Your Next Listen: Unspeakable

While Armando is still on his summer break, Phil Wang introduces his series, Unspeakable.

Ever struggled to find the right word for a feeling or sensation? Unspeakable sees comedian Phil Wang and lexicographer Susie Dent invite celebrity guests to invent new linguistic creations, to solve those all too relatable moments when we're lost for words.

In this episode we hear Jessie Cave’s word for letting your kids explore their canine side, Armando Iannucci's description for excessive false modesty and Chloe Petts’s coinage for when you need something but you don't want to be a bother.

If you enjoyed this episode then you can hear more by searching for Unspeakable on BBC Sounds.

Hosts: Phil Wang and Susie Dent
Guests: Jessie Cave, Armando Iannucci and Chloe Petts
Created by Joe Varley
Writers: Matt Crosby and Katie Storey
Recorded by Jerry Peal
Producer: Jon Harvey
Executive Producers: Joe Varley and Akash Lockmun

A Brown Bred production for BBC Radio 4

Armando Iannucci returns for a new series of Strong Message Here on BBC Sounds on 16 September, 2026.