Answer Me This!

AMT422’s questioneers want to know how to count how far away lightning is striking, what is the strictness in Strictly Come Dancing, who was the first monarch to get their face on a coin, and why Cosette in Les Miserables has a tiny toy sword.

For more information about this episode, go to answermethispodcast.com/episode422.

Support AMT at patreon.com/answermethis, and in return you get an ad-free version of the show, monthly bonus bits, our video livestream Petty Problems – and the highest tier gets access to our ENTIRE back catalogue, including all our paywalled episodes, our special albums, the full archive of Bonus Bits of Crapp on the AMT App and all the Retro AMT episodes.

Got questions for an episode, trivial troubles for Petty Problems, or feedback about an AMT old or new? Send them in writing or as voice notes to [email protected], or you can call 0208 123 5877 to leave us a message. AMT423 will be out 29 October 2026 and the next Answer Us Back will land in your podfeed on 22 October. 

AMT is sponsored by: 

• Squarespace, the all in one platform for creating and running your online realm. Go to squarespace.com/answer, play around with the two-week free trial, and when you're ready to launch, get a 10% discount on your first purchase of a website or domain with the code ANSWER. 

• Cozy Earth, luxurious bedding, sleepwear, loungewear, and towels for bath and beach. Shop at cozyearth.com and get 20% off using our code ANSWER. 

Eight Sleep. Use our code ANSWER at eightsleep.com/answer for up to £200 off the Pod 6.
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Welcome to this month's Answer Us Back, full of your feedback and questions provoked by previous episodes of Answer Me This. Today we have:

Look, we recorded AMT421 the day before Tim Curry died, and it was pure chance that we appeared to pay tribute to him by slagging off two of his most beloved films. He’s very good in them! He’s even very good in Olly’s pick for the worst film ever made!

We all want Olly to write a memoir, right? Full of anecdotes about the many times when he almost met celebrities?

Sally has a tip for silencing those musical washing machines before they launch into the full symphony.

Should Olly satisfy his anthropological curiosity about what it’s like to go to a Roy Chubby Brown gig, or does that just make him someone who willingly attends a Roy Chubby Brown gig?

Helena in Aotearoa New Zealand informs us that some of the washing machines of Aotearoa New Zealand play a selection of national anthems. And/or Crazy Frog.

The bidet chat continues to flow: Molly in London asks if it’s ok to wash her bum with the water from her dehumidifier. Erm, best not. But what can you do with that water?

Annie asks the question on behalf of all of you who have been desperate to know since last Answer Us Back: what is Olly’s system for displaying souvenir magnets on his fridge?

After AMT421’s question about the dangers of orchestra conductors’ podiums, Laura from Ottawa, who is a professional violinist, tells us tales of other perils of the orchestra.

In episode we-forget-which-number-but-fairly-recent, Olly spoke of convincing himself not to be annoyed by his father’s snoring. Lola in Seattle can even turn horrible misophonia into delectable ASMR. (And if you are looking for help in navigating misophonia in yourself or people close to you, check out friend-of-the-pod Jane Gregory’s work and book at soundslikemisophonia.com.)

If AMTs 1-421 left you with lingering questions and opinions, share them with us for future episodes of Answer Us Back. And as always, send in your questions, in voicenote or written form, to [email protected]. All new AMT422 will be in your podfeed on 24 September 2026.

Help keep AMT going by signing up at patreon.com/answermethis, where you can get an ad-free version of the show, monthly bonus bits, our video livestream Petty Problems, AND access to our ENTIRE back catalogue, including all our paywalled episodes, our special albums, and all the Retro AMT episodes. 

Answer Me This is sponsored by: 

• Cozy Earth, luxurious bedding, sleepwear, loungewear, and towels for bath and beach. Shop at cozyearth.com and get 30% off using our code ANSWER. Also, their Labor Day sale runs 25 August till September 8th!

• Quooker, the the tap that does it all, from instant 100-degree boiling water to chilled, filtered, and sparkling water. Shop at quooker.co.uk and until the end of August, you can use our code ANSWER to get free installation and your free Quooker glassware set.

• Taskrabbit, the online and mobile marketplace, available in the UK, that connects you with skilled, reliable local freelancers to help with everything from furniture assembly and home repairs to moving, gardening, and more. Get ahead of your to-do list with £10 off your first task at taskrabbit.co.uk or on the Taskrabbit app using our promo code ANSWER.  
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In AMT421, questioneers want to know about orchestra conductors falling off their plinths, why their washing machine plays a little tune, why humans got into riding horses, and what our favourite camp classic movies are (we recorded this the day before news broke of Tim Curry's death, so our inadvertent tribute to him is being somewhat critical of Rocky Horror Picture Show and Clue. RIP, Tim!) 

For more information about this episode, go to answermethispodcast.com/episode421.

Support AMT at patreon.com/answermethis, and in return you get an ad-free version of the show, monthly bonus bits, our video livestream Petty Problems – and the highest tier gets access to our ENTIRE back catalogue, including all our paywalled episodes, our special albums, the full archive of Bonus Bits of Crapp on the AMT App and all the Retro AMT episodes.

Got questions for an episode, trivial troubles for Petty Problems, or feedback about an AMT old or new? Send them in writing or as voice notes to [email protected], or you can call 0208 123 5877 to leave us a message. AMT422 will be out 24 September 2026 and the next Answer Us Back will land in your podfeed on 10 September. 

