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00:31Hello everybody, welcome to Countdown. Thank you so much for tuning in. It is Thursday the 29th of January and
00:37hopefully you'll find nothing to moan or grumble or gripe about over the next 45 minutes or so.
00:44I tell you what, nothing to lament when it comes to Dictionary Corner is our ace lexicographer Susie Dent and
00:50alongside her and presenter, dating expert, jungle survivor, Tom Reid Wilson.
00:54While standing over there, always complaining about the choice of one large and five small, it's our Rachel Riley.
01:01And today is curmudgeon day, which is seen as an ill-tempered person of a certain age, but I think
01:08we use it more widespread now.
01:10Do you just mean you have a good moan about something? You're being cantankerous, you're being a curmudgeon?
01:14And we all love to do it, so who wants to go first?
01:19Go gansies.
01:20Rich, no surprise there.
01:22I'm not usually curmudgeonly.
01:25I don't like people who think taking their dog for a walk involves them riding the bike and dragging a
01:31dog along behind.
01:33It can't keep up, it can't stop.
01:35Sometimes out of breath, if it did stop, it would die. It's just cruel.
01:37That's more, you're being compassionate rather than a curmudgeon with that, though, isn't it?
01:42That's really nice.
01:43No, I'll tell you what's being a curmudgeon, right?
01:46Right?
01:47The word indicator.
01:49You know what it means?
01:51It means to indicate.
01:52It's not for you.
01:53It's not in your car for you.
01:55It's in your car for the person behind you.
01:58Indicate and then turn.
01:59Do you know what I mean?
02:00No, mirror, signal, manoeuvre.
02:01Mirror, signal, manoeuvre.
02:02And it's like it's so basic, yet the things that we penalise people financially for in the road up against
02:08the things that are so dangerous.
02:10The worst thing for me, you know, obviously, as a nation, we're really good at queuing.
02:13Give it to us, come on.
02:14Except when you get in a car, the worst people in the world for me are ones that skip past
02:18you in the streamline of an ambulance.
02:22Oh, that's unforgivable.
02:24So when you move out of the way to let the emergency services go past and then people go past,
02:26I mean, that should just be automatic prison.
02:29That's just not cricket.
02:30Oh, it's not.
02:31It really isn't.
02:31It really isn't.
02:32I have a very left field thing with the word curmudgeon because I've got a little collection of words in
02:37my brain that immediately conjure an image like an internal picture dictionary.
02:42And I always see Walter Matthau's face.
02:44Yes.
02:45Because he was the ultimate, wasn't he?
02:47Yes.
02:48That's a great choice.
02:49Yes.
02:49And, of course, the film Grumpy Old Men with Jack Lemmon.
02:52Yes.
02:52Oh, that's wonderful.
02:54Very funny.
02:55Brilliant stuff.
02:56Well, listen, Callum Ridley does not know the meaning of being an old curmudgeon.
02:59He joins us from Whittam in Essex.
03:01He's just 21.
03:03He had a blockbuster win yesterday.
03:05It was sensational.
03:06We loved it.
03:08It's great to have you back.
03:09And we were just talking about dogs.
03:10You would never take your Oscar for a walk while on a cycle, would you?
03:14That doesn't make sense.
03:15You know what I mean?
03:16Well, I can't ride a bike, so...
03:18LAUGHTER
03:20I'll take care of that.
03:22Tell me about Oscar, because I know that you're as close to your Oscar as I am to my body.
03:26Well, in actual fact, I didn't even want a dog.
03:28And when we got him, it was just like the best thing ever.
03:31Yes.
03:31Yes.
03:31What does Oscar bring into your life, if you know what I mean?
03:35It's happiness, isn't it?
03:36Oh, he's just a great joy to have around, so...
03:39Yeah.
03:39I've definitely made the right choice in getting him, that's for sure.
03:42Do you let him sleep in your bed?
03:44He does sleep upstairs, yeah.
03:45Yeah, you try not to, and you try and train, but there's nothing better than...
03:49We all said he's not going to go upstairs, and then he goes upstairs anyway.
03:52And then he goes upstairs, yes.
03:53Right, well, Callum, there you go.
