From riot women to Hippogriffs, this one’s a ride. In this episode of the Wordplay podcast, we dig into the history of “don’t look a gift horse in the mouth”. A phrase about gratitude, suspicion, and the strange etiquette of receiving things. Rachel actually did the research this time (miracles happen), so expect tales of ancient horse-trading, Buckbeak’s moral compass, and the social minefield of gift-giving. We also spiral into the semantics of generosity, the psychology of saying thank you, and why some gifts come with invisible strings… before, inevitably, beating the dead horse.

If you enjoyed this conversation, follow the podcast, leave us a review, tell your friends, or reach out to us directly on Instagram. Got an idiom you want us to chew on next? We’d love to hear it.

Find us here 👇George – https://linktr.ee/makingafuss

Rach – https://www.instagram.com/rachelwalker.co/

Patience might be a virtue, but it’s definitely not our strong suit. In this episode of the Wordplay podcast, we tackle “hold your horses” and gallop through animal racing (which we know absolutely nothing about), being picked last in school sports, and planning lunch before breakfast is even over. There’s talk of 1800s America, front-line battle scenes in Game of Thrones, and a few mild existential crises along the way. All in all, a steady trot through chaos, curiosity, and the struggle to slow down.

If you enjoyed this conversation, follow the podcast, leave us a review, tell your friends, or reach out to us directly on Instagram. Got an idea for a podcast episode or your own take on this idiom? We want to know.

Find us here 👇

George – https://linktr.ee/makingafuss

Rach – https://www.instagram.com/rachelwalker.co/

Secrets never stay hidden for long, and ours tend to tumble out with a dramatic flourish. In this episode of the Wordplay podcast, we unwrap “the cat’s out the bag” and talk about surprise parties, unexpected confessions, and why a good room redecoration can change your whole mood. There’s also a questionable debate about whether dogs land on their feet, a detour into life at sea, and a full celebration of the chaotic masterpiece that is The Sims Medieval.

If you enjoyed this conversation, follow the podcast, leave us a review, tell your friends, or reach out to us directly on Instagram. Got an idea for a podcast episode or your own take on this idiom? We want to know.

Find us here 👇

George – https://linktr.ee/makingafuss

Rach – https://www.instagram.com/rachelwalker.co/

Some conversations should probably stay sealed, but when have we ever managed that? In this episode of the Wordplay podcast, we open the idiom “a can of worms” and find everything from fishing trips and maggots to Rachel’s questionable memory and George’s new house decor. We talk about how a bestie link can traverse all planes, whether patience is really just avoidance in disguise, and how the cans we’ve already opened shape the choices we make. Naturally, there’s a brief history detour and the hot take that fishing might just be boring.

If you enjoyed this conversation, follow the podcast, leave us a review, tell your friends, or reach out to us directly on Instagram. Got an idea for a podcast episode or your own take on this idiom? We want to know.

Find us here 👇

George – https://linktr.ee/makingafuss

Rach – https://www.instagram.com/rachelwalker.co/

Do images really say more than words, or do they just make us feel faster? In this episode of the Wordplay podcast, we explore “a picture is worth a thousand words,” comparing nostalgia sparked by photos, writing, and music. We talk about taking breaks from Instagram as emotional circuit breakers, why metaphors might be essential for understanding anything at all, and the eternal struggle of preferring the book to the film. Somewhere between memory, meaning, and media, we try to figure out how the human mind stores what matters most.

If you enjoyed this conversation, follow the podcast, leave us a review, tell your friends, or reach out to us directly on Instagram. Got an idea for a podcast episode or your own take on this idiom? We want to know.

Find us here 👇

George – https://linktr.ee/makingafuss

Rach – https://www.instagram.com/rachelwalker.co/

What’s better, holding onto what you’ve got or risking it for something shinier? In this episode of the Wordplay podcast, we unpick “a bird in the hand is worth two in the bush,” diving into falconry origins, human greed, and why we keep gambling with what’s right in front of us. Expect talk of Lego Star Wars, diseased birds, and the uncomfortable truth that nothing is really forever, no matter how much we try to hold on. It’s part philosophy, part chaos, and fully feathered.

If you enjoyed this conversation, follow the podcast, leave us a review, tell your friends, or reach out to us directly on Instagram. Got an idea for a podcast episode or your own take on this idiom? We want to know.

Find us here 👇

George – https://linktr.ee/makingafuss

Rach – https://www.instagram.com/rachelwalker.co/

In this spine-tingly, giggly, mildly unhinged Halloween episode, we pry open the metaphorical wardrobe and see what bones fall out. We talk about “skeletons in the closet” and end up stumbling into existential dread, childhood trick-or-treat memories, scary movies, and spiders so enthusiastic about the recording that they tried to join in.

There are corpses, costumes, and a moment of nostalgia for Bebo (RIP). As always, we veer cheerfully between daft and deep without warning. Prepare for laughter, reflection, and if you're watching on Spotify - some spooky accessories.

If you enjoyed this conversation, follow the podcast, leave us a review, tell your friends, or reach out to us directly on Instagram. Got an idea for a podcast episode or your own take on this idiom? We want to know.

Find us here 👇

George – https://linktr.ee/makingafuss

Rach – https://www.instagram.com/rachelwalker.co/

In this episode, we try to figure out how “the proof is in the pudding” has changed its meaning over time. From testing a meal to testing a theory, and what that says about how language (and people) evolve! Naturally, this leads to talk of unbearable heat, spontaneous poetry for strangers, starting a dessert business, and a few potentially murderous puddings. Expect sticky metaphors, warm weather delirium, and some surprisingly deep thoughts about evidence, trust, and taking things at face value.

If you enjoyed this conversation, follow the podcast, leave us a review, tell your friends, or reach out to us directly on Instagram. Got an idea for a podcast episode or your own take on this idiom? We want to know.

Find us here 👇

George – https://linktr.ee/makingafuss

Rach – https://www.instagram.com/rachelwalker.co/

This ancient phrase from Heraclitus says change is the only constant — but how does that play out in everyday life? We dive into the idiom “you never step in the same river twice” and chat about relationships, memory, time, and why we keep trying to hold onto moments that inevitably slip away. It’s part philosophy lesson, part therapy session, and fully chaotic river-walk energy.

If you enjoyed this conversation, follow the podcast, leave us a review, tell your friends, or reach out to us directly on Instagram. Got an idea for a podcast episode or your own take on this idiom? We want to know.

Find us here 👇

George – https://linktr.ee/makingafuss

Rach – https://www.instagram.com/rachelwalker.co/

What happens when you get so caught up in the details that you miss the bigger picture? In this episode of the Wordplay podcast, we unpick the idiom “can’t see the wood for the trees” and explore why perspective is so hard to hold onto. Expect philosophical tangents, messy personal stories, and a few laughs about overthinking the small stuff while missing what really matters.

If you enjoyed this conversation, follow the podcast, leave us a review, tell your friends, or reach out to us directly on Instagram. Got an idea for a podcast episode or your own take on this idiom? We want to know.

Find us here 👇

George – https://linktr.ee/makingafuss

Rach – https://www.instagram.com/rachelwalker.co/