language and its quirks, even including some fictional terms.” Not exactly, but more like: “We’ve devised a format for a show diving into the world of words and invented phrases.” Given my geeky disposition…

SD [Raises hand]

It’s clear that Susie possesses a unique blend of nerdiness and style that seems to elude me. I guess I can identify more with the former quality.

AL It’s interesting to note that at one point, “grammar” and “glamour” were actually the same word! “Glamour,” originally, referred to the magical aspect of knowledge, which encompassed all learning. As time passed, they needed a separate term for the more glitzy or attractive aspects, so it evolved separately. So, in essence, one could say someone is being “grammarous” if they possess a deep understanding and charm in language use.

PW This is exactly the content you can expect from Susie.

When was the last time someone used a word in conversation and you didn’t know what it meant?

As a cinephile, I find myself immersed in a world of words when watching movies that aren’t in my native tongue. But instead of finding it frustrating, I relish these moments as opportunities to dive into the dictionary – a place that feels like home to me. And yes, you can often catch me consulting the Oxford English Dictionary on my phone.

Typically, it’s modern lingo that catches me off guard. A “sigma male” is considered superior to an “alpha male” among the younger crowd. So, when this boy on the street overheard me joking with my girlfriend that I’m a sigma, he yelled out, “You’re not sigma, buddy, you’re skibidi.” This suggests that he thinks there is another term or category for someone like me.

“Skibidi is a term that’s hard to pin down in definition, as it can refer to something that’s considered cool or something that’s seen as not cool at all.

Language changes all the time. Wasn’t it Dr Samuel Johnson who wanted to build walls around the English language to prevent this?

Indeed, he attempted to preserve language by preventing it from becoming polluted. He disliked the introduction of colloquialisms and was not fond of French terms, yet he eventually understood that such a pursuit was in vain. To quote him, “to tether syllables and to restrain the wind” were equally futile endeavors.

So how does Unspeakable work?

SD People frequently ask me, “Why isn’t there a word for X, Y, or Z in our language?” Often followed by, “I bet the Germans have one.” Interestingly, either the Germans do have a term for it or they can easily create one with their versatile language. However, it’s fascinating to discover that we have words from our own history that can often bridge these gaps. In this segment, I present a lesser-known word of the week that might prove useful, and each panelist contributes a word. We focus on terms that are already part of our linguistic landscape and ones that should exist but currently do not.

As a movie enthusiast, I find it fascinating when panelists coin new words by blending two existing ones. This creative act offers a unique peek into their individual worlds.

SD Stephen Fry, for example, brought “shiffle”, a blend of riffle and shuffle – that is when you are scrolling through the photos on your phone to show a friend but can’t find the right one. Miles Jupp came up with “app nauseam” , which is where you need an app to do absolutely anything in life.

Any contributions yourselves?

I must admit, I’ve come across some unique terms in my time! One that resonates with me as a supporter is “askhole,” someone who continually seeks advice yet seldom implements it. Another term I find quite intriguing is “crambazzled,” a Yorkshire dialect word that refers to appearing older than one’s years due to excessive alcohol consumption.

PW [Chuckles] Growing up in Malaysia, I’d like to share with you the colloquial term, “tin kosong.” While it translates as “empty tin,” it figuratively refers to a person who talks a lot but lacks substance.

That term, surprisingly enough, is referred to as “extravagant emptiness” or simply put, a state where one exhibits excessive display yet possesses no substance. Isn’t it fascinating how relevant that term was coined back in 1868?

How did the live audience react to the show?

SD They were outstanding, as they not only followed our requests but also provided their own ideas for words, which they executed perfectly.

Another way to phrase it could be: They enjoyed the segment where the panel members could throw away a term they dislike. By the way, I personally can’t stand the excessive use of the word “massively,” or more specifically, its overuse.

SD Mine is “basically”, which is used as filler by people who then carry on talking about nothing for five minutes. So that, or “gusset”.

2024-10-31 17:11

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