03:55Hopefully you're not going home to Oscar any time soon, because we love having you here.
03:59But Nicky Peters would be happy if you're sleeping with your dog tonight.
04:03She joins us from Abergavenny.
04:05You've only moved to Wales, right?
04:07Yes, we've been there about four months now.
04:09Good stuff.
04:09And this is where it all comes together, because you're a keen baker.
04:13Yes, I love baking, so I bought you guys some Welsh cakes that I have made.
04:17You guys, you didn't give them to them.
04:19You give them to me here, here they are.
04:21What's in a Welsh cake?
04:22Uh, butter, sugar, flour, egg, allspice, and sultanas.
04:28It's a bit risky.
04:29You've only moved there four months, and you're bringing their national food on the television.
04:33Yeah, I hope you like it.
04:34Made with love.
04:35Lovely.
04:36Bring something for them tomorrow if you win, because they ain't getting these.
04:39Good luck, Nicky.
04:41And Callum.
04:47You know what to do.
04:48Hi, Rachel.
04:49Hi, Callum.
04:50Start of a consonant, please.
04:51I'll take over with a lot of stuff in his face.
04:53Start with R.
04:55And another.
04:56L.
04:57And another.
04:59S.
05:00And another.
05:01D.
05:02Vowel, please.
05:03E.
05:04And another.
05:05A.
05:06And another.
05:07I.
05:08Consonant, please.
05:10N.
05:13And a final vowel, please.
05:16And a final vowel, please.
05:17E.
05:17And start the clock.
05:19成 market.
05:47I'll see you next time.
05:49Callum, how many? Eight. And for you, Nicky? Eight as well.
05:53Oh, what a start. Callum? Realised. Yes, and Nicky? Same.
05:57Excellent. You can have your Welsh cake and eat it.
06:01Eight points each. Dictionary corner?
06:03We have a couple of other eights. We have Islander.
06:07Hey. And Nearside.
06:09And Nearside. Nearside? Back to the car.
06:11Oh, of course. Yes, Nearside if you're near the kerb, et cetera.
06:14Of course, there you go. What a start to today's show.
06:17Eight points each. And Nicky, you get to choose.
06:20Hi, Rachel. Hi, Nicky. Could I start with a consonant, please?
06:23Let's start with C. And another one, please.
06:27W. And a vowel.
06:29I. And another vowel.
06:31O. And a consonant.
06:34B. And a vowel.
06:37A. And another consonant.
06:41N. And another consonant.
06:45S. And a final one.
06:47A vowel, please.
06:47A final E.
06:49And half a minute.
06:51The vowel, please.
06:54I.
06:54I.
07:20Also, I'm zag.
07:21Nicky. Only a five, I'm afraid. That's OK, Callum. Six.
07:25And a six, a very difficult round. Nicky, the five. Bones.
07:29Yes, make no bones about this. Canoes. Canoes.
07:33Very good. Excellent stuff. Yes.
07:35Canoes is always a good one to have in your back pocket
07:38for a difficult round, actually. Comes out quite a bit.
07:40What about yourself, Mr Tom? Cow beans, we have.
07:44How many is that? Eight. Eight. That's eight.
07:47Take this to an eight. So if you see bane in anything, it means poison.
07:50So you know it's not going to be good. In this case, not good to cows, obviously.
07:54It's a poisonous plant of the parsley family.
07:56And if cattle, grazing cattle come across it, not a great thing.
08:00That's fantastic. Thank you very much, Susie.
08:02Callum takes six points and picks these numbers.
08:06Two large, please. Two this time.
08:08I never know what you're going to go for.
08:09You are a jack of all trades, numbers-wise.
08:12Let's try these for four, five, seven, two.
08:17With two big, 175.
08:20And the target, 806.
08:22806. Numbers up.
08:23Let's goad.
08:24Let's goad.
08:25Let's goad.
08:31Let's goad.
08:36Let's goad.
08:39Let's goad.
08:40Let's goad.
08:44You are a jack of Chinat.
08:44You're a jack of Chinat.
08:52You're a jack of Chinat.
08:53You're a jack of the most of the memory.
08:54806, Callum. 807. 807, one away, Nicky. 813.