AMT is sponsored by: 

• Cozy Earth, luxurious bedding, sleepwear, loungewear, and towels for bath and beach. Shop at cozyearth.com and get 20% off using our code ANSWER. • Squarespace, the all in one platform for creating and running your online realm. Go to squarespace.com/answer, play around with the two-week free trial, and when you're ready to launch, get a 10% discount on your first purchase of a website or domain with the code ANSWER. • Quooker, the the tap that does it all, from instant 100-degree boiling water to chilled, filtered, and sparkling water. Shop at quooker.co.uk and until the end of August, you can use our code ANSWER to get free installation and your free Quooker glassware set. • Taskrabbit, the online and mobile marketplace, available in the UK, that connects you with skilled, reliable local freelancers to help with everything from furniture assembly and home repairs to moving, gardening, and more. Get ahead of your to-do list with £10 off your first task at taskrabbit.co.uk or on the Taskrabbit app using our promo code ANSWER.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Welcome to this month's Answer Us Back, packed full of your responses to previous episodes of Answer Me This - or as it will soon be rebranded, Could Be True/Might Be Interesting. Today's track listing: 

In response to AMT420's question about illegal use of wet wipes, Eileen in Bridgewater, New Jersey sends an impassioned plea for us to consider the bidet! So, we did. We have previously considered the bidet, btw, in AMT361. 

A Swedish Person successfully survived their trip to London for which they asked for advice in AMT415 - but it ended up raising more questions, about bus ads for fruit, and being constantly asked about allergies. 

BJ, who in AMT414 asked about how to respond to people asking what BJ stands for, has feedback about going on vacations with your family, having listened to AMT420's contemplation of that topic WHILE ON VACATION WITH HER FAMILY. Therefore her suggestions of survival tactics are freshly tested. 

Since we're discussing vacations, Sarah from Plumpton in East Sussex wants to know whether you can count yourself as having been to a country if you've just stopped off at the airport there. And the question to which we allude, about what constitutes sex, is in AMT267. 

Rich in Oxford is an airline captain, so swoops in with The Actual Facts regarding AMT420's question about whether commercial planes have keys and would be easy to steal. 

In AMT419, Dan in Pennsylvania asked about which British produce he could grow on his farm in Pennsylvania; this continued in the last edition of Answer Us Back; now, Alyssa in Indianapolis supplies a great suggestion, plus a recommendation for a recent episode of Gastropod about when blackcurrants were illegal in the USA. 

And Margaret requests an update on the storied family houseplant which Olly mentioned all the way back in AMT258. 

If AMTs 1-420 left you with lingering questions and opinions, share them with us for future episodes of Answer Us Back. And as always, send in your questions, in voicenote or written form, to [email protected]. All new AMT421 will be in your podfeed on 27 August 2026. 

Help keep AMT going by signing up at patreon.com/answermethis, where you can get an ad-free version of the show, monthly bonus bits, our video livestream Petty Problems, AND access to our ENTIRE back catalogue, including all our paywalled episodes, our special albums, and all the Retro AMT episodes. 

Answer Me This is sponsored by: 

• Cozy Earth, luxurious bedding, sleepwear, loungewear, and towels for bath and beach. Shop at cozyearth.com and get 30% off using our code ANSWER. Also, their Labor Day sale runs 25 August till September 8th!

• Quooker, the the tap that does it all, from instant 100-degree boiling water to chilled, filtered, and sparkling water. Shop at quooker.co.uk and until the end of August, you can use our code ANSWER to get free installation and your free Quooker glassware set.

• Taskrabbit, the online and mobile marketplace, available in the UK, that connects you with skilled, reliable local freelancers to help with everything from furniture assembly and home repairs to moving, gardening, and more. Get ahead of your to-do list with £10 off your first task at taskrabbit.co.uk or on the Taskrabbit app using our promo code ANSWER.  
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In AMT420, questioneers want to know whether airplanes have keys, what the G stands for in g-string, and why hotel rooms have one solitary chair staring at the bed. Plus: Olly wonders if all the switches in the plane cockpit really do something; Helen maintains that going on vacation with your family is not vacation; and Martin the Sound Man guides us into the manosphere.

For more information about this episode, go to answermethispodcast.com/episode420.

Support AMT at patreon.com/answermethis, and in return you get an ad-free version of the show, monthly bonus bits, our video livestream Petty Problems – and the highest tier gets access to our ENTIRE back catalogue, including all our paywalled episodes, our special albums, the full archive of Bonus Bits of Crapp on the AMT App and all the Retro AMT episodes.

Got questions for an episode, trivial troubles for Petty Problems, or feedback about an AMT old or new? Send them in writing or as voice notes to [email protected], or you can call 0208 123 5877 to leave us a message. AMT421 will be out 27 August 2026 and the next Answer Us Back will land in your podfeed on 20 August.

AMT is sponsored by:

• Squarespace, the all in one platform for creating and running your online realm. Go to squarespace.com/answer, play around with the two-week free trial, and when you're ready to launch, get a 10% discount on your first purchase of a website or domain with the code ANSWER

• Cozy Earth, luxurious bedding, sleepwear, loungewear, and towels for bath and beach. Shop at cozyearth.com and get 20% off using our code ANSWER.

• Quooker, the the tap that does it all, from instant 100-degree boiling water to chilled, filtered, and sparkling water. Shop at quooker.co.uk and until the end of August, you can use our code ANSWER to get free installation and your free Quooker glassware set.

• Taskrabbit, the online and mobile marketplace, available in the UK, that connects you with skilled, reliable local freelancers to help with everything from furniture assembly and home repairs to moving, gardening, and more. Get ahead of your to-do list with £10 off your first task at taskrabbit.co.uk or on the Taskrabbit app using our promo code ANSWER.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Every edition of Answer Us Back features your responses to/observations upon previous episodes of AMT, some of them many many years old - but today's episode is packed to the rafters with what you had to say about our most recent episode, AMT419!

Detta has baked a version of the Tom Cruise coconut-white chocolate bundt cake - "A lot of faff, but worth it." 

Anonymous from the Allusioverse has actually eaten a cake gifted by Tom Cruise! Not the coconut bundt though - a lemon one, strong enough to taste "remarkably like having your taste buds bashed out". Mmm, great.

