Common Language

Helen and Gavin continue their biography themed season by looking at major founders of youth movements in the US and UK, Juliette Gordon Low and Lord Baden-Powell. Helen's vocab of the episode looks at the origins of a colorful British way to describe something all style and no substance.

Helen and Gavin continue their biography themed season by looking at the first female pioneers of aviation, Harriet Quimby and Amy Johnson. Helen's vocab of the episode looks at the origins of an American way to describe cravings.

Helen and Gavin continue their biography themed season by looking at the first black American and British consultant physicians, James McCune Smith and James Samuel Risien Russell. Helen's vocab of the episode looks at a colorful way to describe a messy situation, but not that one.

Helen and Gavin continue their biography themed season by looking at American and British pioneers in medicine and nursing, Clara Barton and Florence Nightingale. Helen's vocab of the episode takes a southern look at a food-related insult.

Helen and Gavin continue their biography themed season by looking at how different sides of the Atlantic chose to represent a fictional cartoon character with a rhyming name at exactly the same time. Helen's vocab of the episode takes a festive look at the term Chrimbo.

Helen and Gavin continue their biography themed season by looking at a couple of female political firsts; Congresswoman Jeannette Rankin and Nancy Astor MP, although Gavin has an interesting curveball to throw into the mix. Helen's vocab of the episode tucks in its napkin to discuss American delicacy of Rocky Mountain Oysters.

Helen and Gavin continue their biography themed season by looking at a couple of examples of real-life folk heroes from opposite sides of the pond. Helen's vocab of the episode takes a look at the term "tosser". It's a real eye opener.

Helen and Gavin continue their biography themed season by looking at the most prolific serial killers on either side of the Atlantic, a topic filled with similarities and differences. Helen also explains the meaning of "drothers," a term that has confused Gavin for the best part of a week.

Helen and Gavin kick off their third Common Language season by looking at the respective wartime leaders of the US and the UK, their achievements and some aspects that history tries to forget. Helen also looks into the recent popularity of the insult, "Cockwomble." Something for everyone!

Helen and Gavin talk about the different approaches to movie ratings and classifications in the US and the UK. Helen also investigates the origins of the phrase, "It's Baltic out there."

Helen and Gavin talk about SoHo and Soho, areas of New York and London respectively. Wouldn't you know it, but there are some similarities between the two despite the fact that the names aren't related. Helen also explains the background to the US phrase, "I could care less."

Helen and Gavin talk about the different approaches to various types of meat on opposite sides of the Atlantic. As expected, we talk a lot about bacon, but attitudes to lamb, chicken, and different types of sausage also get some air-time.

After patting ourselves on the back a couple of weeks ago, we relent and talk about how the Spanish Flu and the Black Death spread. It's not the cheeriest episode we've ever done. Gav later described it as our The Road. But hey, it's done, we won't do it again, and the Vocab Word of the Episode is much cheerier!

Helen and Gavin ignore the pandemic and talk about the serious stuff -- the differences between zip codes and post code. There's a lot of similarities but enough differences to be interesting. Plus, we introduce a new segment into the podcast, which is exciting!

Helen and Gavin get their commerce caps on and chat about the differences between the shopping experience on either side of the Atlantic, paying particular attention to those pesky supermarkets.

It's another taste-test episode. Helen and Gavin talk about the differences between bourbons and scotches, chat about the increased availability of both, and then sample a few cheeky numbers at the end. Good times.

At the start of a new decade, Helen and Gavin look back to the US and the UK during the 1920s, a decade that is perhaps looked back upon through rose-tinted spectacles but is maybe a more difficult time, much like the 2020s have proved to be so far.

Seasons Greeting from Common Language! In the second of our two-parter, Helen and Gavin take a look at two sitcoms that were created in the UK and then were remade in the US. This part focusses on the UK and US versions of The Office before turning its attention to how The Thick of It was developed into Veep via a very disappointing direct remake.

In the first of a two-parter, Helen and Gavin take a look at two sitcoms that were created in the UK and then were remade in the US. This part focusses on Til Death Us Do Part / All in The Family and Man About The House / Three's Company. As you'd expect, there are similarities and differences in both but we can all agree that some have aged better than others. Join us in two weeks for part two where we look at the UK and US versions of The Office and how The Thick of It translated into Veep.

Helen and Gavin take a look at the similarities and differences between soft drinks in the US and the UK, taking particular note of catch-all terms such as soda, pop, coke, and ginger, and focus on the Scottish soft-drink that refuses to buckle to the power of global brand juggernauts. It's phenomenal.

Helen and Gavin take a look at the similarities, differences, and origins of putting the clocks back or forward in the US and the UK, how it has little if anything to do with farmers, question the motives of a certain Benjamin Franklin, and take a broad look at some of the more curious time zones scattered around the globe.

Helen and Gavin take a look at the similarities, differences, and origins of Halloween in the US and the UK, what we all mean when we ask trick or treat, and why an old classmate of Gavin's should always be at the back of line dooking for apples.