09:00So, Callum for seven points. Four times two is eight.
09:03Four twos are eight. Times 100. 800.
09:07And add the seven. Yep, one away. Nice.
09:10Tricky one this, Rach. Yeah, trickier than your average too large.
09:14You could say 100 plus five, 105, times that by seven for 735,
09:20and then add the 75 for 810 and take away the four, 806. Nice.
09:25APPLAUSE
09:27And that gets us to our first tea time teaser, which is thug noise.
09:31Thug noise. It sounds like the time everyone behaved badly.
09:35It sounds like the time everyone behaved badly.
09:46APPLAUSE
09:53Welcome back, yes. It sounds like the time everyone behaved badly,
09:56a reference to the early part of this century,
09:58which became known as the noughties, 2-0-0-0. Yes. So there you go.
10:03Is that officially the noughties? Did that make the dictionary?
10:07Oh, definitely, yes. Been in since the noughties, in fact.
10:10Yeah. Funnily enough.
10:11Yeah, it would be weird if it went in before, wouldn't it?
10:14All right, back in the present time,
10:16Nicky's got her first part under her belt.
10:18Did very well, by the way.
10:20Started with an eight, not an easy numbers round,
10:23so happy days. You're picking these letters.
10:26Could I start with a vowel, please, Rachel?
10:28Thank you, Nicky. You?
10:29And a consonant. R. And a vowel. E.
10:36And another consonant. L. And another vowel. I.
10:42And a consonant. N. And another consonant. D.
10:48And a vowel. O. And a final consonant, please.
10:55A final G. Nice. Start the clock.
10:58A-N-L. And a vowel.
11:13Is that a vowel. Is that a vowel. Is that a vowel.
11:16And a vowel. Is that a vowel. Isосed the name of the Pascal.
11:29Nicky I've got seven and Callum nine oh he's got a max here Nicky what's the
11:35seven it's redoing let's see what he's got ungodly so for people that haven't
11:43been tuning in all week yesterday yesterday Callum had a nine and it was
11:49ungodly our sensational stuff hey you still got a spotted again so well goodness
11:56me like they just struck twice so dictionary corner let's have exactly the
12:01same conversation as yesterday have you got anything else no shall I move on yes
12:06very good indeed very good indeed and you're picking these letters Callum
12:10a consonant place thank you Callum ah and another D and another s and another
12:17C a vowel E and another A and another O consonant please N and a final vowel please
12:34final I and start the clock
12:39so
12:52so
13:08column trying of a nine yeah Nikki eight but I think I've just made this word up in fact I'm
13:13pretty sure I've made the word I love people who make words up though what is it it's like a
13:17real
13:17word but it's not quite chordines chordines I think I think in a chordites yes possibly and I panicked
13:23they've crossed over but listen you may as well throw it in there but yes yeah and columns on a
13:29nine here so what is it acridones how you spelling that a c r i d o n e s
13:36yeah I just rings a bell with
13:39me as well but it is not in the dictionary instead what is there is acridine which may be what
13:44we're
13:45thinking of and if it's any consolation it's a mass noun anyway at this days Nikki wishes she'd went
13:49with a six but she went with chordines yeah and that's not there either Nikki was absolutely right
13:53chordite but I think that it might even be a mass noun so but yeah no chordine I'm afraid what
14:00have
14:00you got we had my favorite hate is scenario yes scenario was there yes a couple more consider
14:08and anodizer yes and second was there I can give you 30 more and it's going to come with numbers
14:15Nikki
14:15could I have one large and five small please of course thank you Nikki one large five little coming
14:22up and this time the small numbers of five seven three five and one and the large one 100 and
14:31with
14:31them you need to find 328 three three eight numbers up
14:38so
15:04three two eight the target Nikki no I'm afraid I've only got three one eight three one eight just
15:10Callum I think I've got it not written down off you go five minus one is four yep times seven
15:17is 28 28 in
15:19the bank and then 100 times three gives you your 300 well done 10 points
15:24oh wow
15:27right 49 prayers eight as we head over to dictionary corner and Tom Reed Wilson and today I know you
15:34want
15:35to talk about children's books oh yes well I've always been a great bibliophile like my lovely neighbour
