Ep 3. Road and Rail

In season 19 episode 3 of QI, titled Road and Rail, host Sandi Toksvig is joined by comedians Rhod Gilbert, Ed Byrne, Victoria Coren Mitchell, and Bill Bailey to discuss all things related to transportation.

The episode kicks off with a discussion of the origins of the word "car", which turns out to have some surprising roots in ancient Sanskrit. From there, the panelists explore the evolution of roads and highways, from ancient Roman roads to modern-day highways with multiple lanes and speed limits.

The discussion then turns to railways, with a deep dive into the technological advances that made trains possible, including the development of steam power and the creation of the railroad track itself. The panelists also examine the many different types of trains that have been developed over the years, from bullet trains to luxury sleeper cars.

Throughout the episode, Toksvig keeps the conversation flowing with a series of fascinating facts and trivia tidbits about transportation. Did you know that the world's first traffic jam occurred in 1867, when a horse-drawn carriage broke down on London's Regent Street? Or that the first recorded automobile accident took place in 1891, when a car hit a tree root in Ohio and crashed? These are just a few of the many curious facts that come up in this episode.

But the show isn't just about the past - the panelists also look to the future of transportation, with debates on topics like self-driving cars and hyperloops. As always, the conversation is lively and often hilarious, with plenty of witty banter and clever jokes.

Overall, Road and Rail is a fun and fascinating episode of QI that's sure to appeal to fans of trivia, history, and comedy. Whether you're a transportation buff or simply enjoy learning new things, this episode is a must-watch.