A different Anonymous writes about the practice of film stars buying end-of-shoot gifts for all the crewmembers.

Alastair in Kilmarnock gives some fun Scottish examples of stadiums being corporately renamed...

...and Mark tells us some of the creative approaches that stadiums have taken to cover up their usual corporate logos during the World Cup.

Meagan in Oakland CA wonders when, if ever, it would be OK to wear her Houston Astros shirt from 25ish years ago which has the Enron logo on it?

On the topic of which fun British vegetables Dan in Pennsylvania could grow on his farm, Emily in Canada is screaming, "King Edward potatoes!!!"

Dan himself writes back, noting the ladybird fu**fest that was mentioned in AMT419.

As well as buying ladybirds to sort out her garden's aphids, Isabel treats herself to a few praying mantis egg sacs, to enjoy a miniature horror show when they hatch.

And Erica responds to the previous Answer Us Back, where we mused upon the potential disappointment of seeing one of us audio podcasters in the flesh.

If AMTs 1-419 left you with lingering questions and opinions, share them with us for future episodes of Answer Us Back. And as always, send in your questions, in voicenote or written form, to [email protected]. All new AMT420 will be in your podfeed on 30 July 2026. 

Help keep AMT going by signing up at patreon.com/answermethis, where you can get an ad-free version of the show, monthly bonus bits, our video livestream Petty Problems, AND access to our ENTIRE back catalogue, including all our paywalled episodes, our special albums, and all the Retro AMT episodes.

AMT is sponsored by:

• Cozy Earth, luxurious bedding, sleepwear, loungewear, and towels for bath and beach. Shop at cozyearth.com and get 20% off using our code ANSWER.

• Quooker, the the tap that does it all, from instant 100-degree boiling water to chilled, filtered, and sparkling water. Shop at quooker.co.uk and until the end of August, you can use our code ANSWER to get free installation and your free Quooker glassware set.

• Taskrabbit, the online and mobile marketplace, available in the UK, that connects you with skilled, reliable local freelancers to help with everything from furniture assembly and home repairs to moving, gardening, and more. Get ahead of your to-do list with £10 off your first task at taskrabbit.co.uk or on the Taskrabbit app using our promo code ANSWER. 
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

AMT419’s questioneers need to know how living statues get to work, whether ladybirds do have homes to fly away to, what happens to stadiums with brand names when the brand goes bankrupt, and what the whole deal is with Tom Cruise sending out hundreds of coconut cakes at Christmas.

For more information about this episode, go to answermethispodcast.com/episode419.

Support AMT at patreon.com/answermethis, and in return you get an ad-free version of the show, you can join us for our video livestream Petty Problems – next happening 28 June, 10pm UK time – and the highest tier gets access to our ENTIRE back catalogue, including all our paywalled episodes, our special albums, the Bonus Bits of Crapp on the AMT App (RIP) and all the Retro AMT episodes.

Got questions for an episode, trivial troubles for Petty Problems, or feedback about an AMT old or new? Send them in writing or as voice notes to [email protected], or you can call 0208 123 5877 to leave us a message. AMT420 will be out 30 July 2026 and the next Answer Us Back will land on on 16 July.

AMT is sponsored by:

• Quooker, the the tap that does it all, from instant 100-degree boiling water to chilled, filtered, and sparkling water. Shop at quooker.co.uk and until the end of August, you can use our code ANSWER to get free installation and your free Quooker glassware set

• Taskrabbit, the online and mobile marketplace, available in the UK, that connects you with skilled, reliable local freelancers to help with everything from furniture assembly and home repairs to moving, gardening, and more. Get ahead of your to-do list with £10 off your first task at taskrabbit.co.uk or on the Taskrabbit app using our promo code ANSWER

• Squarespace, the all in one platform for creating and running your online realm. Go to squarespace.com/answer, play around with the two-week free trial, and when you're ready to launch, get a 10% discount on your first purchase of a website or domain with the code ANSWER.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Hello! Welcome to this month's edition of Answer Us Back, featuring your responses to and observations upon past episodes of AMT. Today:


Responding to AMT417’s collection of lost teeth, Dan from Sydney makes us wonder why there is a tooth fairy but no toenail fairy. Which body part would you choose to be the fairy of?


Max in New Jersey responds to AMT418’s question about Jersey Shore filming in bars, having worked at a bar while Jersey Shore filmed in it. Also, have a care in this pivot-to-video era for we audiomakers, who do not wanna be on camera.


Also responding to the Jersey Shore filming in bars with music question, Matt the dialogue editor chips in with his insider knowledge about the reality of music use and shooting dancing scenes. And Olly completely forgot that he too has insider knowledge, having himself been a dancing extra in a film!


Dale in Truckee, California heard the AMT416 question about what to do with the suit from one’s wedding after the marriage has ended, and has an engagement ring to deal with post-breakup.


And Rob in Durham has a question arising from maybe every AMT ever: did either of us ever try a career in stand-up comedy?

If AMTs 1-418 left you with lingering questions and opinions, share them with us for future episodes of Answer Us Back. And as always, send in your questions, in voicenote or written form, to [email protected]. All new AMT419 will be in your podfeed on 25 June 2026. 

Help keep AMT going by signing up at patreon.com/answermethis, where you can get an ad-free version of the show, you can join us for our video livestream Petty Problems – the next is 28 June, 10pm UK time – and the highest tier gets access to our ENTIRE back catalogue, including all our paywalled episodes, our special albums, the Bonus Bits of Crapp on the AMT App (RIP) and all the Retro AMT episodes.

Answer Us Back is sponsored by:

• Quooker, the the tap that does it all, from instant 100-degree boiling water to chilled, filtered, and sparkling water. Shop at quooker.co.uk and until the end of August, you can use our code ANSWER to get free installation and your free Quooker glassware set.

• The London Review of Books, the twice-monthly literary mag full of essays, reviews and more by excellent writers. Get a 6 month print and digital subscription for just £12 at LRB.me/answer.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What would you do with a copy of Ayn Rand's Atlas Shrugged? One questioneer needs any answer other than 'read it'.

AMT418's questioneers also wonder how they film club scenes in Jersey Shore, what the Hitler Moustache was called pre-Hitler, what’s in prop cigarettes, what to do about your neighbour’s golf noise, and where all the decanters and pub toilet condom machines went.

For more information about this episode, go to answermethispodcast.com/episode418

Got questions for us to answer, or feedback about an episode old or new? Send them in writing or as voice notes to [email protected], or you can call 0208 123 5877 to leave us a message.

AMT419 will be out 25 June 2026 and the next Answer Us Back will land on on 11 June.

Become a patron at patreon.com/answermethis to get an ad-free version of each episode and a batch of Bonus Bits each month, plus our video livestreams Petty Problems.

If you sign up at one of the higher Patreon tiers, you get access to an RSS feed with ALL the AMT stuff EVER, including our entire back catalogue, our six themed albums, the retro AMTs, and every Bit of Crapp from the AMT App. AND you’re keeping this show going!

This episode is sponsored by: 

• Saily, flexible eSIM data roaming plans for when you’re abroad. Download SAILY in your app store and use our code amt15 at checkout to get an exclusive 15% off your first purchase. For further details go to saily.com/amt15

• The London Review of Books, the twice-monthly literary mag full of essays, reviews and more by excellent writers. Get a 6 month print and digital subscription for just £12 at LRB.me/answer

• Squarespace, the all in one platform for creating and running your online empire. Go to squarespace.com/answer, have a play around during the two-week free trial, and when you're ready to launch, get a 10% discount on your first purchase of a website or domain with the code ANSWER

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Hello! Welcome to this month's edition of Answer Us Back, featuring your responses to and observations upon previous episodes of AMT. Today:


Swiss Chris continues the fondue discourse, explaining its role as a festive foodstuff, and the cheese-crust nun at the bottom of the pot. Yes, NUN. As in, nun. Cheese nun!


Julia in Dublin recounts a FONDUE FIRE! And Olly tells what happened the time he sought out the best ploughman’s lunch in England.


Rafael tells us what he did with the advice we doled out in AMT408 about the overly pushy patron of his art gallery. 


Jane responds to AMT417’s discussion of shotgun weddings with some Classic Hollywood Musicals. Gosh, a wedding held by force is SUCH FUN, isn’t it, Old Hollywood.


Johnny hears AMT410’s sweet-taste-of-sexual-awakenings cherry wine in songs and raises you sweet-taste-of-sexual-awakenings strawberry wine. Is there a beverage that reminds you of the start of your sexual career?


Ari has a historical suggestion for why booze-free versions of alcoholic drinks tend to have blue branding, per AMT417.

If you’ve been haunted by thoughts about AMTs 1-417, exorcise them by sharing them with us for future episodes of Answer Us Back. And as always, send in your questions, in voicenote or written form, to [email protected]. All new AMT418 will be in your podfeed 28 May 2026. 

Help keep AMT going by signing up at patreon.com/answermethis, where highest tier gets access to our ENTIRE back catalogue, including the paywalled episodes, the special albums, the Bonus Bits of Crapp on the AMT App (RIP) and all the Retro AMT episodes.

AMT is sponsored by:

• Saily, flexible eSIM data roaming plans for when you’re abroad. Download SAILY in your app store and use our code amt15 at checkout to get an exclusive 15% off your first purchase. For further details go to saily.com/amt15.

• The London Review of Books, the twice-monthly literary mag full of essays, reviews and more by excellent writers. Get a 6 month print and digital subscription for just £12 at LRB.me/answer
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This month, questioneers want to know why shotgun weddings and three line whips are called that, what the deal is with those little fish-shaped bottles of soy sauce, and what to do with a tupperware full of baby teeth.

For more information about this episode, go to answermethispodcast.com/episode417.

Got questions for us to answer, or feedback about an episode old or new? Send them in writing or as voice notes to [email protected], or you can call 0208 123 5877 to leave us a message. AMT418 will be out 28 May 2026 and Answer Us Back on 14 May.

Become a patron at patreon.com/answermethis to get an ad-free version of AMT417 and a batch of Bonus Bits each month, plus our video livestreams Petty Problems. If you sign up at one of the higher Patreon tiers, you get access to an RSS feed with ALL the AMT stuff EVER, including our entire back catalogue, our six themed albums, the retro AMTs, and every Bit of Crapp from the AMT App. AND you’re keeping this show going!

This episode is sponsored by: 

Saily, flexible eSIM data roaming plans for when you’re abroad. Download SAILY in your app store and use our code amt15 at checkout to get an exclusive 15% off your first purchase. For further details go to saily.com/amt15.

The London Review of Books, the twice-monthly literary mag full of essays, reviews and more by excellent writers. Get a 6 month print and digital subscription for just £12 at LRB.me/answer.

Squarespace, the all in one platform for creating and running your online empire. Go to squarespace.com/answer, have a play around during the two-week free trial, and when you're ready to launch, get a 10% discount on your first purchase of a website or domain with the code ANSWER.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Hello! Welcome to this month's edition of Answer Us Back, full of your feedback on AMTs old and new. Today:


Following AMT416’s discussion of meat fondue, Amanda gives us meat fondue tips amassed from four generations of her family’s festive flesh fondue. 


Also apropos of AMT416, Rebekah - and several other people! - notes the existence of a 9/11 musical: Come From Away. 


AMT306 inspired Matt from Birmingham to try the chicken kyiv sandwich, which has comforted him during many major life events since. 


Chris from New Zealand wants an update on AMT376’s message from the then 38-year-old Olly to his future fortysomething self ie present day Olly.


We heard from so many of you about  World Book Day! Katy has a clever way to keep your kid’s costume obligations extremely light..


Joe in Minnesota sees your World Book Day and raises you the Children Pretending To Be Historical Waxworks Day of his own childhood.


Neil from Staffordshire is haunted by an AMT jingle from 15+ years ago.

If you’ve been haunted by thoughts about AMTs 1-416, exorcise them by sharing them with us for future episodes of Answer Us Back. And as always, send in your questions, in voicenote or written form to [email protected]. All new AMT417 will be in your podfeed 30 April 2026. 

Help keep AMT going by signing up at patreon.com/answermethis, where highest tier gets access to our ENTIRE back catalogue, including the paywalled episodes, the special albums, the Bonus Bits of Crapp on the AMT App (RIP) and all the Retro AMT episodes.

AMT is sponsored by:

• Saily, flexible eSIM data roaming plans for when you’re abroad. Download SAILY in your app store and use our code amt15 at checkout to get an exclusive 15% off your first purchase. For further details go to saily.com/amt15.

• The London Review of Books, the twice-monthly literary mag full of essays, reviews and more by excellent writers. Get a 6 month print and digital subscription for just £12 at LRB.me/answer

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

AMT416’s questioneers want to know what to do with their wedding suit post-divorce, why is World Book Day, how Nelson’s Column is cleaned, whether Brits during WW2 bought whale meat from fishmongers or butchers, who is buying £530 LEGO Titanic sets at the airport, and whether the fondue party they had for their twelfth birthday was bougie. 

For more information about this episode, head to answermethispodcast.com/episode416.

Got questions for us to answer, or feedback about an episode old or new? Send them in writing or as voice notes to [email protected], or you can call 0208 123 5877 to leave us a message. 

AMT417 will be in your podfeed 30 April 2026, and you’ll get an episode of Answer Us Back mid-month.

Also, now is a GREAT time to become a patron at patreon.com/answermethis if you haven’t already, because the next edition of our video livestream series Petty Problems is happening Sunday 29th March! Join us for that, and in return for your patronage, you also get the whole Petty Problems back catalogue, a batch of Bonus Bits each month, and an ad-free version of AMT416. If you sign up at one of the higher Patreon tiers, you get access to an RSS feed with ALL the AMT stuff EVER, including our entire back catalogue, our six themed albums, the retro AMTs, and every Bit of Crapp from the AMT App. 

This episode is sponsored by: 

Saily, flexible eSIM data roaming plans for when you’re abroad. Download SAILY in your app store and use our code amt15 at checkout to get an exclusive 15% off your first purchase. For further details go to saily.com/amt15.

The London Review of Books, the twice-monthly literary mag full of essays, reviews and more by excellent writers. Get a 6 month print and digital subscription for just £12 at LRB.me/answer.

Squarespace, the all in one platform for creating and running your online empire. Go to squarespace.com/answer, have a play around during the two-week free trial, and when you're ready to launch, get a 10% discount on your first purchase of a website or domain with the code ANSWER.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Hello! Welcome to this month's edition of Answer Us Back, full of your feedback on AMTs old and new. Today:


Helen's going to watch ice hockey this weekend, i.e. she'll get to see zambonis in action, per AMT415.


Olly got sleb-spotted when out for breakfast (hi Simon!).


Pete in Bloomington, Indiana, wants to know whether Kyle from Bloomington, Indiana, is still stealing olives from the olive bars of Bloomington, Indiana, like he was back in AMT305 in 2014. Well, Kyle, are you? ARE YOU???


Provoked by AMT402's discussion of proposals via book dedications, Emma in Canada has a real life example from her own parents of a proposal via printed text, in their case the local tabloid newspaper.


David from Glasgow heard us talking about the radio pip pip pips in AMT406 and explains how they use them in his work on cargo ships.


Amy has a tip for Olly, to end his despair from AMT402 about all the little plastic bottles containing his cholesterol-reducing Benecol.


We get a bit verklempt as Ricardito reminisces about what AMT meant to his late partner Stephen - including an excellent prank in AMT303.

And along the way we learn about Olly's greatest technological fear and pragmatic marriage proposal, and Helen's parents' pugnacious proposal. 

If you’ve been amassing thoughts about AMTs 1-415, send them to us for future episodes of Answer Us Back. And as always, send in your questions, in voicenote or written form to [email protected]. All new AMT416 will be in your podfeed 26 March. 

29 March is the next edition of our video livestream Petty Problems, so send us your unserious concerns and queries for that. To watch it and all the previous ones, sign up to patreonise the show at patreon.com/answermethis, where highest tier gets access to our ENTIRE back catalogue, including the paywalled episodes, the special albums, the Bonus Bits of Crapp on the AMT App, and all the Retro AMT episodes with our commentary reflecting upon them years later. AND by supporting the show on Patreon, you’re helping to fund new AMT.

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This month, questioneers want to know what Zambonis are up to on ice hockey rinks, what Wee Willie Winkie is up to running through the town, why not many sandwiches go by their initials, how to reassure a spouse about their upcoming voluntary kidney donation, and whether Jimi Hendrix unleashed green parakeets across southeast England.

For more information about this episode, head to answermethispodcast.com/episode415.

Got questions for us to answer, or feedback about an episode old or new? Send them in writing or as a voice note to [email protected], or you can call 0208 123 5877 like the old days. 

AMT416 will be in your podfeed 26 March 2026, with an episode of Answer Us Back mid-month; paying patrons at patreon.com/answermethis also get a batch of Bonus Bits, plus the Petty Problems back catalogue, AND an ad-free version of AMT415.

If you sign up at one of the higher Patreon tiers, you get access to an RSS feed with ALL the AMT stuff EVER, including our entire back catalogue, our six themed albums, the retro AMTs, and every Bit of Crapp from the AMT App. 

This episode is sponsored by Squarespace, the all in one platform for creating and running your online empire. Go to squarespace.com/answer, have a play around during the two-week free trial, and when you're ready to launch, get a 10% discount on your first purchase of a website or domain with the code ANSWER.

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Hello! Welcome to this month's edition of Answer Us Back, full of your feedback on AMTs old and new. Today:


In response to AMT413's question about unusual food combos, Dan writes in about his sauerkraut spaghetti, which still doesn't seem that deviant. 


The Toby Carvery's appearance in AMT403 was very illuminating for listeners outside of the Toby Carvery-producing regions, including Eric in Oregon, who in return teaches us about the Toby Carvery gold card.


In AMT413 we identified what species Wombles are. Amy and her sister are preparing to go on a Wombles-themed holiday in six different locations. 


AMT361 prompted a fond memory in Sarah from Leeds of skipping to school with her dad, awww.


AMT206, featuring quite reluctant pod-guest Jackie Mason, is making Katie from Halifax, Nova Scotia feel better about her own awkward workplace atmosphere. Erm, you’re welcome, Katie?

If you’ve been storing thoughts about AMTs 1-414, send them to us for future episodes of Answer Us Back. And as always, send in your questions, in voicenote or written form to [email protected]. All new AMT415 will be in your podfeed 26 February. 

And keep AMT going by signing up at patreon.com/answermethis, where our highest tier grants access to our ENTIRE back catalogue, including the paywalled episodes, the special albums, the Bonus Bits of Crapp on the AMT App (RIP) and all the Retro AMT episodes.

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This month, questioneers want to know about songs for the year 2000, what the deal is with wax seals, why we say “The butler did it!” when the butler never did it, and how to shirk unwanted company at rowdy retiree lunch club.

For more information about this episode, head to answermethispodcast.com/episode414

Got questions for us to answer, or feedback about an episode? Send them in writing or as a voice note to [email protected], or you can call 0208 123 5877 like the old days. AMT415 will be in your podfeed 26 Febuary 2026, with an episode of Answer Us Back mid-Feb; paying patrons at patreon.com/answermethis also get a batch of Bonus Bits, plus the Petty Problems back catalogue, AND an ad-free version of AMT414. (Sign up at one of the higher tiers to get access to an RSS feed with ALL the AMT stuff EVER, including our entire back catalogue, our six themed albums, the retro AMTs, and every Bit of Crapp from the AMT App!)

This episode is sponsored by Squarespace, the all in one platform for creating and running your online empire. Go to squarespace.com/answer, have a play around during the two-week free trial, and when you're ready to launch, get a 10% discount on your first purchase of a website or domain with the code ANSWER.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

How do you tell your parents you’ve been married for several years? Is bell-ringing a sport? What should you wear on a TV quiz show? How rich/soggy is Mr Darcy? And what species is a Womble? AMT413 questioneers want to know all these things and more.

For more information about this episode, visit answermethispodcast.com/episode413, and let us know your weird snack preferences too. 

Got questions for us to answer, or feedback about an episode? Send them in writing or as a voice note to [email protected], or you can call 0208 123 5877 like the old days.

AMT414 will be in your podfeed 29 January 2026, and paying patrons also get a fresh edition of our video livestream question-answering session Petty Problems on 16 January.

So become a patron at patreon.com/answermethis and you not only get to watch all the Petty Problemses, you also receive an ad-free version of the episode, plus bonus material each month, and if you sign up at one of the higher tiers, you get access to an RSS feed with ALL the AMT stuff EVER, including our entire back catalogue, our six themed albums, the retro AMTs, and every Bit of Crapp from the AMT App. Cor! AND you’re helping with the continuing existence of AMT through 2026.

Also, if you want to check out our other podcasts that we mention at the end of this episode: Olly's daily history show Today in History with the Retrospectors is here, and you'll find Helen's Pride and Prejudice re-caps in the archive of Veronica Mars Investigations.

This episode is sponsored by Squarespace, the all in one platform for creating and running your online empire. Go to squarespace.com/answer, have a play around during the two-week free trial, and when you're ready to launch, get a 10% discount on your first purchase of a website or domain with the code ANSWER.

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Hello! Here is this month's edition of Answer Us Back, full of your feedback on AMTs old and new - mostly pretty new. On today's menu:


Olly Mann himself has a change of heart about Elf On The Shelf since AMT392.


Laura found a variety pack of stock, as yearned for by Olly in AMT407 - although is two flavours enough to count as 'variety'?


Several people wrote in to chip in on AMT412's discussion of people with your same name using your email address; here we hear from Margaret and Daniel.


After hearing AMT411's question from Charlie from Canberra - whose mother had lately found out she was the biological child of a prolific sperm donor and thus has 600+ siblings - we heard from many of you reflecting upon your similar experiences of finding you were the child of a sperm donor, or your parent learning that they were. David, Breanne and Jo share some remarkable responses. 

If you’ve been storing thoughts about AMTs 1-412, send them to us for future episodes of Answer Us Back. 

And as always, send in your questions, in voicenote or written form to [email protected], for all new AMT413 which will be in your podfeed 24 December 2025. 

And keep AMT going by signing up at patreon.com/answermethis, where highest tier gets access to our ENTIRE back catalogue, including the paywalled episodes, the special albums, the Bonus Bits of Crapp on the AMT App (RIP) and all the Retro AMT episodes.

Thanks to Naked Wines for sponsoring AMT, and for providing bottles straight from world-class winemakers, cutting out the middleman, delivered to your door. Head to nakedwines.co.uk/answer to get a £30 voucher on your first 6 pack, including free delivery. 

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

AMT412’s questioneers want to know why Innocent smoothies wear little woolly hats, how to increase someone’s spice tolerance, whether someone making you a mixtape is definitely a sign of romantic interest, and what to do about similarly-named strangers using your email address.

For more information about this episode, visit answermethispodcast.com/episode412

Got questions for us to answer, or feedback about an episode? Send them in writing or as a voice note to [email protected], or you can call 0208 123 5877 like the old days. AMT413 will be in your podfeed 24 December 2025, and halfway through the month you’ll get an episode of our new feature Answer Us Back in your podfeed, full of your own contributions to AMT questions recent and ancient.

Become a patron at patreon.com/answermethis to help with the continuing existence of AMT. All tiers get an ad-free version of the episode, plus bonus material each month, and our live video question-answering session Petty Problems which is next happening 18 January 2026; but spend a bit more and you get access to an RSS feed with ALL the AMT stuff EVER, including our entire back catalogue, our six themed albums, the retro AMTs, and every Bit of Crapp from the AMT App. 

This episode is sponsored by Squarespace, the all in one platform for creating and running your online empire. Go to squarespace.com/answer, have a play around during the two-week free trial, and when you're ready to launch, get a 10% discount on your first purchase of a website or domain with the code ANSWER.

Thanks to Naked Wines for sponsoring AMT, and for providing bottles straight from world-class winemakers, cutting out the middleman, delivered to your door. Head to nakedwines.co.uk/answer to get a £30 voucher on your first 6 pack, including free delivery. 

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Wake up, babe - a new AMT feature just dropped! Midway through the interminable month between new episodes, we’ll be doing an Answer Us Back episode that’s all bits of feedback you send in about episodes old and new. Today we hear from:


Scott, on the lyrics of ‘Sweet Caroline’, first discussed in AMT365 in 2018;


Steve in San Diego, with some cool tiara trivia following our discussion of that headgear in AMT408;


Elodia and Jess, both former medical students, illuminating us on what really goes on when they dissect human bodies during their training, which came up in AMT404. And Elodia previously wrote to us all the way back in 2011!

If you’ve been storing thoughts about AMTs 1-411, send them to us for future episodes of Answer Us Back. 

And as always, send in your questions, in voicenote or written form to [email protected], for all new AMT412 which will be in your podfeed 27 November 2025.

Also, join us for our fun Petty Problems live video on 16 November 2025 by signing up at patreon.com/answermethis; by doing so, you’re also helping keep the whole podcast going, so congrats and thanks for that.

Thanks to Naked Wines for sponsoring AMT, and for providing bottles straight from world-class winemakers, cutting out the middleman, delivered to your door. Head to nakedwines.co.uk/answer to get a £30 voucher on your first 6 pack, including free delivery. 

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

AMT411’s questioneers want to know whether snakes really are charmed, if people of Yore really slept sitting up, and what you should do when your mum finds out she’s the child of one of the most prolific sperm donors in history and wants to meet her hundreds of half-siblings.

For more information about this episode, visit answermethispodcast.com/episode411.

Got questions for us to answer? Send them in writing or as a voice note to [email protected], or you can call 0208 123 5877 like the old days. Next episode will be in your podfeed 27 November 2025, so get your festive questions in, or hang onto them for a full year. 

Become a patron at patreon.com/answermethis to help with the continuing existence of AMT, and to get an ad-free version of the episode, plus bonus material each month, and our live video question-answering session Petty Problems which is next happening 16 November 2025.

This episode is sponsored by Squarespace, the all in one platform for creating and running your online empire. Go to squarespace.com/answer, have a play around during the two-week free trial, and when you're ready to launch, get a 10% discount on your first purchase of a website or domain with the code ANSWER.

Thanks to Naked Wines for sponsoring AMT, and for providing bottles straight from world-class winemakers, cutting out the middleman, delivered to your door. Head to nakedwines.co.uk/answer to get a £30 voucher on your first 6 pack, including free delivery. 
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In a piggyback ride, who is the piggy? WHO IS THE PIGGY??? A questioneer simply must know! We also learn about cleaning swimming pools pre-chlorine, fruit wine in song lyrics, TV character crossovers, and telling fibs in a wedding speech.

For more information about this episode visit answermethispodcast.com/episode410.

Got questions for us to answer? Send them in writing or as a voice note to [email protected], OR - thanks to Adam of SocialComms.uk who has revived our phone number - you can call 0208 123 5877. Next episode will be in your podfeed 30 October 2025 so get your Halloween questions in, or hang onto them for a full year.

Become a patron at patreon.com/answermethis to help with the continuing existence of AMT, and to get an ad-free version of the episode, plus bonus material each month, and our live video question-answering session Petty Problems.

This episode is sponsored by Squarespace, the all in one platform for creating and running your online empire. Go to squarespace.com/answer, have a play around during the two-week free trial, and when you're ready to launch, get a 10% discount on your first purchase of a website or domain with the code ANSWER.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today’s questioneers want to know whether to hide bawdy home decor when kids visit, how one comes to own a cemetery, why cities are full of artist-decorated animals, whether you can eat slugs, what to do with three unwanted sets of boules, and what the most ordered item is from the enormous menu at Cheesecake Factory.

For more information about this episode, and pics of the very special furniture we mention, visit answermethispodcast.com/episode409.

Got questions for us to answer? Send them in writing or as a voice note to [email protected], OR - thanks to Adam of SocialComms.uk who has revived our phone number - you can call 0208 123 5877. Next episode will be in your podfeed 25 September 2025.

Become a patron at patreon.com/answermethis to help with the continuing existence of AMT, and to get an ad-free version of the episode, plus bonus material culled from the show, and our live video question-answering session Petty Problems - you can catch up on previous editions too.

This episode is sponsored by Squarespace, the all in one platform for creating and running your online empire. Go to squarespace.com/answer, have a play around during the two-week free trial, and when you're ready to launch, get a 10% discount on your first purchase of a website or domain with the code ANSWER.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today’s questioneers want to know, among other things, what private investigators actually do, what happened to Deely Boppers (Deely Bobbers?), how to greet your spouse when you’re attending the same business meeting, how to steer someone to not want to work for you, and how to persuade someone to GTFO of the massage chair at the airport that they’re not getting massaged in.

For more information about this episode, visit answermethispodcast.com/episode408.

Got question for us to answer? Send them in writing or as a voice note to [email protected]. Next episode will be in your podfeed 28 August 2025.

Become a patron at patreon.com/answermethis to help with the continuing existence of AMT, and to get an ad-free version of the episode, plus bonus material culled from the show, and our live video question-answering session Petty Problems, the next edition of which is happening 23 August 2025.

This episode is sponsored by Squarespace, the all in one platform for creating and running your online empire. Go to squarespace.com/answer, have a play around during the two-week free trial, and when you're ready to launch, get a 10% discount on your first purchase of a website or domain with the code ANSWER.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today’s questioneers want to know why a coffee shop will have either good coffee or good chairs but not both, WTF Judi Dench’s voice is doing at Disney World, how to stop their coworkers pushing MLMs onto them, how to get their wife to like their malepolish, and why Phoebe from Friends would say lobsters mate for life when actually lobsters just want a quick hot fling and no commitment. 

For more information about this episode, visit answermethispodcast.com/episode407.

Got question for us to answer? Send them in writing or as a voice note to [email protected]. Next episode will be in your podfeed 31 July 2025.

Become a patron at patreon.com/answermethis to help with the continuing existence of AMT, and to get an ad-free version of the episode, plus bonus material culled from the show, and our live video question-answering session Petty Problems.

This episode is sponsored by Squarespace, the all in one platform for creating and running your online empire. Go to squarespace.com/answer, have a play around during the two-week free trial, and when you're ready to launch, get a 10% discount on your first purchase of a website or domain with the code ANSWER.

🎧 Olly's new BBC Sounds series about the building of a new Universal Studios theme park in Bedfordshire is here.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Why do Danes slice up the bride’s veil and the groom’s socks at a wedding? Is it OK to take pats of butter from a cafe? How/when do Popes learn Italian? And what happens if you drop your phone into the toilet at a festival? (Spoiler: nothing good.) Questioneers want to know all these things and more in AMT406. 

For more information about this episode, visit answermethispodcast.com/episode406

Got question for us to answer? Send them in writing or as a voice note to [email protected].

Next episode will be in your podfeed 26 June 2025.

Before that, AMT patrons will be getting a new feature: Petty Problems, a live YouTube version of the show where we only deal with questions that are trivial, unserious, minor. And because it’s live, you can interact with us in real time! The first edition will be 10pm UK time on Sunday 15th June. Patrons also get bonus cuts from the show, an ad-free version of the episode, and the glow of satisfaction of bringing this podcast back to life; so for all that, go to patreon.com/answermethis.

This episode is sponsored by Squarespace, the all in one platform for creating and running your online empire. Go to squarespace.com/answer, have a play around during the two-week free trial, and when you're ready to launch, get a 10% discount on your first purchase of a website or domain with the code ANSWER.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It's one of those fantasy questions that gets batted around when "Who would you want at your fantasy dinner party?" has been wrung dry: what would you spend the money on if you won the lottery?

Except one questioneer has actually done it, and now they need to figure out what to spend the money on in a way that doesn't tip anyone off that they won the lottery. 

Plus, questioneers want to know: what do pretzels mean, when did sports winners start kissing trophies, who had the incredible idea to make biscuits into spread, what do you do with your late spouse's underpants, and how to do you stop being given gifts of toe socks.

For more information about this episode, visit answermethispodcast.com/episode405.

Got questions for us to answer? Send them in writing or as a voice note to [email protected]. Next episode will be in your podfeed 29 May 2025.

AMT patrons will be getting bonus material before that, as well as an ad-free version of the episode, and the glow of satisfaction of bringing this podcast back to life; so to become a patron, go to patreon.com/answermethis.

This episode is sponsored by Squarespace, the all in one platform for creating and running your online empire. Go to squarespace.com/answer, have a play around during the two-week free trial, and when you're ready to launch, get a 10% discount on your first purchase of a website or domain with the code ANSWER.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In AMT404, listeners want to know where to go to see the northern lights, why Jesus's official birthday and deathday aren't on the same calendar, and who is being weird: them, or their family? We also learn about sand heists, leaving your body to science/Disneyland, and werewolf menstruation.

For more information about this episode, visit answermethispodcast.com/episode404.

Got question for us to answer? Send them in writing or as a voice note to [email protected].

Next episode will be in your podfeed 1 May 2025.

Our patrons will be getting bonus material before that, as well as an ad-free version of the episode, so to become one, go to patreon.com/answermethis.

This episode is sponsored by Squarespace, the all in one platform for creating and running your online empire. Go to squarespace.com/answer, have a play around during the two-week free trial, and when you're ready to launch, get a 10% discount on your first purchase of a website or domain with the code ANSWER.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We've been making this show for a long time. We have had SO many questions about weddings. And yet, in AMT403, we get a whole fresh spin on the Wedding WTFery genre of question. Plus, questioneers ask about understudies' pay, popcorn's popularity, and who has to clear out your shed after you die.

For more information about this episode, visit answermethispodcast.com/episode403.

Got question for us to answer? Send them in writing or as a voice note to [email protected]. Next episode will be in your podfeed 27 March 2025.

Our patrons will be getting bonus material  before that, so to become one, go to patreon.com/answermethis

This episode is sponsored by Squarespace, the all in one platform for creating and running your online empire. Go to squarespace.com/answer, have a play around during the two-week free trial, and when you're ready to launch, get a 10% discount on your first purchase of a website or domain with the code ANSWER.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices