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Linguistic Challenges in 'I Can't Say the F Word'

I Can't Say The F Word- photo credit George Popov

Gavin Roach enjoyed a sold out season of his previous Fringe World show ‘Confessions of a Grindr Addict’, this year returns with a brand new show.

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“My new show ‘I Can’t Say the F Word’ is quite different from ‘Confessions of a Grindr Addict’. It’s not as character based, this one’s more looking at my own personal struggle that I can’t say one word and why that is.” Roach said.

“It takes the audience on a journey through a look at words we don’t use anymore and new words that get added to the English language. Words can really have quite an impact on our identity and who we are when we’re growing up.”

Roach responds to the news that queer centric word ‘cra-cra’ has made this year list of the world’s most overused words.

“I hate it when people say half words, it’s just one word crazy! You don’t need two, you’re just repeating yourself.”

Roach shares that in preparing for the show he spent some time researching words that he doesn’t like to say, alongside those that he loves to say.

“I don’t have a problem with it, but a lot of people cringe at the word ‘moist’. I don’t have a problem with it unless people use it in the context of a cake. I mean, cake is not wet or dewy, it’s not moist.” Roach argues.

For words we don’t use anymore Roach nominates the word ‘groak’ as a favourite.

“It means to silently watch someone eat hoping to be invited to join. I love it, there are so many times I have food envy, looking at people in cafés wishing that I’d ordered what they’re having.”

For a show that looks like a mountain of fun, and also gives you the chance to improve your vocabulary check out ‘I Can’t Say the F Word’. It’s on from February 4th to 8th and tickets can be booked at www.fringeworld.com

Graeme Watson

Image: George Popov

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