15:42here and it did begin in childhood and I think the thing that really cemented it for me was sort
15:47of
15:47discovering that I was growing up where the wind in the willows was set I grew up in Pangborn which
15:54is real Kenneth Graham territory and it's very unspoilt and it looks very much like you imagine in the book
16:02and then when I was a little bit older I read a wonderful book by Norton Juster that came out
16:08in
16:09the early 60s called the Phantom Tollbooth I don't know if you've ever read that but it's about two
16:14warring brothers who are kings and one rules a kingdom called
16:20digitopolis and he's dotty about numbers and the other one
16:24runs dictionopolis and he's mad about words and all the words have flavors and they trade them in the marketplace
16:29and
16:30and it made me think when I got to writing for children I want it to feel sort of chewy
16:35and
16:36physical and very alive you know I reread wind in the willows quite recently yeah just was able to
16:42pop it in the my little side pocket and just bring it out and I enjoyed it as much now
16:46as it did when
16:47I think some children's books really bear revisiting as an adult and I think chief amongst them actually
16:55is Winnie the Pooh yeah you read that as an adult and you just think he's a sublime philosopher
17:00that's so true but I have to say also it's too modest to say this but Tom's books for kids
17:04are
17:04absolutely lovely because you write poems with the words in them and they're just gorgeous yes wonderful
17:09words that tell a tale yes would you like one yes go for it croissant I just need to hear
17:17this word
17:18uttered to drool at its pastry so meltingly buttered but more than the taste which I think quite delicious
17:24I love how its shape hugs the edges of dishes for croissant means crescent and either applies
17:30to the sickle-shaped role or the moon in the skies when French children spy a croissant de lune
17:37it's likely that bedtime will be sometime soon ah lovely
17:46brilliant Tom thank you so so much oh my great pleasure I'm back to the game then with Callum on
17:5149
17:52Nicky on it long way to go though Callum your letters a consonant please thank you Callum
17:58g and another d and another m and another l a vowel please a and another o and another e
18:12and a consonant p and a final vowel please final u let's do it
18:24so
18:33so
18:47MUSIC PLAYS
18:51Callum.
18:52A risky seven, not written down.
18:53Risky seven.
18:54Nicky?
18:55Seven.
18:56Seven, not risky at all, Callum.
18:58Glumped?
18:59Glumped.
18:59So, fancy camping.
19:01And for you, Nicky?
19:02Plumage.
19:03And plumage.
19:04Plumage, excellent.
19:06Unfortunately, glamping is in, but not glamp as a verb.
19:10Yeah.
19:10Yeah, sorry about that.
19:12We've been here before, Callum.
19:13It's harsh because absolutely people say they glamped,
19:16but it hasn't made the dictionary yet.
19:18So, you know.
19:20What can you do?
19:21What else have we got?
19:22Well, it is actually permissible to tag a D on to plumage.
19:27Oh.
19:27I did wonder, but I didn't dare risk it.
19:29I needed to get out of single figures.
19:31I didn't blame you.
19:33Well, you were burned by the eight, weren't you?
19:35That's the thing, you know.
19:36That's true.
19:36It all feeds into each other.
19:38But I wouldn't worry about that at all.
19:40Nicky, you've got the points and you're choosing these letters.
19:42Could I have a vowel, please?
19:44Thank you, Nicky.
19:45E.
19:46And another one.
19:48O.
19:48And another one.
19:49I.
19:50And consonant.
19:52S.
19:53And another consonant.
19:54H.
19:55And another consonant.
19:57S.
19:58And another vowel.
19:59E.
20:00And another consonant.
20:02T.
20:03And a final consonant, please.
20:05A final.
20:06F.
20:07And 30 seconds in the clock.
20:09A final taką��.
20:10The Eiffelists A still.
20:31A timely manner.
20:33The Eiffelists A still.
20:35The Eiffelists A still.
20:37It's a serious way.
20:37The Eiffelists A still.
20:39We'll see you in the left.
20:40Nikki seven and column six a six there you go Nick he's on a roll
20:45What's the six hoists hoists and for you Nikki softish oh softish well yeah well done
20:52I haven't expected that one to be in but it is it's like the unusual well done
21:00So there you go you picked up on that six seven but is there any other kinks in those letters?
