Are you repelled by certain words? Do you get that fingernails-on-chalkboard feeling when someone says ‘moist,’ ‘dollop’ or ‘fascia’? In this week’s episode Kavita Pillay, who has some word aversions of her own, seeks answers from linguists who study this phenomenon.

Music in the podcast by Podington Bear, Kikoru and Blue Dot Sessions. Photo by Sauli Pillay.