
Adventures in language with Helen Zaltzman. TheAllusionist.org
| Publishes | Twice monthly | Episodes | 256 | Founded | 12 years ago |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Number of Listeners | Categories | ArtsEducation | |||

Alexinomia is the aversion to saying people's names. Psychologist Thomas Ditye explains what it means to have this condition - in some cases not even saying your spouse's name during 25 years of marriage - and the research he and colleague Lisa Welle... more
'Phobia' gets used for anything from a mild aversion to a debilitating anxiety response to various forms of bigotry. Deboki Chakravarti and Sam Jones of the podcast Tiny Matters join to consider the term from its comedic origins with one of the found... more
What do you call yourself if you're a part-time vegetarian? What petty linguistic things would you change? And what do you do if people gripe at you if you say that you are bi or pan? To answer these questions from the Allusionist mailbag are esteeme... more
This is the Tranquillusionist, in which I, Helen Zaltzman, say a series of words to relax your mind, replace a hectic interior monologue, maybe lull you to sleep, hopefully quell the mental uproar just for a little while. Today: nicknames for woodlic... more
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Started out curious and providing niche information about diverse topics, but now seems only interested in covering political topics...
Delightful podcast about words and the English language!
Last night I was sick and feverish and awake in the middle of the night and the way relief crashed over me when I heard the tranquillusionist jingle. Suddenly I was warm and safe and still sick but it was manageable
This podcast is always great. The Christmas Dickens reading though is something special. Thank you Helen and Martin
I never failed to be delighted by this completely original, thought-provoking podcast. The creator puts so much work and spirit into every episode. Recommended for anyone who loves language, a.k.a. the layers of the onion that is history, society and life!
Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.
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Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.
Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.
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Language-focused show that blends linguistic history, etymology, and culture with thoughtful interviews and playful explorations of how words shape society. Episodes span topics from phobias and dictionaries to fan cultures and translation, often featuring scholars, translators, writers, and public-facing academics. Noteworthy is the host's mix of rigor and whimsy, plus regular deep-dives into underexplored language ideas, which can appeal to word nerds, researchers, and creative professionals seeking insightful, well-researched conversations with a warm, engaging hosting style.
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The Allusionist launched 12 years ago and published 256 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.
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Recent guests on The Allusionist include:
1. Deboki Chakravarti
2. Sam Jones
3. Lauren Gawne
4. Elizabeth Minkel
5. Iris Ishichita
6. Will Trimble
7. Hans Corneel de Roos
8. Ásgeir Jónsson
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