21:05Ha well did you do that on purpose yes no idea what you're talking about
21:11Because there is fetishes oh well spotted well for eight yes anything else
21:17No that's all there is so whatever tickles your fancy let's get on to the numbers for the third time
21:24today
21:25and column now try three large please three large another option you've not gone for we are trying them all
21:31three large three little
21:32Thank you, Callum the three little ones four nine and
21:36Five and then the big ones 50
21:39175 and the target
21:42793 seven nine three numbers up
22:16Seven nine three column I think I've got seven ninety three away Nikki no miles away. I'm afraid
22:24Colum's three away Rachel. So let's do that first 50 divided by 5 is 10 50 over 5 10
22:3275 plus 4 is 79 yep and times those together 790
22:39All right three large three small seven nine three
22:44I got two away apparently you could get to one away
22:48But you can't get to none away because this is impossible. Thank you very much. Let's get our tea time
22:53teaser which is to
22:54Plusher to plusher, but it's just T. Oh, I do this to make the chair plusher. I do this to
23:00make the chair plusher
23:16Hello again up holster is our tea time teaser answer and getting very comfortable in the champions chair is our
23:24Callum Ridley one for the first time yesterday
23:2756 points today, but Nikki's happy. She's had a little bit of a role. She's up to 22 and you're
23:33picking these letters
23:34Could I have a consonant, please? Thank you Nikki L
23:38And another one s and another one s and another one
23:43n and a fourth
23:45m and
23:47Then a vowel please you and another vowel oh and another vowel I and a consonant
23:55P and a final vowel please a final oh
23:59Ah, let's play
24:06You
24:31Nicky just a load of fives I'm afraid yeah and Callum stick with a six okay
24:37give me one of those fives Nicky pools yeah and give me one of the sixes poison
24:42poison yes two dictionary corner can we go any further than six we had for seven
24:49ominous yes very good and that's it at least in polonium which is a radioactive
24:55metal let's get back to the game and Callum you're choosing these letters a
25:00consonant please thank you Callum R and another S and another W and another T
25:12and a vowel E and another a and another O consonant please yes and another
25:24consonant please lastly T good luck
25:31so
25:57column eight yes Nicky seven seven is
26:04wasters you kick yourself a bit here I think with the way they came out Callum
26:07toasters toasters yes there you go toasters for it it was one of those rounds wasn't it
26:14because it just left a W over so absolutely a lot of people at home would have checked
26:18their phones or you know what I mean made a cup of tea yeah and that was exactly right
26:23because we only got that too all right then let's stay with you for origins of
26:27words Sue's well this question was asked by a couple of people actually Sue Griffin and also
26:32Barbara Heathcote and Sue asked this actually on behalf of her dad Ray Craythorne who she says is
26:39always asking questions and today would like to know where does no skin of my nose come from
26:45and we use it really to say well it doesn't bother me you know I'm not offended by this it's
26:51not really
26:52going to affect me adversely in any way whatsoever and it's first recorded in 1911 and very soon you've
26:59got quite a few spin-offs so you might find no skin off my bottom and various variations of bottom
27:04no skin off my back no skin off my bugle no skin off my ear so that happens quite a
27:11lot in English it
27:13usually actually comes from exaggeration so to be at sixes and sevens is all about dice and the numbers on
27:18a dice and it started off to be at five and sixes but we just up the ante and then
27:23lost all logic in
27:24the process but we think it probably comes from boxing because boxing imagery really runs through
27:31English in so many different ways obviously we throw in the towel we said by the bell and we roll
27:37with the punches we're on the ropes no holds barred no holds barred take yourself off the canvas down
27:43for the count punch above her weight but it's all about something which is quite physical and visceral
27:50when it comes to no skin off my nose and it comes from the sort of rough-edged culture of
27:561920s America
27:57I guess with speakeasies and that kind of thing but definitely well not definitely we think it began in
