Why Would You Tell Me That?

As befits a fact about traffic jams, you’re going to have to wait for it. Part 2 sees Dave delve into some mind-blowing trivia tidbits about some mind-numbing traffic jams. There are some quality truth bombs in there but can those little knowledge grenades possible live up to what Neil has described as “a top five fact for the podcast ever” from Part 1? He introduces us to the insects that wi...

In this week's episode, Neil tells us about the 49 states in the US where it's ok to do something with a deceased person's tattoos and, frankly, you'll never be the same after you hear it! Dave tells us how porcupines failed at evolution, gives details of a riot over hats that lasted eight days and explains why you shouldn't say Sahara Desert any more! To listen to Dave on the radio, check ou...

Fungi. Fun guy? Ah, forget it. This week's episode starts pleasantly enough and then — make no mistake — turns to filth. It's very harmless, fun filth, but filth nonetheless. We learn which author received a gift that enabled them to write an all-time classic and, in part two, Dave walks us through how mushrooms create their own weather. The detour in the middle on cereals, however, is quite the a...

Well we all know the Holy Spirit is everywhere, but which country is in all four hemispheres? Fear ye not, young David Moore is here to explain. And if that doesn’t whet your trivia appetite, the lads also chat about the 'Man Who Lived Through Doomsday'. It’s a packed episode. Come for the facts, stay for what can only be described as Dave’s masterful bird impressions. Imagine Dr Doolittle su...

In this episode, Neil seems to prove the existence of poltergeists in a court of law and tells the tale of a real life Weekend at Bernie’s with snooker star Jimmy White! Not to be outdone, Dave reenacts your reviews and tells us amazing facts about your favourite show starring Chandler, Monica, Phoebe, Ross, Rachel and Joey. That’s right — it’s Six of One! To listen to Dave on the radio, check out...

You know yourself: another day, another session of rhythmically driving yourself to the grave. Neil explains to Dave just how this exact phenomenon occurred and Dave talks us through the weirdest car names in history. What exactly is a Mysterious Utility Wizard and where would one get one?   To listen to Dave on the radio, check out https://www.todayfm.com/shows/dave-moore-1499732 &...

In the second episode of this new (dare we say improved?!?) format, Neil tells us about Gino D’Acampo’s problems (no, not those ones) and also how nice mice are. Dave tells us about horseradish, passing by an ass and how he just doesn’t care. It doesn’t make much sense, so you’d better just listen! To listen to Dave on the radio, check out https://www.todayfm.com/shows/dave-moore-1499732...

The lads are back with a slight amendment. Series 9 sees the two reprobates just talking to one another and not roping in a distinguished but often confused expert to put up with their nonsense. In this episode’s fact-off, Dave explains which animal in the zoo is by far the most expensive to keep, and Neil responds by walking us through the story of the oldest name in the world. They also del...

In this episode, we unearth the reasons we say Gizmo, Thingamajig or Whatchamacalit with Ursula Kania, Senior Lecturer in English Language and Linguistics at the University of Liverpool! If you think those words are good, wait till you hear the Russian and Dutch versions! Oh, and in part 1, Dave introduces us to a Finnish phrase that we didn’t know we needed but we do because how else could you de...

This week, the lads cover the amazing story of why there are 700 nuns’ brains in jars in the US. Clinician and author, Dr Daniel Nightingale talks them through the detailed studies that have been conducted on the organs and what they tell us about dementia and ‘cognitive reserve’. If that’s not enough, Neil blows Dave’s mind with the fact that the easternmost point and the westernmost point of the...

Where does Dave find these people? Instagram, mostly. That’s where he came across curator, consultant, antiques expert and historian, Steven Moore. He can tell us about many things, but his love of tea cups is today’s chosen topic and he more than delivers! We learn more than we ever needed to know about the fascinating history of tea’s best friend, biscuits! Also, Neil’s Deliveroo pun may be his...

This week, the lads concentrate on ‘big Irish heads’ with Dr Ian Miller, historian and author of A History of Ireland in 10 Body Parts. The book, as you might imagine, covers a plethora of noteworthy limbs, but even a zoom in on just our noggins informs Neil and Dave about some wonderful tidbits. Can a Iron Age bog body really be wearing hair gel? (Spoiler: Yes he can). To listen to Dave on t...

