Popular Reviews of The Allusionist

A fascinating meander through the use and origin of words and phrases. Entertaining and educational, the show encourages us to think about what we say and why.

Great podcast for anyone who enjoys a playful and informative approach to examining the evolution of the English language.

Helen Z has been bringing the weirdest, wildest, and most paradigm changing episode on language since way back in her Radiotopia days. Now she stands alone and gives you episode after episode that forces you to think about what we do with language. Always a brilliant show

Things don't get more niche than a podcast that deals with the multi-language warning label inside Kinder Surprise one week and Hans Asperger's legacy the next, but it's done with such skill that it almost feels... normal. And once you've listened to a couple you're guaranteed to be hooked on the rest. Witty, smart and somehow wonderfully surreal.

Words, words, more words--it's wonderful

Short, well-edited and interesting stories about language, from someone who loves and is interested in words. Occasionally it also helps me keep my pedantry at bay.

Helen is very interesting and funny

I loved Helen on Answer me this and have greatly enjoyed the Allusionist. Her latest episode The Problem with Tiffany and her riff on the song Breakfast with Tiffany is hilllarious

Fantastic show for people who love language and words. At the itersection of language, culture, history and society.

Delightful and chock full of intelligent, fascinating content.

Brilliant Podcast from fellow Vancouverite!

Helen is a force of nature: always finding new, interesting topics to make me discover amazing aspects of the language. So entertaining!

I'm not sure my childhood self would have ever believed that grammar and language could be entertaining, but The Allusionist proves just that. Not only are these episodes consistently interesting, they're also a lot of fun. Yet the show also tackles important and heavy topics as well, things like language suppression, or how language affects the trans community—and always with a wonderfully inclusive viewpoint. Just an all-around great show.

Helen Zaltmann is the reason I podcast. I love language.

Consistently one of my favourite podcasts: witty, informative, intelligent, inclusive and always expanding my understanding of language and all the aspects of culture it influences. All constructed, coordinated and presented with care and great skill by Helen Zaltzman.