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The Allusionist

Helen Zaltzman
Hypochondria
Scripps National Spelling Bee
Misophonia
Patty Wars
Health Anxiety
Crossword Puzzles
Toronto
Jamaican Patty
Lipreading
Golden Globes
The Allusionist
Wellness Industry
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
Midget Gems
Knitting
Hearing Loss
Melancholy
Inclusion In Puzzles
Racism
Ableism

Adventures in language with Helen Zaltzman. TheAllusionist.org

PublishesTwice monthlyEpisodes230Founded10 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
EducationArts

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Latest Episodes

Ten years ago, on the fourth episode of the show, I investigated why the C-word is considered a worse swear than the others. Since then - well really just in the last three years or so - there has been a huge development: the word has hit the mainstr... more

Welcome to Four Letter Word season!

We're kicking off with one of the most versatile words: it can be a noun, verb, punctuation, expostulation, full sentence on its own; it can be an intensifier, an insult and a compliment... and a Category A swear,... more

Hello! It's me, your real imaginary friend, Helen Zaltzman.

Someone wrote to me recently saying, “I haven't seen a new episode, are you OK?” I'm OK, thank you! I took a break for some work things such as the return of my other podcast Answer Me Thi... more

Happy tenth birthday to this show! To celebrate, here's every randomly selected word from the dictionary from the first decade of the show. 

Visit theallusionist.org/randomlyselectedwords to read the transcript and get other Tranquillusionist episo... more

Key Facts

Accepts Guests
Accepts Sponsors
Contact Information
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Number of Listeners
Find out how many people listen to this podcast per episode and each month.

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Recent Guests

Nicole Holliday
Acting Associate Professor of Linguistics at the University of California, Berkeley
University of California, Berkeley
Episode: 209. Four Letter Words: Serving C-bomb
Kelly Elizabeth Wright
Assistant Professor of Language Sciences at the University of Wisconsin-Madison
University of Wisconsin-Madison
Episode: 209. Four Letter Words: Serving C-bomb
Jesse Sheidlower
Lexicographer and editor, known for his work on the word 'fuck'
Editor of the Online Historical Dictionary of Science Fiction
Episode: 208. Four Letter Words: Ffff
Joanna Kopaczyk
Historical linguist
Episode: 206. Bonus 2024
AJ Jacobs
Author and host of The Puzzler Podcast
Episode: 206. Bonus 2024
Mary Robinette Kowal
Science fiction author, puppeteer, and co-host of podcast Writing Excuses.
maryrobinettekowal.com
Episode: 205. Lexicat, part 2: now with added Dog
Zazie Todd
Animal behaviour expert and author.
companionanimalpsychology.com
Episode: 205. Lexicat, part 2: now with added Dog
Joelle Andres
Dog owner of puppy Bastion, who communicates using buttons.
Episode: 205. Lexicat, part 2: now with added Dog
Sascha Crasnow
Dog owner of Parker, who uses communication buttons.
Episode: 205. Lexicat, part 2: now with added Dog

Host

Helen Zaltzman
Helen Zaltzman is known for her keen intellect and witty presentation style, often exploring linguistic topics with humor and depth. As a host, she is engaging and insightful, making complex subjects accessible and entertaining.

Reviews

4.7 out of 5 stars from 6k ratings
  • Came for the words, stayed for Helen!

    The show was recommended to me as a word nerd, but I have absolutely fallen in love with Helen! You are witty, funny, oh so relatable, and I appreciate falling asleep to your voice, listing out dog show winners!😂

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    LesleeU
    Canada3 months ago
  • In my top 5

    I listen to so many podcasts and this is always in my top 5 (possibly top 3!)

    Helen is so bright enigmatic. The quality never drops and I’m always left feeling enlightened! Can’t recommend highly enough.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Dan G Sells
    United Kingdom5 months ago
  • it would be interesting to pursue this considering sentience ..

    Podcast Addict
    4
    adamchelt
    6 months ago
  • The Tranquillusionists

    really saved my sanity

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    zsumi2117
    Germany6 months ago
  • Shame. Was good..

    Funny how she could see through linguistic tactics until the gender nonsense began. Then suddenly all of that was legit and we were wrong for not believing it straight away.

