Shows
Words Unravelled with RobWords and Jess ZafarrisWhat does 'chupacabra' literally mean? | CRYPTIDS & MYTHICAL BEASTSJess and Rob are exploring the etymological origins of mythical beasts and cryptids.
🐺 What does "Chupacabra" mean?
🦑 Why are we getting the name "Kraken" wrong?
🐉 What animal was the original "dragon"?
These questions answered – and many more besides – in another Words Unravelled.
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2025-12-1746 minWords Unravelled with RobWords and Jess ZafarrisWhy do we say 'bury the hatchet'? | SAYINGS EXPLAINEDIn this episode, Rob and Jess explore the stories behind a host of common sayings.
🪓 Does anyone actually 'bury the hatchet'?
😈 Was there ever a 'devil's advocate'?
🔫 What is a 'son of a gun'?
🪶 Why would you have a 'feather in your cap'?
These questions answered – and many more – in another idioms episode of Words Unravelled.
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2025-12-1043 minWords Unravelled with RobWords and Jess ZafarrisVulgar language and criminal slangThis episode of Words Unravelled is not for the easily offended, as Rob and Jess explore dictionaries dedicated to underground slang.
Focusing first on Francis Grose's 'Classical Dictionary of the Vulgar Tongue', our hosts pick out some of the rudest, meanest and funniest words recorded in 18th century London.
They also discuss other attempts to document the everyday talk of the criminal classes, and take a special look at London's 20th century 'gay language', Polari.
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2025-12-0342 minWords Unravelled with RobWords and Jess ZafarrisIs English a Germanic language?It's sometimes said that English has taken on so many Latin and French words that it is now a Romance language. Rob and Jess believe this is false, and in this episode they explain why.
Join them as they explain just how similar English is to its siblings Dutch and German and its cousins Swedish, Danish and Norwegian. Learn about the many words borrowed from other Germanic languages. And discover why English has Germanic DNA.
Enjoy another wordy, nerdy episode of Words Unravelled.
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2025-11-2647 minWords Unravelled with RobWords and Jess ZafarrisGetting quizzed on the quirks of English (with Joshua Blackburn)What is the Baader-Meinhof effect? How many quotes are wrongly attributed to Churchill? What's Jess's funniest linguistics joke?
These questions answered, and many more, in a special episode of Words Unravelled featuring League of the Lexicon founder Joshua Blackburn.
You can find out more about his board game and accompanying book, The Language-Lover's Lexipedia, here: https://www.leagueofthelexicon.com/
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2025-11-1939 minWords Unravelled with RobWords and Jess ZafarrisWhich was the original 'football'? | SPORTS WORDSIn this episode, Jess and Rob get sporty as they trace the origins of the words behind our favourite games.
⚾️ What is the word "sport" short for?
🏉 Why does American "football" barely involve your feet?
🏏 What do Brits mean when they say something "isn't cricket"?
Expect Victorian public schools, Indigenous ball games, and a few linguistic own goals in another Words Unravelled.
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2025-11-1240 minWords Unravelled with RobWords and Jess ZafarrisWhat does your name mean? | FIRST NAMES EXPLAINEDRob and Jess are exploring the origins of first names.
👩 Are all MARYS actually MIRIAMS?
🕵️♀️ How can JAMES, IAGO and JACOB be the same?
💡 What do ROBERT and JESSICA mean?
These questions answered – and many more – in this nominally fascinating etymological exploration of why we're called what we're called. It's time for Words Unravelled!
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2025-11-0542 minWords Unravelled with RobWords and Jess ZafarrisAre pets called 'pets' because we pet them? | PET WORDSIn this episode, Rob and Jess dig into the origins of the words we use for our furry, feathered, and occasionally scaly companions.
🐕 Where does the word 'dog' come from?
🐈 What does 'cat' literally mean?
🐹 Are guinea pigs even from Guinea?
These questions answered, and many more, in this edition of Words Unravelled dedicated to our beloved pets.
WATCH THIS EPISODE: https://youtu.be/_r2HMeiDhKA
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2025-10-2944 minWords Unravelled with RobWords and Jess ZafarrisCan a hill be taller than a mountain? | GEOGRAPHY WORDSFrom mountain high to valley low, Rob Watts and Jess Zafarris are exploring the origins of geography words.
🐻❄️ Why are the poles called 'poles'?
🗻 What is the difference between a hill and a mountain?
