Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 40:03 — 27.8MB)
This week, we chat about the relentless holiday parties that are typical of the the season; then we ponder the tough World Cup draws we both got. We also discuss “minced oaths,” the creative ways both our cultures avoid saying rude words. Later, Sam calls in to take the quiz, and tries to guess what the “freshman fifteen” is, while Johnson tries to figure out what a “tailback” might be.
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 43:54 — 30.4MB)
This week, we’re joined by Johnson’s old friend Ed from New York! We discuss the Rosebowl vs the Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade, then our listener from Iran explains the whole Persia thing. Then we discuss the new phenomenon of Black Friday in the UK, and later, Adam Young calls in to take the quiz, and tries to guess what “affirmative action” is. Johnson, meanwhile, doesn’t even attempt to keep a “whip-round” above the waist.
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 50:27 — 34.9MB)
It’s our thanksgiving episode, so we talk about how to deep fry a turkey without destroying your house. Then Johnson opens some overpriced gifts from the UK, and we get a letter from a listener in Iran. As if that wasn’t enough, Kurt then calls in to take the quiz, and tries to guess what a 401k is, while Johnson taps his saveloy on the window of a restaurant. Why? Good question.
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 33:36 — 23.3MB)
This week, a very different show: we celebrate our first anniversary by revealing our statistics, talking about monetization via ad revenues, and also other stuff that doesn’t sound quite so dull. But mostly we express our appreciation for our fine listeners and everyone who has helped make us the show we are today. Thank you, one and all!
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 46:03 — 31.9MB)
This week, as suggested by listener Garry, we talk about one of the starkest differences between our two countries: the ability (or lack thereof) to score a personalised license plate for your car. Then, Jochen writes in to talk about Berliners (the pastry, not the people) and later, Simon from the Puzzle Hall Inn in Halifax, Yorkshire calls in to take the quiz, and tries to guess what “stucco” is, while Johnson encounters “width restrictions.” Oh boy.
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 43:11 — 29.9MB)
This week, we discuss the bizarre British tradition that is Guy Fawkes Night: the annual celebration of a monumental failure. Then we chat about why British people are wearing paper poppies at the moment, and our chum Ron Choularton writes in about Desperate Dan. Later, Angus from the Stod Fold Brewing Company calls in to take the quiz, and tries to guess what a “cheese head” is; Johnson meanwhile tries to figure out which tribe lives in the “central reservation.”
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 40:27 — 28.0MB)
Appropriately for Halloween, this week was strange. We talk about the end of British Summer Time, the huge storm about to hit the south of England, and the last big British hurricane in October of ’87. Then we get into Halloween itself, and the Mexican tradition of “the day of the dead.” Instead of the quiz, my wife Jennifer and I chat about the show, podcasts in general, divine intervention, and mysterious wheelchairs that appear and disappear like the fog. Or quiz guests. Or something.
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 41:00 — 28.4MB)
This week, we talk about how the thing Americans call a “chaise lounge” isn’t that at all; then we talk about the weird British shop that is Argos. Then, Simon from Halifax (Yorkshire, not Canada) sends us an article all about British cheekiness, and we discuss where the Geico Gekko is from. Later, Helen calls in to take the quiz, and tries to guess what “RoShamBo” is; Johnson, meanwhile, tries on “Y-Fronts.”
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 41:28 — 28.7MB)
We celebrate Columbus Day (and my first wedding anniversary) by discussing the discovery of a continent, and Americans’ pronunciation of “lever.” Then Johnson is underwhelmed at the idea of school curry, so we talk about the Tottenham “Yid” controversy. Then we move onto the weightier issue of whose electric plug sockets are better (verdict: a draw), and later Cocker calls in to take the quiz, and tries to imagine what “Rocky Mountain Oysters” might be; Johnson, meanwhile, is in trouble with the “rozzers.”
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 46:01 — 31.9MB)
This week, Johnson gets a letter from listener Chris about race codes used by the police, and I get one from Andrea with a list of midwestern words in it. Then, fitness trainer and award-winning blogger Claire McGill calls in, and we chat about everything from drive-thru banking to exercise positions which are, bizarrely, named after Mexican food. Later, Sam takes the quiz, and tries to guess what a John Deere might be, while Johnson tries to identify his wedding tackle.