28:02the boxing ring brilliant thank you well Nikki punch your chance and I'm being a bit polite there
28:11look for a haymaker look for a haymaker all right let's get your letters good luck Nikki thank you
28:15could I have a consonant please thank you Nikki Q and a vowel a and another vowel oh and another
28:25vowel I
28:28consonant T and another consonant M and a vowel E and a consonant N and another consonant lastly L ah
28:45they
28:45got a bit better let's see
29:17Nikki 7 oh very good and column 7 7 as well what have you got there Nick elation and column
29:23tone now very
29:25different can we go up but surely after the start of those letters I'm guessing
29:31not but can we go above a seven no no one more seven with ailment yes and I
29:38wanted to say the mission you know when something turns more lemony but that
29:41won't happen so we'll just get our final letters from Callum Ridley our current
29:45champion a consonant please thank you Callum B and another G and another S and
29:55another T and a vowel oh and another I and another a consonant ah and another
30:09consonant please lastly F last letters
30:15so
30:43column six and for you Nikki also six and a six
30:47yes Callum ratios right yes right there in the middle isn't it and Nikki grafts and
30:53grafts excellent stuff just sixes here well negotiated both of you two quite
30:58difficult rounds what have you got there for us Tom little botanical one yeah
31:03frog bits oh who wouldn't want those I'm free it frog bits they're fresh water plants with
31:11creeping stems but it's just beautiful it's lovely before you described them I think we
31:17all had the picture that I'm hanging down thin green like the frogs legs yeah for all frog bits is
31:24wonderful wonderful right 83 plays 35 20 points left up for grabs Nikki what you're gonna do in the last
31:32numbers well I've been catastrophically bad at all of them so I'm gonna just say four large please
31:36four large too little I like your style come on let's do this you only six and five and we
31:43know the big
31:44ones 50 175 25 all we need is self belief and the target 221 221 last numbers
31:57so
32:09so
32:10so
32:11so
32:24We're looking for 2-2-1, Nicky.
32:282-1-6.
32:292-1-6, 5 away, Callum.
32:31Think I've got it not written down.
32:32Off you go.
32:33So, 50 times 6.
32:3550 times 6, 300.
32:37Minus 75.
32:382-2-5.
32:39And then 100 over 25.
32:41He's 4 and take it away.
32:42Well done.
32:432-2-1.
32:44Nice one.
32:47Wonderful stuff.
32:48All right.
32:48Is Callum going to reach his ton on a second appearance?
32:51That will be back-to-back, of course.
32:53Nicky, it's always fun to do this.
32:55So, let's get your finger on the buzzers.
32:57How many times at home have you tried this?
33:00But in the studio, let's reveal your countdown conundrum.
33:07Nicky.
33:07Marketing.
33:08Is it marketing?
33:10Yes.
33:13I'm going to leave a demon myself.
33:16Listen, do you know all it is?
33:17He was off to a steaming start, wasn't he?
33:19And he got that nine.
33:20But you finished on 45, flirting with a half-century.
33:23Nothing wrong with that at all.
33:25No.
33:25Well, I've had an amazing day, so I'm happy with that.
33:28Thank you very much.
33:28If you hadn't have made up that eight-letter word,
33:30you would have got half a century.
33:32Yeah.
33:34Thank you for the Welsh kicks.
33:35Absolutely adorable.
33:37You're very welcome.
33:38Safe home.
33:39You know, Reid Wilson's had them.
33:40He's got the lot.
33:41Don't you try and hide.
33:42I know you've got them over there.
33:45Goodness me.
33:46Disgraceful.
33:46Disgraceful.
33:47Well, Callum, Oscar's barking with happiness at the television at your success.
33:52And he'll have to wait another day at least to see you.
33:53We'll see you tomorrow, yeah?
33:55See you tomorrow.
33:55Excellent.
33:56Thank you, thieves.
33:56We'll see you tomorrow.
33:58Good show.
33:59Thanks, Rach.
33:59And if Welsh cakes can't unite the Countdown kingdom, then nothing can.
34:03Yeah, nothing can.
34:04I'll tell you what I'll complain about at the end of every episode of Countdown, right?
34:08But thankfully, back tomorrow, same time, same place, you can count on us.
34:13You can contact the programme by email at countdown at channel4.com.
34:18You can also find our webpage at channel4.com forward slash countdown.
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