Talking Terrorism
It is a word that can start a war, incarcerate the innocent and bring a city to a standstill. Michael Rosen charts the changing meaning and power of the word 'terrorist'.
It's a word that can start a war, incarcerate the innocent and bring a city to a standstill. Since September 11th 2001 the question of who is and who is not a 'terrorist' has taken a central role in world affairs.
In 'Word of Mouth' Michael Rosen examines the roots of the word in the French Revolution, the strangely glamorous associations it took on in the late 1960s and the current debate over its use in post-9/11 legislation.
Last on
More episodes
Broadcasts
- Tue 28 Jan 201416:00BBC Radio 4
- Mon 3 Feb 201423:00BBC Radio 4
Listen to Michael Rosen in conversation with The Open University
Hear Michael reveal his own language journey.
Idioms Quiz
Explore why languages have idioms with The Open University’s quiz.
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
Exploring creative descriptions for wind, rainfall and sunny spells from around the world
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...
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
Michael Rosen puts the language of science under the microscope.
Download this programme
Subscribe to this programme or download individual episodes.
Keywords for Our Time
Series of programmes examining key phrases in public debate.
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
Have a look at some of the fantastic words that children invent and reimagine.
Podcast
![]()
Word of Mouth
Series exploring the world of words and the ways in which we use them
