Susie Dent On the Wonders of the English Language (Part 1)

Intelligence Squared

Arts, News, Society & Culture, News Commentary

4.2 • 1.1K Ratings

🗓️ 10 January 2025

⏱️ 33 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

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Summary

The genius of Countdown’s dictionary corner Susie Dent is the master of the English language. Lexicographer and etymologist by training, she has spent 30 years on our screens explaining the history and origin of words on one of the world’s longest-running game shows, Channel 4’s Countdown. In November 2024 Dent came to the Intelligence Squared stage to discuss her life-long love affair with the English language and how it has culminated in her debut crime novel Guilt by Definition — a glorious celebration of the English dictionary. As all good crime novels begin, it unfolds around a mysterious disappearance. And the protagonist, Martha Thornhill, Senior Editor of the Clarendon English Dictionary, uses words, and their peculiarly precise meanings, as clues in her quest to find out what really happened. This is the first instalment of a two-part episode. If you'd like to become a Member and get access to all our full ad free conversations, plus all of our Members-only content, just visit intelligencesquared.com/membership to find out more. For £4.99 per month you'll also receive: - Full-length and ad-free Intelligence Squared episodes, wherever you get your podcasts - Bonus Intelligence Squared podcasts, curated feeds and members exclusive series - 15% discount on livestreams and in-person tickets for all Intelligence Squared events ... Or Subscribe on Apple for £4.99: - Full-length and ad-free Intelligence Squared podcasts - Bonus Intelligence Squared podcasts, curated feeds and members exclusive series … Already a subscriber? Thank you for supporting our mission to foster honest debate and compelling conversations! Visit intelligencesquared.com to explore all your benefits including ad-free podcasts, exclusive bonus content and early access. … Subscribe to our newsletter here to hear about our latest events, discounts and much more. https://www.intelligencesquared.com/newsletter-signup/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Transcript

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1:00.1	Welcome to Intelligence Squared, where great minds meet.
1:03.8	I'm producer Leila Ishmael.
1:06.2	Our guest on the podcast today is the genius of Countdown's Dictionary corner, Susie Dent.
1:12.9	She was live on stage on the 30th of September, 2024, at Kielm Theatre in London to talk
1:18.8	about her debut crime novel, Guilty by Definition, which is a glorious celebration of the English
1:24.7	Dictionary. Joining her to discuss it all was critic, journalist and co-host
1:29.8	of Graham Norton's book club Alex Clark. This recording is in two parts. Intelligence Squared premium
1:36.9	subscribers can get early access to part two straightaway, including content that isn't available anywhere else.
1:44.5	Head to Intelligencesquare.com forward slash membership to find out more or hit the IQ2
1:50.1	extra button on Apple. Now let's join our host Alex Clark live on stage with Susie Dent.
1:56.6	Thank you so much. Thank you. It's so, it's so lovely to be here with Susie. We're not any of
	...

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