BBC Radio 4 FM

BBC Radio 4 is a radio channel that started transmitting on the 30th September 1967. It replaced BBC Home Service.

BBC Radio 4

Radio 4

Radio 4 (FM)

15 by 15

Documentaries

Factual: Arts, Culture & the Media

Hardeep Singh Kohli chooses a word and sees where it leads him

Hardeep Singh Kohli chooses a word and sees where it leads him. He expects to learn 15 things in 15 minutes he didn't know before

15 by 15: Series 1

15 by 15: Series 1: Episode 1: Mattress

Series 1

Episode 1

Episode 1: Mattress

Mattress

BBC Radio 4 - 15 by 15, Series 1, Mattress

Hardeep Singh Kohli takes the word 'mattress' and sees where it leads him.

Hardeep meets Gerry, who is buying a mattress at an open-air market stall, Lauren Child, adaptor and illustrator of The Princess and the Pea, and bedbug exterminator David Cain.

What's in a word? Where did it come from? Where does it lead? In a new series of five programmes Hardeep Singh Kohli chooses a word and sees where it leads him. 

In 15 minutes he expects to learn 15 things he didn't know before. His journey takes him to lexicographer Susie Dent, who knows about words and can tell him where the word first appeared in the English language. From there he sets off in different directions, meeting people who in different ways are connected to that programme's word. 

Each programme is devoted to one word, and over the five programmes Hardeep encounters 'mattress', 'stroke', 'heel', 'spin' and 'trifle'. 

In the first programme 'Mattress', Hardeep meets Gerry, who's buying a mattress at an open air stall in a market, Lauren Child, adaptor and illustrator of 'The Princess and the Pea', David Cain who exterminates bedbugs, and opera singer Julie Unwin who falls on one from a height.


Producer: Richard Bannerman
A Ladbroke Production for BBC Radio 4.

Intelligent speech, the most insightful journalism, the wittiest comedy, the most fascinating features and the most compelling drama and readings anywhere in UK radio.

Accessibility links

Programme Index

15 by 15

Series 1

Episode 1: Mattress

Genres

Formats

Brand

Series

BBC Radio 4 FM

About BBC Radio 4