286. Who is Responsible for the Most Deaths in History?: The Story of Thomas Midgely Jr! (English Vocabulary Lesson)
Today I want to tell you the story of Thomas Midgely Jr. He was a scientist, engineer, and incredibly successful…
London’s New Overground Line Names Explained! (Bonus Episode)
London has just announced new names for six of its overground train lines. These names are both fascinating and slightly…
Do You Know Your Country’s History? (Conversation Club)
This week the ‘Thinking in English’ Community is talking about your country’s history. Every country has a history. Some are…
283. Who Were the Anglo-Saxons? (English Vocabulary Lesson)
Today, I want to introduce a piece of British history. We’ll look at the Anglo-Saxons and discuss the myths and…
What is the Royal Family’s Real Name? And Other Famous Name Changes! (Bonus Episode)
Did you know that the British Royal Family changed their name 100 years ago? The House of Windsor only began…
279. Indian Mutiny, the Cat-O’-Nine-Tails, and Mercury Poisoning: The Surprising Origins of English Idioms! (English Vocabulary Lesson)
What do the 1857 Indian Mutiny, a brutal punishment feared by sailors, and mercury poisoning all have in common? All…
278. The History of Fish and Chips! (English Vocabulary Lesson)
Fish and chips is the most iconic, and one of the most popular, dishes from the United Kingdom. Today, let…
Remember, Remember, the 5th of November: A Story of Gunpowder, Religious Terrorism, and a Plot to Overthrow the English Government! (Bonus Episode)
Today I’d like to take an in depth look at the Gunpowder plot. Let’s discuss the background to the plot,…
268. History of Zombies: From Haiti and Voodoo to the Night of the Living Dead! (English Vocabulary Lesson)
What is a zombie? You might be thinking of the flesh-eating, undead monsters common in Hollywood, but the origin of…