Helen and Gavin take a look at the differences and similarities between UK and US weddings and Gavin finally understands why Helen shoved cake in his face.

Helen and Gav have a look at the differences between monetary units used in the US and the UK, attempting to put some sense around pre-decimalization in the UK, figuring out just why a nickel is bigger than a dime, and why exactly they are called dollars and pounds anyway.

Helen and Gav have a look at the differences and similarities between imperial and metric. Does the US resist the metric system, or does it accept it on the down low? Have a wee listen to find out!

Helen and Gav are back from their summer break with a new episode that couldn't be closer to the cultural zeitgeist if it tried - vegetables. Confused about mangetout and sugar snap peas, eggplant and aubergine? We walk through the linguistic minefield for you as we ease ourselves into season two.

It's our season one finale where we talk about the differences between lawyers in the US and solicitors in the UK and touch on other aspects of the legal system and some strange, outdated laws that exist on both sides of the Atlantic. We'll be back in September with season two and may drop little tidbits between then and now. Until then, if there's any subject you'd like us to cover, send us an email to commonlanguagepodcast@hotmail.com. Be sure not to ask us why it's hotmail. Have a great summer, thanks for your support this year, and we'll speak to you all soon!

Helen and Gav tackle another food episode, comparing the differences between US and UK chocolate, which is not without its controversies. And in a Common Language first, at the halfway point we have a live taste test where Gav reacts to sampling his first ever bar of Hershey's.

In this episode, Helen and Gavin briefly suspend their disbelief to discuss the various legendary creatures that inhabit the Great Lakes, and compare it with one of Scotland's main exports, the Loch Ness Monster. They also talk about Scooby Doo. And Ted Danson.

The Oscars happened recently. Gav wanted to bet on them. He couldn't. And so, episode 16 of Common Language was born, looking at the differences in gambling regulations within the US and how those compare with the UK.

There are many differences between the US and UK models for health care. One makes more sense than the others. To us, at least. Guess which one.

It's our New Year's episode where we talk about the differences between an American New Year's Eve and a Scottish Hogmanay. And we do so in a hotel room in Connecticut, so please forgive, or enjoy, some of the additional background noises. Thanks to everyone who has downloaded and listened in 2018! Hope you all have a great 2019!

Is Christmas different between the US and the UK? Listen to the podcast to find out.

Helen and Gavin discuss the differences between special "big feast" holidays in the US and Scotland. Warning -- Gav reads out Burns' poetry and he isn't even sorry,

Helen and Gavin discuss the differences in the electoral systems in the US and UK. They also touch on the results of recent referenda.

Helen and Gavin discuss the cultural differences of offering gratuities for services received, mostly from wait staff in restaurants and bars but also scaling the heights of taxis, Ubers, bellhops, hotel maids, and Gavin's barber.

Helen and Gavin discuss the origins of the final letter of the alphabet and also look at date formats. It's the one you've been waiting for!

Helen and Gavin turn their eye to the differences between how the US and the UK treat potatoes. And also the methods that said potato gets chopped up. Lovely stuff.

Helen and Gavin turn their eye to the differences in clothing terminologies on both sides of the Atlantic, which somehow manages to encompass Wimpy restaurant dessert selections from the 70s, a double mention of Mark Twain, and a clothing faux pas at Glacier Nation Park's gift shop.

Helen and Gavin investigate the differences in American and British spellings, plus Gav decides to go off on a tangent regarding the way Britishisms are working their way into the American lexicon, and how Gavinisms are working their way into his workplace lexicon. It's bloody outrageous. Ooft!

We get a little sweary on this one, so be warned. By special request, Helen and Gavin investigate the differences between nature's calls on opposite sides of the Atlantic. Why are there two taps in some British bathrooms? And why are the cubicles in the US built with ridiculous gaps between the door and frame? Plus, Gav regales us with his experience of trying to go number two at Yellowstone. Doesn't everyone have a go number two at Yellowstone story?

If there's one thing that pisses UK people off, it's when Gav refers to football as soccer. But as we investigate there's a whole lot of similarities that we should be embracing. Plus, Gav learns how Grid Iron became a thing and how Aussie Rules Football and American Football aren't that separated after all.

If there's a subject we can talk about, it's immigration. But which country is hardest to get into? And which process is toughest? We cover the gambit of moving to a country where you weren't born, how tough the quizzes are before they let you become a citizen, and why Angelina Jolie is perhaps responsible for Gav not knowing what Beowulf is.

A flat tire ruins Helen's day but provides the inspiration to chat about the differences between the Intertstate Highway network in the US, the Motorway system in the UK, and general road and travel type stuff. In a moment of openness, Gavin shares memories of the two times roads have made him cry and why you don't want him driving at a roundabout.

George Bernard Shaw is attributed as saying that the US and UK are two countries separated by a common language. In this podcast, an American woman and her Scottish husband explore the accuracy of this statement, try to find commonalities, and embrace differences. In this pilot episode, they tackle the zeitgeist question. Cookies or Biscuits?