Fry's English Delight - Series 2

Series Two
Four episodes of approx. 30 min. each, broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in 2009.

S02E01 So Wrong It's Right 
Stephen examines how 'wrong' English can become right English. For example, nowadays, more people use the word 'wireless' in a computer context than in a radio one. With help from a lexicographer, an educationalist, a Times sub-editor and a judge, Stephen examines the way in which usage changes language. He applauds the council leader who claimed the services provided by her local authority should be seen as strawberry-flavoured and castigates attempts at banning government jargon like step change and synergie. Banning words is fruitless; he favours blue sky thinking, and strawberry flavouring.

S02E02 Speaking Proper 
Stephen investigates what nowadays counts as 'speaking proper'. It may be that elocution classes for children are being replaced with 'presentation skills' courses for adults, but we still see effective communication as the key to success. Stephen announces a field day for pedants in his investigation into what nowadays counts as 'speaking proper'.

S02E03 Hallo!
Stephen says 'goodbye' with a programme about 'hallo', and how it came to be one of the world's favourite words.

S02E04 The Joy of Gibberish

Stephen Fry investigates the phenomenon of gibberish - what it is, why we write and speak and sing it, and why we enjoy it so much. Words like 'awaopbopbaloobop awop bam bam' and Bill and Ben's contemporary sounding catchphrase 'blogalog'.