Did I Mention I’m Sick?

Posted on September 26, 2014 by James

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 21:32 — 15.0MB)

A shorter than usual show this week, because I was, well, not well. But it’s still a good one: we talk about the Scottish referendum result, and get letters from listeners Amy and LaToya. Amy talks about how the “ABC song” doesn’t work when sung the British way (and it’s hard to argue.) LaToya chats about London, flags, and haggis. Then I go and lie down, because, did I mention I’m sick?

Oh, here’s Toyah Willcox, even worse than I remember.

Whatever, Scotland

Posted on September 18, 2014 by James

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 32:44 — 22.7MB)

Inevitably, this week we discuss Scottish independence, which at time of posting is still undecided. We talk about how sad it’ll be, and how it’ll ruin the lovely British flag. Then we dip into the Ed Files to discuss some U.S. products banned in other countries (everything from lipstick to hairstyles) and then some foreign products banned in the U.S. (including haggis. That’s right, Scotland, nobody wants your bloody haggis. Good luck running an economy on haggis! Okay, I’m done.)

The Delicious Bald Eagle

Posted on September 12, 2014 by James

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 39:56 — 27.7MB)

This week, the listeners single-handedly prop up the show. First, Chris Morris sends us some observations and a poem. Then, Beth Kent gives some suggestions for Johnson’s upcoming trip to London, and a list of things some foreigners have observed about America, its citizens, and of course our majestic and tasty national bird.

Where Fish Go in the Summer

Posted on August 29, 2014 by James

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 39:54 — 27.7MB)

This week, after I complain about an odd inconsistency with our old friend the letter zed, we enjoy listening to some Americans arguing amongst themselves about an unusual American term. Then we hear from listener Lisa, and later, Scott returns to take the quiz and tries to define a “Ponzi scheme”, while Johnson goes “busking.”

Link to the gaming video mentioned here; link to the show we did comparing British and American meaning of words is here.

Snacks: The Great Divide

Posted on August 22, 2014 by James

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 43:39 — 30.2MB)

This week, after I complain about some over-flexibility in American pronunciations, listener Andrea asks how to blend in while on vacation in the UK. Then, we listen to some Irish people trying American snacks, then some Americans trying Irish snacks. Then we hear about some product names which turned out to be rude when translated into local languages, and also some unfortunate domain-name choices.

Oh: the Conan O’Brien clip referenced is here.

Our Friends to the North

Posted on August 15, 2014 by James

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 40:02 — 27.8MB)

This week, Johnson makes an observation on the British version of the magical negro, after which we discover how much (or little) Americans know about Canada. Then, Johnson fields some searching questions about American life, and later we try and guess the meaning of some Australian slang words.

Some links to things we mention: the Not The Nine o’Clock News shoe heist sketch, and some Paul Hogan Foster’s Lager commercials, here, here and here.

Punctuation and Strippers

Posted on August 8, 2014 by James

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 48:50 — 33.8MB)

This week, after a quick elucidation of the scandalous non-flipping pancake race, we discuss the proper way to say “data,” then Mollie clarifies coffee, literally. Then I reveal my formula for creating the perfect American name, and Jochen quizzes us about British vs American punctuation. Later, Sam takes the quiz, and tries to guess what an “Oriole” is, while Johnson gets a hat trick by failing to stay above the waist for a single guess. As if all this wasn’t enough, it’s followed by a gripping, tie-breaking game of Rock Paper Scissors.

Kancakes!™

Posted on July 25, 2014 by James

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 43:15 — 30.0MB)

This week, we read some listener letters, which leads to the invention of the official show drink (Beerbon™) and an education on how important pancakes are in a certain Kansas town. Then we tease our trip (triptease, ha) and later, Cocker takes the quiz and tries to figure out who “Rosie The Riveter” is, while Johnson tries “Gurning.” And for those who missed it, the number for Beano’s Kebabs in Westgate-on-Sea is 835532.

Ed Gamble, Ed Gamble, Ed Gamble.

Posted on July 18, 2014 by James

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 29:32 — 20.5MB)

This week, we phone it in and shamelessly exploit our tenuous association with Ed Gamble, star of BBC America’s new show Almost Royal. A trip down memory lane in which Ed Gamble does rather well on the quiz, and I tell my Bree Walker / Jack Nicholson / Scott Baio story, which Johnson (gasp) makes dirty. A proper show next week (honest) but in the meantime, enjoy the sheer Ed Gambliness of Ed Gamble. Ed Gamble.

We Have Unicorns!

Posted on July 12, 2014 by James

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 36:17 — 25.2MB)

This week, we discuss my (possibly irrational) bitterness towards Argentina, and then listen to a German hit song about their rubbish collectors. We get a letter from Ron about how beermaking relates to coffee, and a letter from Chris Morris about (song cue) the correlation between hyphenation and pronunciation. Then, Johnson and Jennifer face off in a quiz testing their knowledge of British trivia and American citizenship questions. The winner gets to sleep with me!

Transatlantically Speaking

A weekly Anglo-American podcast about British and American culture

Tag Archives: British