The Allusionist

155. The Tiffany Problem


Listen Later

The name Tiffany has been around for some 800 years. But you can't name a character in a historical novel 'Tiffany', because people don't believe the name is old. Science fiction and fantasy author Jo Walton coined the term "The Tiffany Problem" to express the disparity between historical facts and the common perception of the past.

Find out more information about the topics in this episode at theallusionist.org/tiffany, plus a transcript and the full dictionary entry for the randomly selected word.

Sign up to be a patron at patreon.com/allusionist and not only are you supporting an independent podcast, you get patron-exclusive video livestreams and a Discord community full of language chat, craft pics and word game camaraderie.

The Allusionist's online home is theallusionist.org. Stay in touch at twitter.com/allusionistshow, facebook.com/allusionistshow and instagram.com/allusionistshow

The Allusionist is produced by me, Helen Zaltzman. The music is composed and sung by Martin Austwick. Hear Martin’s own songs via palebirdmusic.com.

 

Support the show: http://patreon.com/allusionist

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

...more
View all episodesView all episodes
Download on the App Store

The AllusionistBy Helen Zaltzman

  • 4.7
  • 4.7
  • 4.7
  • 4.7
  • 4.7

4.7

2,956 ratings


More shows like The Allusionist

View all
Radiolab by WNYC Studios

Radiolab

43,845 Listeners

This American Life by This American Life

This American Life

90,695 Listeners

Answer Me This! by Helen and Olly

Answer Me This!

821 Listeners

the memory palace by Nate DiMeo

the memory palace

6,863 Listeners

99% Invisible by Roman Mars

99% Invisible

26,163 Listeners

Imaginary Worlds by Eric Molinsky | QCODE

Imaginary Worlds

1,988 Listeners

Gastropod by Cynthia Graber and Nicola Twilley

Gastropod

3,586 Listeners

Sidedoor by Smithsonian Institution

Sidedoor

2,176 Listeners

Twenty Thousand Hertz by Dallas Taylor

Twenty Thousand Hertz

3,913 Listeners

Lingthusiasm - A podcast that's enthusiastic about linguistics by Gretchen McCulloch and Lauren Gawne

Lingthusiasm - A podcast that's enthusiastic about linguistics

628 Listeners

Ologies with Alie Ward by Alie Ward

Ologies with Alie Ward

23,443 Listeners

Decoder Ring by Slate Podcasts

Decoder Ring

2,073 Listeners

Articles of Interest by Avery Trufelman

Articles of Interest

3,299 Listeners

Words Unravelled with RobWords and Jess Zafarris by Words Unravelled with RobWords and Jess Zafarris

Words Unravelled with RobWords and Jess Zafarris

58 Listeners

Hyperfixed by Hyperfixed & Radiotopia

Hyperfixed

531 Listeners