How do we describe smells?
Summary
In this episode of 6 Minute English, hosts Neil and Georgie explore the limited English vocabulary for describing smells, featuring poet Michael Rosen. They discuss research by psychologist Asifa Magid, who explains that smell words are subjective and often dismissed in conversation, unlike objective terms for taste or color. The segment highlights specific scent-related terms like "petrichor" and "bibliolepsy," while teaching key adjectives such as "olfactory," "subjective," and "fragrant."
Topics discussed
Sponsorship notice
Whole Foods Market September stock up event
Midas tire guarantee advertisement
Promotion of other BBC Learning English programs
Introduction and the challenge of describing smells
Hosts share favorite smells and introduce petrichor
Quiz question on the smell of old books
Discussion on English vocabulary for smells
Research on smell language by Asifa Magid
Subjectivity of smell adjectives like stinky and fragrant
Comparison of smell language to taste and color
Why people rarely talk about smells
Parental reactions to children discussing smells
Lack of specific vocabulary for smell qualities
Reveal of the word 'musty' and quiz answer
Vocabulary recap and definitions
Sign-off and website resources
Midas tire guarantee advertisement
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