Thelma Knowlson has an 'interesting' condition: she associates the name 'John' with a jug of yellow custard...

Thelma (far right) with members of her family

Ever since she can remember Thelma has associated certain names and some words with food. For example, Thelma is a vegetable marrow and John is custard. She assumed that everyone else thought this way, but few people are prepared to admit to it.

Thelma has absolutely no idea how she gained this strange 'skill' - just that it's something she's always had. But it's obviously genetic because Thelma's eldest grandson connects names with colours. It seems, though, that it's only the more traditional names that conjure up foodstuffs. The name, Brooklyn for example, does nothing for her.

Does the name Fiona conjure up for you a vision of a mushroom biryani or a puree of tadpoles lightly drizzled with balsamic vinegar.

Home Truths would like to know if you have a similar skill to Thelma

More Information

Home Truths: Compass Man
Radio 4: Hearing Colours, Eating Sounds
International Synaesthesia Association
BBCi News: 'I can see sounds'
h2g2: Synaesthesia