A man who has a rare condition that enables him to taste, smell and feel words has said that words “ChristmasIt doesn’t taste like most people think.
Henry Gray, 23, was diagnosed in 2009 with lexical-gustatory synastheria, which means he can taste, smell or feel an emotion associated with words.
To him, the word “Christmas” doesn’t taste like mulled wine and mince pie, but rather “crisps dipped in plain yogurt.”
synesthesia A neurological condition that results in fusion or fusion of senses that would not normally be connected.
People with this condition can often lose taste or smell when they hear, speak, read or think about words.
Grey, from Newcastle, said the word “celebration” smells like incense, while “tinsel” tastes “like a mouthful of crushed ice”.
“As for Saint Nicholas – ‘Saint’ is salty and ‘Nicholas’ are little pieces of the puzzle dipped in vinegar,” he continued.
“Interestingly, ‘turkey’ tastes like shredded chicken.
“‘Scrooge’ is a weird one – it tastes like spaghetti hoops but with a metallic taste like spaghetti hoops melting battery metal.”
Gray explains: “I’ve always associated words and names with tastes, smells and feelings – that’s all I’ve ever known.”
Henry has a list of names for TikTok. He’s asking his customers to comment on their names to see how their names taste or smell.
(Lee McLean / SWNS)
She had assumed that everyone was able to taste or smell words, until her parents and teachers pulled her up on comments on classmates’ names.
“I used to say ‘Lucy is like a big red lollipop’ when they called out her name at the register and everyone looked at me confused,” he recalls.
“Most of the time I like to have synesthesia and not have it get in the way.
“I’m a bartender in a pub so whenever I see people’s IDs, I have a strong sense of taste and smell.”
Gray revealed that “one of the worst names for me is Kirsty” because it has a “faint smell of urine”.
The condition mainly affects her with names, but other words such as “Yuletide” have the sensation of feeling sick, and “bauble” tastes like bubblegum.
Other celebratory words that have different sensibilities for Gray include “submit”, which sounds like placing one’s lips against a window; “Santa”, which is like a bite into an M&M; “Reindeer”, which triggers visions of silver and red flashes; and “Winter”, which “brings up the image of a white bunny hiding its face with its own floppy ears”.
According to the UK Synesthesia Association, the sensation brought on by synesthesia is automatic and cannot be turned off. It is not a disease or illness and is not harmful.
Reporting by SWNS