Main content

Being overheard

We're surrounded by other people's conversations. Four writers tell Chris Ledgard how they are inspired by the words they overhear.

From Manchester Piccadilly station to a supermarket checkout via an Irish bar in New York, modern writers discuss how they are inspired by the overheard.
We're surrounded by other people's conversations, and many of us try to block them out. But for Lavinia Greenlaw, David Calcutt and Craig Taylor, fragments of overheard talk have been a valuable source of material. In New York, Marilyn Horowitz recalls how a conversation at a neighbouring pub table helped her get over a case of writer's block.
Chris Ledgard presents.

Producer: Chris Ledgard.

Available now

30 minutes

Last on

Mon 12 Sep 201123:00

Broadcasts

  • Tue 6 Sep 201116:00
  • Mon 12 Sep 201123:00

Listen to Michael Rosen in conversation with The Open University

Listen to Michael Rosen in conversation with The Open University

Hear Michael reveal his own language journey.

Idioms Quiz

Idioms Quiz

Explore why languages have idioms with The Open University’s quiz.

Explore the OU’s Cultural Idioms Guide

Explore the OU’s Cultural Idioms Guide

Explore how some cultural idioms entered the English Language.

From blunk to brickfielder: our wonderful words for weather

From blunk to brickfielder: our wonderful words for weather

Exploring creative descriptions for wind, rainfall and sunny spells from around the world

Digital body language – how to communicate better online

Digital body language – how to communicate better online

We need to find new ways of talking to each other “virtually”.

Coinages that changed the world – and some that tried to...

Coinages that changed the world – and some that tried to...

Exploring the hidden histories of obscure words, and common buzz phrases.

Ittibitium, borborygmus, and Ba humbugi – 14 wonderful science words you’ve never heard of

Ittibitium, borborygmus, and Ba humbugi – 14 wonderful science words you’ve never heard of

Michael Rosen puts the language of science under the microscope.

Download this programme

Download this programme

Subscribe to this programme or download individual episodes.

Keywords for Our Time

Keywords for Our Time

Series of programmes examining key phrases in public debate.

Smiley face: Seven things you didn't know about emoji

Smiley face: Seven things you didn't know about emoji

Some facts about emoji - possibly the world's first truly global form of communication.

The funny words that kids invent

The funny words that kids invent

Have a look at some of the fantastic words that children invent and reimagine.

Podcast