The Allusionist
Helen ZaltzmanAdventures in language with Helen Zaltzman. TheAllusionist.org
| Publishes | Twice monthly | Episodes | 247 | Founded | 11 years ago |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Number of Listeners | Categories | EducationArts | |||
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Latest Episodes
"The word ‘suburbia’ sort of evokes a very fixed idea of a place that is identikit, that all suburbs are the same, that within the suburb everything is the same, that all people are the same, all experiences are the same," says social historian and a... more
You know what's an absolutely pesky kind of word to define in a dictionary? Colour names. A passel of lexicographers spent years - decades, even - trying different ways to describe colours in words for Webster's Third International Dictionary. It was... more
Pack your oxygen tank, we're going to space. There’s a lot of etymology up there.
Visit theallusionist.org/cosmic-hairball for more information about the topics in this episode plus a transcript of the episode.
The singing and score is by Martin Au... more
It's the annual parade of Bonus Bits! Every year, the show's guests say too many interesting things and/or stuff that isn't languagey enough, so I save it up and release it in a delightful melange of facts and thoughts, about language and also not ab... more
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Reviews
Delightful podcast about words and the English language!
Podcast Addict42 months agoLord Gro- Thank
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
Apple Podcasts5miss Romero
United States4 months ago - A Christmas Gift
This podcast is always great. The Christmas Dickens reading though is something special. Thank you Helen and Martin
Apple Podcasts5Boo936
Australia4 months ago - Smart, deep, and funny
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!
Apple Podcasts5SideHustlerSukiUnited States4 months ago - Making Trouble
The Making Trouble episode was great, thanks for sharing and giving us food for thought around creating things.
Apple Podcasts5TokyoSaraUnited States6 months ago
Listeners Say
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Chart Rankings
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Apple Podcasts | #86 | United States/Arts |
Apple Podcasts | #34 |  United Kingdom/Arts |
Apple Podcasts | #58 |  Canada/Arts |
Apple Podcasts | #52 | Australia/Arts |
Apple Podcasts | #31 |  New Zealand/Arts |
Apple Podcasts | #83 |  Chile/Arts |
Talking Points
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Audience Metrics
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Frequently Asked Questions About The Allusionist
What is The Allusionist about and what kind of topics does it cover?
The show centers on language, linguistics, and the cultural forces shaping how people talk, write, and think. Across episodes, it covers etymology, censorship, feminist and social movements, the politics of language, and the craft of storytelling through conversation with scholars, writers, librarians, and other language-focused experts. Expect a thoughtful blend of rigorous analysis, humor, and deeply human stories about how words empower or constrain communities. A standout aspect is the recurring emphasis on inclusive language, censorship debates, and the intersection of language with power, identity, and culture, often featuring guests who situate language in historical or social contexts. This mix likely appeals to word nerds, academic... more
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?
Rephonic provides a full set of podcast information for three million podcasts, including the number of listeners. View further listenership figures for The Allusionist, including podcast download numbers and subscriber numbers, so you can make better decisions about which podcasts to sponsor or be a guest on. You will need to upgrade your account to access this premium data.
What are the audience demographics for The Allusionist?
Rephonic provides comprehensive predictive audience data for The Allusionist, including gender skew, age, country, political leaning, income, professions, education level, and interests. You can access these listener demographics by upgrading your account.
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. Answer Me This!
2. 99% Invisible
3. the memory palace
4. Articles of Interest
5. Twenty Thousand Hertz
How many episodes of The Allusionist are there?
The Allusionist launched 11 years ago and published 247 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?
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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.
View all the reviews in one place instead of visiting each platform individually and use this information to decide if a show is worth pitching or not.
How do I access podcast episode transcripts for The Allusionist?
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What guests have appeared on The Allusionist?
Recent guests on The Allusionist include:
1. Kory Stamper
2. Alex Ketchum
3. Hannah McGregor
4. So Mayer
5. Tim Brookes
6. Iris Mogul
7. Sam Helmick
8. Dr. Alex Ketchum
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.