Dave is trying to change our perception of everyday things again. Last season, it was menus and this time it’s queueing! Did you know there’s a very precise science behind waiting in line? Well, in well-designed queuing, anyway. Brett Little, the People Movement Lead for Arup in the UK will tell us all about the Disney Queue, bottom-filling pints and why there is sometimes karaoke after rugby game...

This one is going to sound odd, but that’s because it is. Economist, author and broadcaster David McWilliams pops into Why Would You Tell Me That? towers and explains the bizarre story of why Hitler wanted to drop money from planes all over the UK. Find out just how far the plan got and what happened to the notes produced. And to whet your money appetite, the lads look at some of some other financ...

All the simple questions are asked on this podcast, week in, week out. Ketchup or brown sauce? Beef or salmon? Who owns the Moon? Yep. Standard. Dave has employed the talents of Dr. Jill Stuart, an expert in space policy, ethics and law, to explain all about humanity’s plans to explore, potentially colonise and possibly even exploit the Moon. We also meet a differently-qualified lady, who was sell...

Okay, this week’s episode won’t help you avoid the travesty of certain 'Irish' accents attempted by some Hollywood greats, because it’s not about accents. It’s about the unique way English is spoken on the island of Ireland, so it is. The phrasing, the word order, the emphatic tags — we got you covered. Who better to explain it than Sonya Matthews, someone with two degrees in Hiberno-English? As i...

In this week’s episode, there is 100% less colonoscopy content than last week. Disappointing, we know. However, what this episode lacks in colorectal exploration, it more than makes up for with Dane Bowers, The Who and the Cheers theme tune! You see, Dave is introducing us all to Rob Johnson, who is a Pop Music Activist. He literally saves the pop songs that streaming forgot and gets them put onli...

We're back! Neil kicks off Season 8 with the one and only Rick Edwards. Not only is he an exceptionally talented broadcaster, he also has a degree from the University of Cambridge and has written a book called 'Hollywood Wants To Kill You: The Peculiar Science of Death in the Movies’. Also, he'll be revealing some rather *ahem* personal information.  Plus, in part one, we'll find out the trut...

This week, the lads welcome back the brilliant Dr Andrew Mackillop to tell the story of the most audacious scam in Scotland’s history. It takes quite a lot to just make up a country, name yourself ruler and then sell land rights to that imaginary place. Well, that’s just the start of the story of a man named Gregor McGregor.    Now, that said, there is a video Neil plays Dave that w...

In this week’s episode, we meet Gerhard Schönbacher who tried and succeeded in losing the Tour de France on purpose... twice! Journalist and press officer with Team Jayco–AlUla Cycling, Sadhbh O’Shea,   joins the lads to tell them all about this mad Austrian cyclist. And motorsport driver. And speed skier. He is a mad yoke! We also hear about some of the wilder prizes in s...

Well, this one is classic WWYTMT!? territory. Historian and author Natasha Tidd joins Neil and Dave to talk them through some of the most lurid pieces of fake news ever written. The lads discover how mendacious Mark Twain was, whether beavers walked on the moon and just how serious the consequences can be of fake news that has clearly evil intent. Part 1 sees the boys learn how to avoid a tig...

This week, we go fact wild with Cody Tucker aka 'The Cody Show'. Did you know the real backstory of ZZ Top? Which massive star turned down the song Danger Zone? Or the incredible connection between Martin Luther King and Julia Roberts? All of this and more revealed by Cody! We also find out an incredible fact about one of Ireland's busiest roads, the word you need to get a massive score in Scrabbl...

This week, the lads are joined by Jonn Elledge to explain why a poplar tree caused a dangerous international incident. Jonn is the author of 'The History of the World in 47 Borders' and he takes Neil and Dave on a whirlwind jaunt around the globe. They’ll visit curiosities like the medieval state where the only residents were the unmarried daughters of nobles and the Italian town surroun...

This week, we dive into the fascinating world of menu design with Menu Engineer, Sean Willard. Did you know that putting a box around your best-selling dish will make it sell even more? Why do some menus have prices but no currency symbols? And what’s more important: the food you serve or the menu you show your customers? All of this and more answered by Sean! We also learn how bad design gave us...

Can you prepare for the most anxiety-inducing part of any football tournament and if so, how? This week, the lads are joined by Professor Geir Jordet, who holds a PhD. in soccer and psychology, to explain not only how to prepare for that eventuality but also how we can use those lessons to deal with pressure in everyday life. As if these tips aren’t useful enough, in part one Neil explains what to...