And If You Look To Your Left…

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EPSON scanner image…you’ll see London’s famous sunken cathedral. Okay, I made that up. But on our show this week is Amber, who doesn’t need to make things up, because she’s a real-live London tour guide from Texas. Yup, after James and Paul talk about Lummis Day and revisit the Brew-Thru, we talk to Amber about life for an American in London, from buying vegetables to catching a country and western show. And later, Caleb (that’s KAY-leb) takes the quiz and tries to guess what ‘Black Friday’ is, while Johnson ponders a ‘Rizla.’

Cooters, Brew-Thrus and Kudzu

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BrewThruSmlIt’s my birthday this week! As if to celebrate, Beth gets in touch from Virginia and gives us a list of southern terms that we gleefully dissect (among them is the establishment pictured on the right.)  Later, comedian Adam Hess calls in to chat about east coast weddings, trains and bad live-action Disney movies. Then he takes the quiz, and tries to guess the meaning of the word “preppy,” while Johnson ponders a “bedsit.”

Lest We Forget

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forgetfulTo mark our Memorial Day episode, we take a look back; Memorial Day gets us into the American civil war, and thence to the tombs of unknown soldiers and eternal flames. Somehow that gets us onto Tottenham Hotspur, and then we introduce a new and possibly recurring segment, “Moments With Myrtle”: the memories of a 96-year-old Texan lady. Later, Sam & Jenn & Kurt take the quiz and try to imagine what FLOTUS might be, while Paul tries to figure out “beavering.” Odds of that one staying above the waist? Not good.

Misunderstandings

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SignThis week, after talking about the non-story that is Star Wars VII, we read about some misunderstandings between cultures. Later, Nish Kumar of the Peacock & Gamble podcast calls in and talks about Croydon’s role in the rise of the Dark Knight. Then he takes the quiz, and while Johnson gets “lairy,” Nish chews a thoughtful pencil trying to figure out what “arugula” is.

Hello, Clarice

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CrocIn our Cinco de Mayo and Star Wars Day episode, we talk about, well, cannibals. First, the Jamestown settlers who got quite hungry, then the movie “Alive,” then whether James or Johnson would be more delicious. Later, Rob joins us for the quiz and tries to figure out what it means to be “carded”; Johnson meanwhile tries to keep “bunking off” above the waist (spoiler alert; he doesn’t.)

Help!

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beatles_helpThis picture is a red herring: we actually talk about the movie “The Help” which leads to us revisiting the whole Rodney King debacle. Then we chat about noun gender in various languages (including English), and finally discuss American TV shows that are based on British TV shows. Later, Karl and Lauren take the quiz, trying to figure out what a “Reuben” is, while Johnson tries to figure out what a “Tannoy” might be.

Breakfast In America

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SupertrampBreakfastInAmericaWe’ll take this week’s episode sunny side up! We talk mostly about the bountiful options available to Americans, everything from egg style to toast type. Later, Ed Gamble (the other half of Peacock & Gamble) arrives to take the quiz, and tries to figure out “hush puppy,” “cholo” and “tchatchke.” Johnson, meanwhile, has interesting definitions of “chav,” “todger” and “swizz.” Happy Earth Day, everyone!

Breaking The Rules

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NSY_board_gameIn this week’s episode, James describes narrowly dodging a traffic ticket from Henny Youngman, then talks about British vs American board games and nursery rhymes. Later, Kurt takes the quiz and tries to guess what a “Fluffernutter” is, while Johnson visits a “Wendy House.”

The Listeners Speak

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british-design-classics-stamps-db4Our faithful listeners get in touch: first Jochen writes from Hamburg to stick it to James about Easter, Heathrow Airport and British cars, but also asks about the origins of the word “loo.” Then Laci writes from Oregon and confirms the existence of a pop record once made by Bob Gandalf. Later, Ray Peacock of Peacock & Gamble calls in to chat about Star Wars figures, comedy double-acts, and getting more lines than any of the statues in the Doctor Who episode “Blink.” He then plays the “That’s Not English” quiz, and tries to guess what a “Monte Cristo” is, while Johnson tries to decipher a “sleeping policeman.”

Skyfool

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QuantumOfWallaceIn our April Fool’s show we talk about the breakfast of champions that is the Taco Bell A.M. Crunchwrap, then attempt to discuss the major developments at the end of Downton Abbey’s third season without actually discussing it. After that, we chat about April Fool’s Day and James Bond, and finally the politics of bagging your own shopping (or not.) Later, James’ mum returns for the “That’s Not English” quiz, and tries to guess what a “clunker” is, while Paul considers what a “balaclava” might be.