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#626 | The Strange Story of Punch and Judy
13 August 2026

#626 | The Strange Story of Punch and Judy

English Learning for Curious Minds | A More Interesting Way To Learn English

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He wears a red hat, carries a stick, and laughs as he beats almost everyone he meets.

 

This episode tells the odd, violent story of Punch and Judy, the puppet show that began in Italy and became a British seaside symbol.

 

It looks at how Mr Punch survived for over 300 years, and why many now question whether he still belongs on the beach.

 



    The swazzle and Mr Punch's strange squeaky voice
    Italian street theatre origins and Pulcinella
    Arrival in London in 1662 with Samuel Pepys
    From marionettes to glove puppets and slapstick action
    The 1828 book and forgery doubts
    Judy, the baby, the policeman, the crocodile and the devil
    Violent plot and the "That's the way to do it!" catchphrase
    Rise at the seaside with Victorian railways
    Mr Punch and the humour magazine Punch
    Modern decline, criticism, attempts to modernise, and an uncertain future




Full interactive transcript, subtitles and key vocabulary available on the website: https://www.leonardoenglish.com/podcasts/punch-and-judy

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Keywords: Learn English, idioms, aprende inglés, idiomas, aprender inglês, apprendre l'anglais, imparare l’inglese, ingilizce öğren,英語を習う, تعلم الإنجليزية