The Icks Factor

Thoughts, prayers and Chinese whispers

The language and terminology of the gender debate navigated and explained. What politicians hear on the doorstep and what they say to sound human. Is 'Double Dutch' the same as being 'All Greek', and should we end the Mexican stand-off? And when you look back on Beatles lyrics, are they Getting Better?

The Deep State We’re in

A Middle East conflict lexicon, red pills and blue pills- how the language of conspiracy theories has been influenced by The Matrix -and FFS!-  why swearing is good for you.

The Icks Factor

Whitewash or celebration? The “Michael” movie is reviewed. Plus: from breadcrumbing to ghosting via the Ick - The A to Gen Z of the language of love, attraction and rejection, and how it’s changing.

Pronoun or against?

Why Love Thy Neighbour meant something very different in the 1970s, and how American series like the Cosby Show made our tv screens a lot less racist. Plus, the debate over pronouns – inclusive and respectful yes, but can they make others feel left out? And is the word 'Toxic' so poisonous it should be decontaminated?

Live and Let Diary

Are “Blackface” and “Whiteface” equally offensive? Michael Gove tells us how not to let words get you kicked out of the Commons, how Samuel Pepys got voted out of school after 350 years, and have we got better at tolerating accents we don’t like?