Sinister

If you’re easily grossed out then probably best to cover your ears for this one… in honour of the spookiest time of the year we’re digging around words with gruesome origins. From black books to black boxes, sarcasm to travel, and from loopholes to chivvying along, we uncover the often bloody backgrounds to these seemingly innocent terms. We also recoil at those everyday words that send a shiver down our spines, Susie has a trio of words to remember, and Gyles tells some particularly gruesome tales involving Chevy Chase, Rod Hull, and a terrifying woodwork teacher. A Somethin' Else production. Susie’s Trio: Witches’ knickers - a term for plastic bags stuck in the branches of a tree Abibliophobia - the fear of being without books Balatronic - pertaining to a clown or a buffoon. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices