Latest news with #DictionaryCorner
The Journal
29-05-2025
- General
- The Journal
How do you pronounce ‘mischievous'?
IT TURNS OUT that the word mischievous – meaning 'bad behaviour that is annoying but does not cause any serious damage or harm' – is one of the most commonly mispronounced words in English. While it's meant to be pronounced as mis-chuv-vuhs, a lot of people throw in an extra syllable and out comes mis-chee-vious. Advertisement But this pronunciation is now widely accepted in casual speech, says lexicographer Susie Dent , who has appeared in Dictionary Corner on Channel 4′s Countdown since 1992. Only two words in English end with 'ievous': mischievous, and grievous. So in fairness, it's an easy mix-up. So, tell us (be honest): How have you been pronouncing 'mischievous'? Poll Results: Mis-chee-vious (369) Mis-chuv-vuhs (299) I don't know – I'm questioning myself now... (33) I say it a different way (19) Mis-chuv-vuhs Mis-chee-vious I say it a different way I don't know – I'm questioning myself now... Vote
BBC News
24-02-2025
- Entertainment
- BBC News
'Rock' mathematician makes Countdown debut
An Oxford and Cambridge university lecturer and YouTuber has made his debut on TV quiz Tom Crawford, who has more than 200,000 subscribers on his YouTube channel Tom Rocks Maths, is the show's first-ever male is filling in as numbers expert for regular co-presenter Rachel Riley, and made his debut alongside host Colin Murray and lexicographer Susie Dent, with Sir Stephen Fry in Dictionary Corner. He told the BBC: "I still can't believe I did it. I can't believe this whole thing happened." Dr Crawford is lecturer and public engagement lead at the department for continuing education at Oxford, and a lecturer in applied mathematics at YouTube channel aims to share his love of maths "whilst trying to make it accessible for everyone".He took time out from his timetable at Oxford to watch the first pre-recorded show go out on Monday afternoon."I've scheduled in that one hour and I'm just going to sit there, have a late lunch, and watch myself in complete disbelief on TV," he said before transmission. Introducing Dr Crawford on the show, Colin Murray said: "Things are really exciting around here... we've got a new member of the Countdown family."The number cruncher, who was dressed smartly in a dark blue long-sleeved shirt, admitted to the studio guests and audience that he was a "little nervous but very excited".He was called into action several times in the numbers rounds when the contestants failed to solve the tricky calculations, working out sums on the white board to the show's conclusion, Sir Stephen joked: "He's fine. His handwriting's a little smaller than Rachel's."Ms Dent remarked: "I think he fitted right in. I'm very impressed." Dr Crawford told the BBC he received a "mysterious" email about an "interesting TV opportunity", which led to his first audition on a mock up of the Countdown set."They were throwing number puzzles at me," he explained. "And you've got the music going in the background." 'Warm fuzzies' Dr Crawford, who has a love of alternative rock music and is considering getting a new tattoo to commemorate his Countdown debut, conceded he did not have the stereotypical look of a he said: "With any profession, with any group of people, there will always be a range of people."The best email I ever received was a few years ago and it was the parent of a teenager, and it just said he was losing his way and didn't think he could become a mathematician because he was a bit alternative."And he found what I was doing and she said he changed as a person, and she just wanted to reach out to me as a mother. "I'm getting warm fuzzies thinking about it. It's crazy that I possibly have this effect on anybody, but it's so heart-warming and awesome to know that I might have." Rachel Riley, who is working on another project for three weeks while Dr Crawford picks up the baton, said: "Countdown viewers are in great hands with Tom, who is a brilliant mathematician and a lovely guy. "He's also used to people commenting on the clothes he wears, or lack of them on his show, so I am sure he will take to the role like a duck to water."Previous to Rachel Riley, Carol Vorderman looked after the numbers on the show for more than 26 was the first programme to be broadcast on Channel 4 when it launched in 1982, and has been a dependable daytime hit for the broadcaster ever since. You can follow BBC Oxfordshire on Facebook, X (Twitter), or Instagram.
Telegraph
20-02-2025
- Entertainment
- Telegraph
Countdown replaces Rachel Riley with tattooed YouTuber
Rachel Riley has been temporarily replaced on Countdown by a tattooed YouTube mathematician who teaches equations in his underwear. Dr Tom Crawford, known for his Tom Rocks Maths channel on the video-sharing website, will be standing in for Riley on the Channel 4 programme while she takes a break to work on another project. The 35-year-old is a friend of Riley's and spent time with her to learn the ropes before stepping in as the game show's numbers expert. He has more than 200,000 subscribers on YouTube, where he posts mathematics explainers, including by stripping off layers of clothing while simplifying sums in his 'Equations Stripped' series. Riley joked that Dr Crawford was 'used to people commenting on the clothes he wears – or lack of them – on his show,' adding: 'So I am sure he will take to the role like a duck to water.' Dr Crawford's goal with his series is to make ' elite mathematics teaching available to everyone' and some of his videos garner millions of views. He graduated from the University of Cambridge with a PhD in Applied Mathematics in 2016 and is a mathematician at both Cambridge and Oxford universities. The professor is also a lecturer in applied mathematics at Cambridge's Robinson College and, according to his official website, has 15 maths-themed tattoos – including one of his YouTube handle on his forearm. Filming for the show began in December and Dr Crawford will appear alongside Susie Dent, Countdown's lexicographer, and Colin Murray, its main host, for the next three weeks. Sir Stephen Fry will be in Dictionary Corner for Dr Crawford's first show, with Jenny Powell, the television and radio presenter, and Vick Hope, another radio presenter, also appearing as guests over the next three weeks. Riley, a University of Oxford graduate who has been on the show since January 2009, said: 'Countdown viewers are in great hands with Tom, who is a brilliant mathematician and a lovely guy.' Dr Crawford said: 'All of my work online is about sharing my love of maths with the world whilst trying to make it accessible for everyone. 'Countdown has been doing that for a generation, so it really is a dream come true to be joining this iconic show to cover Rachel. I may even have to get another tattoo to commemorate the event.' Dr Crawford previously hosted a special Countdown edition of his YouTube series in 2020, where he brought on former contestant Kai Laddiman, the second youngest octochamp in the show's history. Laddiman, who appeared on the Channel 4 show in 2008 at the age of 11, joined Dr Crawford and James Martin, another former Countdown contestant from 1997, in the video. Dr Crawford also did a follow-up special episode related to the show titled 'How to Learn Maths and Become a Countdown Champion,' where he interviewed the same guests about their experiences on the programme. Countdown was the first show aired on Channel 4 when the broadcaster launched in November 1982. Adapted from the French TV series Des chiffres et des lettres (Numbers and letters), it was originally hosted by Richard Whiteley. Subsequent presenters included Des Lynam, Des O'Connor and Jeff Stelling, with television and radio presenter Murray named the permanent host in 2023, following Anne Robinson's departure. Carol Vorderman appeared on the show as assistant host, managing the letters board and checking calculations, for 26 years from 1982 until December 2008, and was replaced by Riley. Riley, who is married to former Strictly Come Dancing professional Pasha Kovalev, was named in the 2022 New Year Honours list where she was made an MBE for services to Holocaust education and fighting anti-Semitism. Countdown airs on Channel 4 every weekday afternoon from 2.10pm.
The Independent
20-02-2025
- Entertainment
- The Independent
Mathematician Dr Tom Crawford to cover for Rachel Riley on Channel 4's Countdown
Mathematician Dr Tom Crawford will stand in for Rachel Riley on Channel 4's Countdown while she takes a short break to work on another project, it has been announced. Dr Crawford is well-known for his Tom Rocks Maths YouTube account, where he has more than 200,000 subscribers, with some of his videos clocking up millions of views. His YouTube videos see him make 'elite mathematics teaching available to everyone', and also feature the 'Equations Stripped' series. In the Equations Stripped videos, he simplifies and strips back maths equations 'layer by layer so that everyone can understand' them, and also removes most of his clothes. He is a mathematician at Cambridge and Oxford Universities, having completed his PhD in applied maths at Cambridge in 2016. He also holds the position of fellow by special election at St Edmund Hall and public engagement lead at the Oxford University Department for Continuing Education. He is a lecturer in Applied Mathematics at Cambridge's Robinson College and according to his official website, has 15 maths-themed tattoos. Dr Crawford, who is a friend of Riley's and has spent time with her to learn the ropes, began filming in December. He will be seen on screen alongside the show's lexicographer, Susie Dent, and host, Colin Murray, for the next three weeks. Sir Stephen Fry will be in Dictionary Corner for Dr Crawford's first show, with TV and radio presenter Jenny Powell and radio presenter Vick Hope also appearing as guests over the next three weeks. Oxford University graduate Riley, who has been on the show since January 2009, said: 'Countdown viewers are in great hands with Tom, who is a brilliant Mathematician and a lovely guy. 'He's also used to people commenting on the clothes he wears (or lack of them) on his show so I am sure he will take to the role like a duck to water.' Dr Crawford said: 'All of my work online is about sharing my love of Maths with the world whilst trying to make it accessible for everyone. 'Countdown has been doing that for a generation, so it really is a dream come true to be joining this iconic show to cover Rachel. I may even have to get another tattoo to commemorate the event.' Countdown was the first programme aired on Channel 4 when the broadcaster launched in November 1982. Adapted from the French TV series Des Chiffres Et Des Lettres (Numbers and Letters), it was originally hosted by Richard Whiteley. Subsequent presenters included Des Lynam, Des O'Connor and Jeff Stelling, with TV and radio presenter Murray named the permanent host in 2023, following Anne Robinson's departure. Carol Vorderman appeared on the show as the assistant host, managing the letters board and checking calculations, for 26 years from 1982 until December 2008, and was replaced by Riley. Riley, who is married to former Strictly Come Dancing professional Pasha Kovalev, was named in the 2022 New Year Honours list where she was made an MBE, recognised for services to Holocaust education and fighting antisemitism. Countdown airs on Channel 4 every weekday afternoon from 2.10pm.
