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Professor Roly Sussex explains the phrases of the festive season.

What does it mean to be polite, and has that changed in recent years?

Professor Roly Sussex clarifies some common pronunciation problems and why different places have differing ways of saying the same thing.

Everyone loves a fresh turn of phrase, a new saying or an untested expression.  These newly coined phrases are called neologisms.

It might shock you, but Professor Roly Sussex says some language rules are made to be broken.

From "10-4" to "hammer down", Professor Roly Sussex unlocks the secret language of the roads.

Professor Roly Sussex takes us on a journey through history and language to explore France's lasting influence on the English vocabulary. 

Have you ever thought about why we call the objects in our kitchen whatever we call them?

Professor Roly Sussex unpacks the different ways women communicate, and how these contrasts emerged.

Professor Roly Sussex discusses the origins and uses of our 26 letters, and explains why we don't use a phonetic alphabet. 

Professor Roly Sussex is joined by ABC Radio Australia presenter Michael Chow, who speaks two and a half Papua New Guinean languages.

Professor Roly Sussex unpacks the language of some of the most successful adverts and why they have stood the test of time. 

Do you call a spade a spade, or do you prefer to be a bit more gentle with the things you say?  Professor Roly Sussex explores the use of hedging and why it's so common in the English language. 

Professor Roly Sussex explores how new insults have emerged and why some have disappeared from our vocabulary. 

Food isn't just something we eat, it's something we speak.  Professor Roly Sussex takes a bite out of the language of food, exploring the different flavour of phrases across cultures.