The Word (radio) The Word (radio) The Word was a weekly half-hour radio programme on the BBC World Service about books and writers. Its final edition was in October 2008. Once a month its slot was taken over by "World Book Club", in which listeners submitted questions to a famous writer. Both programmes were presented by Harriett Gilbert. "World Book Club" continues to be broadcast once a month on Saturdays. "The Word" emerged from an earlier World Service book programme "Meridian Books" (which had several presenters, including Michael Rosen, Verity Sharp, and Rosemary Hartill,) as well as a poetry request programme, "Poems by
Mum's the word Mum's the word Mum's the word is a popular English idiom. It is related to an expression used by William Shakespeare, in "Henry VI, Part 2". The word “mum” is a slanged version of momme, which was used between 1350-1400 in Middle English with very close to the same meaning: Be silent; Do not reveal "Mum's the word" means to keep silent or quiet. "Mum" is a Middle English word meaning 'silent', and may be derived from the "mummer" who acts without speaking. Note the similar English word "mime" (Old English "mīma", Latin "mimus") meaning silent actor or imitator. The