Simon Barlow gets a letter from Sam Blakeman, wishing him all the best for his day in court. ‘Hope you stay out of gaol,’ reads the letter, which brings out the lexicographer in Simon. Weatherfield’s answer to Susie Dent reckons the old-fashioned use of ‘gaol’ makes it sound like Sam is from the 12th Century. The spelling was the usual form of the word until the 1930s, when the modern ‘jail’ started to become more prevalent.
At Speed Daal, dates of a different kind – the fruit variety – are being discussed. Stu Carpenter is surprised by how quickly the restaurant has run out of them, which Yasmeen Metcalfe attributes to increased hunger levels during Ramadan. When 12th Century time traveller Sam gets caught playing truant from school, Leanne Battersby calls him ‘Skivey McSkiveface’. She’s obviously inspired by the national poll – and arguable abuse of the democratic process – that led to a British autosub being christened Boaty McBoatface in 2016.
Coronation Street episode 11212/11213. Originally aired 13th March 2024.
