Room Escape Artist

“ Diplomatic corps are ripe for clandestine services.”

Is diplomatic immunity really a legal loophole for avoiding parking tickets? Does the land upon which the embassy sits belong to the embassy or the host country? We’re joined by the author of Because Internet, and co-host of Lingthusiasm, Gretchen McCulloch, for a deep dive into diplomatic immunity. David takes us from the ancient and extremely hazardous job of being a wartime messenger to the modern rules governing diplomats, embassies, and diplomatic bags.

Along the way, Gretchen talks nerdy to us about language in the modern era, explaining how the internet has transformed memes, and what it means for communication today. She also gets into how spellcheck influenced modern British spelling. Today’s game is Cover Story, where the players must suss out the “spy” hidden in a group of words by figuring out which word doesn’t belong.

Time Stamps

• 01:18 Game: Cover Story
• 14:16 About: Gretchen McCulloch & Because Internet
• 22:36 Topic: Diplomatic Immunity
• 34:46 Credits

Guest: Gretchen McCulloch

Bluesky: @gretchenmcculloch.com, @lingthusiasm.com
Instagram: @gretchen.mcculloch, @lingthusiasm

Websites: gretchenmcculloch.com, lingthusiasm.com

Gretchen McCulloch is an internet linguist and author of the New York Times bestselling Because Internet: Understanding the New Rules of Language. She’s been the Resident Linguist at Wired and The Toast and is the co-creator of Lingthusiasm, a podcast that’s enthusiastic about linguistics. She lives in Montreal, but also on the internet.

More Podcasts from Peih-Gee & David

If you enjoy PG’s Playhouse, check out Reality Escape Pod (REPOD), where your hosts David Spira & Peih-Gee Law explore immersive gaming from all angles, alongside guests with incredible experience in this realm.

And by supporting Room Escape Artist on Patreon, you’ll get access to the REPOD Bonus After Show ($5 per month and up) and the Spoilers Club ($15 per month and up) where we chat in depth with creators about iconic escape rooms… spoilers and all!

Production Credits

• Hosted by Peih-Gee Law & David Spira
• Puzzles by Peih-Gee Law
• Produced by Theresa Piazza
• Supported by Lisa Spira
• Edited by Peih-Gee Law
• Music by Matt Farthing
• Logo by Theresa Wagner