Culture
Susie Dent’s Top 10s: Ten malaphors
Malaphors - a blend of malapropisms and metaphors. Whether you like them, dislike them, or still aren't entirely sure what they are, this week's top...
How a new dam saved the island of Mont-Saint-Michel
Mont-Saint-Michel recently celebrated its 1,000th birthday. The stunning abbey is famed for its isolated location, sitting roughly a mile off the...
Why Is There a Scottish Village In Italy? 🇮🇹
The Italian Alps, home to countless quintessential Italian villages…and one not-so traditional. Welcome to Gurro, the Scottish village in Italy....
Susie Dent’s Top 10s: Ten words to make you sigh
Have you suspired recently? Many of us have, possibly without knowing it, for ‘suspire’ is a beautiful, all-but-forgotten word from the 15th cen...
Mahua | The Indian liquor banned by the British Raj now making a comeback
Mahua is a sweet, floral liquor native to India. You might not have heard of it before, but it has been consumed for centuries. It was a regular part...
Krampus, Hans Trapp and the best Christmas villains
Santa Claus, Father Christmas, Saint Nicholas – they are just a few of the different names to describe the jolly man who has come to personify C...
The Original Warrior Energy Bar
Churchkhela has been a favored snack in many countries for thousands of years. However, despite this, it is still relatively unknown to the wider...
Susie Dent’s Top 10s: Ten words with grisly backstories
Ugsome: it’s a word from the past I like to resurrect when I encounter something that is really, truly revolting. The ‘ug’ part is a borrowing from...
The history of Big Ben, Great Tom and the world's most famous clock
Nowadays, Big Ben is a worldwide tourist attraction and a fixture of the London skyline. What you might not know, however, is that the impressive...
What is Japan's Stinkiest Superfood?
Have you tried nattō? 🇯🇵🫘If not, don't worry as we're here to help you expand your palette. Nattō are soybeans that have been fermented by a bacteria...
Susie Dent's Top 10s: Ten Characters in the Dictionary
From the mysterious Uncle Bob to the real McCoy and an intelligent Alec, the English language has plenty of examples of dictionary characters. This...