    Either she knows one and feels bound, or she’s an idiot….or both.

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    sluggerty
    Australia6 months ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

There are comments on episodes feeling politically charged or deviating from the original focus on language, indicating a mixed reception for certain themes.
The community around the show seems engaged and loyal, with many returning for the educational value and camaraderie it fosters.
Listeners appreciate the entertaining and informative approach to language topics, often praising the host's humor and well-researched content.
Many find the discussions to be enlightening, leading to insights and awareness that enrich their understanding of various subjects.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Apple Podcasts
#124
United States/Arts
Apple Podcasts
#88
Canada/Arts
Apple Podcasts
#113
United Kingdom/Arts
Apple Podcasts
#76
Australia/Arts
Apple Podcasts
#32
Ireland/Arts
Apple Podcasts
#35
Hong Kong/Arts

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

208. Four Letter Words: Ffff
Q: Did you have any problems with the printer saying, I simply cannot publish this volume of obscenities?
No, we didn't have significant trouble; people found the discussion of the topic interesting and serious.
208. Four Letter Words: Ffff
Q: What has it been like being essentially a lexicographer for a single word for 30 plus years?
It's interesting; there's a lot of cultural significance around the word 'fuck', which wasn't always the case.
206. Bonus 2024
Q: How can you rename your pet effectively?
Use the new name before the old one multiple times until the pet responds to it, making the transition seamless.
206. Bonus 2024
Q: What did William Dunbar write about headaches?
He wrote a poem detailing the intense pain of migraines, which is unusual for 15th-century poetry.
204. Lexicat, part 1
Q: What is your opinion about verbal communication via button?
Zazie Todd believes it's a positive practice, as it encourages owners to pay more attention to their pets' needs.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
Interests
Professions
Age Range
Household Income
Social Media Reach

Frequently Asked Questions About The Allusionist

What is The Allusionist about and what kind of topics does it cover?

This podcast engages listeners with fascinating explorations of language and its multifaceted connections to daily life, culture, and personal identity. Listeners can expect a delightful blend of humor and scholarly insights as topics range from communication methods with pets to the evolution of vernaculars like Singlish and the art of wordplay in puzzles. The host is known for inviting diverse guests who share their unique experiences, ensuring that discussions are both entertaining and educational. Notably, the podcast often intertwines personal narratives with broader societal themes, making it both deeply relatable and thought-provoking.

Where can I find podcast stats for The Allusionist?

Rephonic provides a wide range of podcast stats for The Allusionist. We scanned the web and collated all of the information that we could find in our comprehensive podcast database. See how many people listen to The Allusionist and access YouTube viewership numbers, download stats, audience demographics, chart rankings, ratings, reviews and more.

How many listeners does The Allusionist get?

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What are the audience demographics for The Allusionist?

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How many subscribers and views does The Allusionist have?

To see how many followers or subscribers The Allusionist has on Spotify and other platforms such as Castbox and Podcast Addict, simply upgrade your account. You'll also find viewership figures for their YouTube channel if they have one.

Which podcasts are similar to The Allusionist?

These podcasts share a similar audience with The Allusionist:

1. 99% Invisible
2. Answer Me This!
3. the memory palace
4. Lingthusiasm - A podcast that's enthusiastic about linguistics
5. The Kitchen Sisters Present

How many episodes of The Allusionist are there?

The Allusionist launched 10 years ago and published 230 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

How do I contact The Allusionist?

Our systems regularly scour the web to find email addresses and social media links for this podcast. We scanned the web and collated all of the contact information that we could find in our podcast database. But in the unlikely event that you can't find what you're looking for, our concierge service lets you request our research team to source better contacts for you.

Where can I see ratings and reviews for The Allusionist?

Rephonic pulls ratings and reviews for The Allusionist from multiple sources, including Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Castbox, and Podcast Addict.

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What guests have appeared on The Allusionist?

Recent guests on The Allusionist include:

1. Nicole Holliday
2. Kelly Elizabeth Wright
3. Jesse Sheidlower
4. Joanna Kopaczyk
5. AJ Jacobs
6. Mary Robinette Kowal
7. Zazie Todd
8. Joelle Andres

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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