Moncrieff

When was the last time you saw an email open with 'Dear' or finish with something like 'Yours Sincerely'? It seems younger people are denouncing the traditional ways of communicating, and are opting for less formal language.  Is this a sign that the English language is becoming more relaxed? Does it matter if we let go of formalities? And what are the triggers for this kind of language evolution?  Dr Stephen Lucek, Assistant Professor in Linguistics at UCD...

Celebrities like Kate Moss and Phoebe Waller-Bridge smoking outside cafes in London has enraged one journalist, who thinks this is going to do no good for getting young people way from smoking. Journalist and author Jenni Murray joined Sean to discuss...

It isn’t uncommon for well-known quotes to be misattributed to famous writers. This appears to be what has happened on the medals for the upcoming Dublin marathon. Sean was joined by Susan O’Keefe, Director of the Yeats Society Sligo...

Last night, the MTV Video Music Awards took place in New Jersey, with some of the biggest stars in the world arriving to pick up their gongs. But the irony is that MTV rarely if ever screens music videos anymore. So, what happened to this staple, the thing which used to be almost as big as the music itself?Music journalist Ian Winwood joined Sean to discuss...

They say when you are looking for a new home, sometimes you just know when you walk through the front door that this is the one for you.  On the flip side, there can be a weird energy or vibe off a place – something that just doesn’t feel right. Matt Blake bought an old property in London, not realising it came with a dark past and had been home to a notorious criminal before him.  Matt Blake, freelance writer and he joined Sean to discuss...

Have you ever suspected your spouse of infidelity? Well, a new phenomenon of so-called ‘loyalty testers’ is kicking off in the UK, the US and other countries. Kirsty Blake Kox, Columnist with the Irish Independent joined Sean to discuss...

Everyday we might have to do a little small talk at work or at the supermarket, that awkward moment at the photocopier or at the coffee machine, chatting to the lolly pop lady. But some of us find it extremely excruciating and suffer from sheer small talk shyness.  Sean was joined by Henry McKean to discuss...

Glyphosate has been found in samples taken from all but one of a group of Irish volunteers tested for the controversial weedkiller. The exercise has deepened fears that the chemical is more widespread than ever and becoming increasingly difficult to avoid.  Sean was joined by Caroline O’Doherty, Environmental Correspondent at the Irish Independent to discuss...

Adults have so much going on in their lives that they rarelt have time to play. Author Edel Coffey has been looking at a group of women in the US who meet up regularly just to play games with one another and she joined Sean to discuss...

At the Last Night of the Proms event over the weekend, a concert associated with nationalistic renditions of Rule Britannia and the like, controversey has erupted after a sea of EU flags swept the audience. Those responsible are a group who are campaigning for Britain to rejoin the EU for the sake of touring musicians.Sean was joined by Charlie, a volunteer with the Thank EU for the Music campaign group...