🧭 What do the points of the compass literally mean?
These questions answered – and many more – in another worldly, wordy and nerdy episode of Words Unravelled.
🎥 WATCH THIS EPISODE: https://youtu.be/0TTPpHUVL3Y
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2025-10-2239 minWords Unravelled with RobWords and Jess Zafarris100 Word Facts... and Rob & Jess meet!Internet word nerds RobWords and Jess Zafarris share 100 word facts. They met in person for the first time after Words Unravelled reached 100,000 subscribers on YouTube. Prepare for 49 minutes of pure linguistic geekery.
🎥 WATCH THIS EPISODE: https://youtu.be/uPfbuo6iP6Y
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or search for "Words Unravelled" wherever you get your podcasts.
==LINKS==
Rob's YouTube channel: youtube.com/robwords
Jess' Useless Etymology blog: https://uselessetymology.com/
Rob on X: x.com...
2025-10-1549 minWords Unravelled with RobWords and Jess ZafarrisWho was the first to 'spill the beans'? | IDIOM ORIGINSIn this episode, Jess and Rob 'spill the beans' about all manner of food-related idioms.
🍌 Why does 'going bananas' mean going mad?
☕️ Who is the Joe in a 'cup of Joe'?
🍏 What did we compare apples to before oranges?
🧅 What does it really mean to 'know your onions'?
Answers to these questions and many more as we explore the origins of commons sayings in Words Unravelled.
OTHER IDIOM EPISODES
https://youtu.be/Fkf61-j8VmQ?si=3GWneox_uAN1NsXI
https://youtu.be/ca3lz3dXgW8?si=9D_DE4-MiJ9jV5IK
2025-09-1744 minWords Unravelled with RobWords and Jess ZafarrisWhy are we saying 'Caesar' wrong? | TITLES & POWERIn this episode, Rob and Jess take a right royal romp through the etymologies of eminent titles. They discuss the origins of words like "lord", "emperor", "queen" and a whole host of others:
🏛️ How did Caesar become a title all over Europe?
𓁏 What did 'pharaoh' mean to the ancient Egyptians?
👑 What is the etymology of the word 'king'?
🗳️ What is a 'timocracy' or a 'kakistocracy?
These questions answered – and many more – in another Words Unravelled.
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2025-09-1043 minWords Unravelled with RobWords and Jess ZafarrisWhat does 'stegosaurus' literally mean? | DINOSAUR NAMESWe’re digging into prehistoric word origins. In this episode, Jess and Rob unearth the literal meanings behind the names of the dinosaurs.
🦖 What does Tyrannosaurus rex really mean?
🦕 Why is Stegosaurus called the “roof lizard”?
🐦 Are dinosaurs birds or lizards?
🦴 Are dinosaur names Latin or Greek?
These questions answered – and many more – in another monstrous episode of Words Unravelled.
🌐 LINKS 🌐
Charlie the Unicorn: https://youtu.be/CsGYh8AacgY?si=s0AwwpXqwB_1_GhX
Rob's dinosaur video: https://youtu.be/7FOamlJf-28?si=sKbN6Bjw0s7LukG7
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2025-09-0341 minWords Unravelled with RobWords and Jess ZafarrisWhy is England called 'England'? | COUNTRY NAME ORIGINSWe're taking a world tour of word origins. In this episode, Jess and Rob discuss how a multitude of countries got their names.
🇺🇸 Where was the original "America"?
🇬🇧 Why is Britain called "Great"?
🇨🇦 What does "Canada" mean?
🇩🇪 Why do the Germans call themselves "Dutch"?
These questions answered – and many more – in another worldly wise episode of Words Unravelled.
🌐 LINKS 🌐
Rob's UK country names video: https://youtu.be/aXAjMlTO7Dc?si=DpZ8oZlH8h6iVX0O
Rob's European countries video: https://youtu.be/2Pcv2ySMi40?si=4YQMmeUL4FcPBOn7
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2025-08-2742 minWords Unravelled with RobWords and Jess ZafarrisWhy do news anchors talk like that? | JOURNALESEBREAKING: Rob and Jess uncover news clichés and weird journalistic words.
📺 Why do TV news anchors talk in that strange way?
🗞️ Why do newspaper journalists spell lead as "lede"?
🎤 Why do journalists use clichés like "on the rise"?
🐊 What is a "knobbly monster"?
These questions answered – and many more – in another hot-off-the-press episode of Words Unravelled.
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2025-08-2045 minWords Unravelled with RobWords and Jess ZafarrisHow could one man write a dictionary? | SAMUEL JOHNSONSamuel Johnson's 1755 dictionary was one heck of an achievement. But it is also far from perfect. In this episode, Jess and Rob discuss some of the more amusing entries within its pages, and even the words that landed dear Samuel in hot water. Enjoy this cover-to-cover exploration of English's most important dictionary and the extraordinary man who wrote it.
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📘 JESS'S BOOK 📘
Bookshop . org: tinyurl.com/UselessEty
Amazon: tinyurl.com/UselessEtyAZ
B&N: tinyurl.com/UselessEtyBN
WATCH TH...
2025-08-1343 minWords Unravelled with RobWords and Jess ZafarrisWhy do pilots sit in a 'cockpit'? | AVIATION WORDSWelcome aboard flight WU321 bound for Etymology Island. In this episode, Rob and Jess take to the skies and soar through the word origins of a multitude of aviation terms.
✈️ Is it an 'airplane' or an 'aeroplane'?
🐓 Why do pilots sit in a 'cockpit'?
🛩️ Why is English the language of aviation?
🔠 How did the NATO alphabet come to be?
These questions answered – and many more – in a high-flying episode of Words Unravelled charting the etymology of flight.
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Click "join" here: https://www.youtube.com/@wordsunravelled
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2025-08-0647 minWords Unravelled with RobWords and Jess ZafarrisHow did currencies get their names? | MONEY WORDSIn for a penny, in for a pound: Rob and Jess discuss money word origins in this episode of Words Unravelled.
💰 Where did the dollar sign come from?
💷 What is the British currency a pound of?
🤑 Which goddess is all money named after?
These questions answered – and many more – in another financially sound episode of Words Unravelled.
🏆 VOTE FOR US 🏆
The British Podcast Awards listeners' choice award: https://www.britishpodcastawards.com/...
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2025-07-3050 minWords Unravelled with RobWords and Jess ZafarrisDoes English use the wrong word for clouds? | WEATHER WORDSJess and Rob have got their heads in the clouds, exploring the origins of our words for weather.
☄️ Why don't meteorologists deal with meteors?
☁️ How are we using the wrong word for 'cloud'?
☔️ What was the original 'raincheck'?
🤬 Why does Jess hate the word 'petrichor'?
These questions answered, and many more, in this etymological meteorological episode of Words Unravelled.
🌐 LINKS 🌐
Our games video (re: chess): https://youtu.be/vBa8CIltJ24?si=BxcDAYTk7yLYq5ja
Our Christmas video (re: reindeer): https://youtu.be/9A0hAxeFyo4?si=ECL0SFZJUcKUo50L
Rob's video about ugl...
2025-07-2343 minWords Unravelled with RobWords and Jess ZafarrisExposing grammar myths and mistakes with Grammar GirlIs it "on accident" or "by accident"? Should "red, white, and blue" have that second comma? Is "10 items or less" okay? Jess and Rob are joined by the internet's Grammar Girl, Mignon Fogarty, to examine some common grammatical myths and mistakes.
🥳 Is it wrong to use "fun" as an adjective?
🏎️ Is "drive SLOW" bad grammar? (or just a flat adverb?)
🥃 Why does "tonic and gin" sound weird?
These questions answered, as well as many more, on Words Unravelled.
Mignon's podcast: https://www.quickanddirtytips.com/grammar-girl/
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2025-07-1645 minWords Unravelled with RobWords and Jess ZafarrisWhy is English full of French words?Bienvenue dans cet épisode de "Mot Décortiqué"! Rob and Jess are exploring the enormous influence French has had on the English language.
📊What proportion of English words are French?
🥩Why do our meats have French names?
🇫🇷Which words have we borrowed from French twice?
These questions answered and many, many more in another merveilleux, fabuleux Words Unravelled.
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2025-06-2548 minWords Unravelled with RobWords and Jess ZafarrisPrecisely how long is a 'moment'? | TIME WORDSJess and Rob present a brief history of time words in an episode filled with chronological etymology.
⌚️ How did "seconds" get their name?
🕰️ What does "clock" literally mean?
🇫🇷 How did France's decimal calendar work?
These questions answered – and so many more – in this timely episode of Words Unravelled.
Our mythology episode: https://youtu.be/b8s2uxWrMhQ?si=G--tQQwAj9mKHk-S
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2025-06-1841 minWords Unravelled with RobWords and Jess ZafarrisWhat was the original "blockbuster"? | MOVIE WORDSLights, camera, action! Rob and Jess are discussing movie and TV terms in this filmic episode of Words Unravelled.
🎥 Why do Brits call movies "films"?
🤷🏼♂️ Why has Allen Smithee directed so many terrible movies?
🙀 Why is there a "dead cat" on every Hollywood set?
These questions answered, and many more, in this episode crammed with film and television etymology.
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2025-06-1146 minWords Unravelled with RobWords and Jess ZafarrisHow can you tell a bug from a beetle? | ENTOMOLOGY ETYMOLOGYTime for some entomology etymology! Rob and Jess will have you in bits as they explore the literal meaning of "insect" and all manner of other term for creepy crawly.
🕷️ Why do spiders spin "cobwebs"?
🦋 Was a butterfly ever a "flutterby"?
🐞 Which is older, "ladybug" or "ladybird"?
These questions answered, and many more, a critter-crammed episode of Words Unravelled.
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2025-06-0441 minWords Unravelled with RobWords and Jess ZafarrisWhy is the Pope "the daddy"? | HOLY WORDSHoly heck! Rob and Jess are back with an episode of biblical proportions. Join them as they get to the gospel truth about the origins of religious words.
⛪️ What was kept in the very first chapel?
🦛 Which animal was the original behemoth?
🗝️ Where does the word "conclave" come from?
These questions answered – and many more – in another Words Unravelled.
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2025-05-2839 minWords Unravelled with RobWords and Jess ZafarrisWhy do Brits think 'pants' are underwear? | CLOTHING WORDSJess and Rob are unravelling the origins of our words for fabric and clothing in this highly fashionable episode of Words Unravelled.
🩲 Why do 'pants' mean different things in the UK and US?
👖 Which city are your jeans named after?
🪶 What's flappy about a 'flapper girl'?
✈️ Is 'nylon' really named after New York and London?
These questions answered, and many more, in our most unravelly episode of Words Unravelled.
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2025-05-2139 minWords Unravelled with RobWords and Jess ZafarrisWhy is there an N in "passenger"? | TRANSPORTATIONIt's time to hit the road with Rob and Jess as they journey through the origins of words from road and rail.
🚃 Why do Brits say "transport" and Americans "transportation"?
🚊 What's the difference between a train and a locomotive?
🚙 How do you actually pronounce Hyundai?
These questions answered – and many more – in this transport[ation] special of Words Unravelled.
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2025-05-1443 minWords Unravelled with RobWords and Jess ZafarrisWhy were hatters mad? | IDIOM ORIGINSRob and Jess "pull out all the stops" in this episode explaining idiom origins.
✈️ Why do we say "balls to the wall" and "push the envelope"?
🐘 What's so useless about a "white elephant"?
👕 Where were the original "whole nine yards"?
These questions answered and many more in this common sayings special of Words Unravelled.
Here's our other idioms episode: https://pod.fo/e/2a54ba
And the video version of this one: https://youtu.be/ca3lz3dXgW8
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2025-05-0750 minWords Unravelled with RobWords and Jess ZafarrisIs it a restroom or a loo? | UK v. US EnglishLet's explore British English and American English. In another transatlantic war of words, Rob (a Brit) and Jess (an American) debate the differing words for the same things either side of the pond.
For our new Channel Memberships click "Join" just below the video.
Our previous 🇺🇸 vs. 🇬🇧 episode
📺 https://youtu.be/o6KlBd7TPFI?si=EHmBIMV3PatoSQi9
🔊 https://pod.fo/e/240f60
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2025-04-3047 minWords Unravelled with RobWords and Jess ZafarrisDid Shakespeare write all his plays? | THE BARDWe're back for a new 🇬🇧series/🇺🇸season of Words Unravelled. In this episode, transatlantic word nerds Rob and Jess tackle the truth and lies surrounding Williams Shakespeare.
✍️ Did the Bard really invent 1,700 words?
🤬 Which insults did Willy give us?
🎭 Could he actually have written all of those plays?
These questions answered and many more, just As You Like It.
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2025-04-2333 minWords Unravelled with RobWords and Jess ZafarrisHow do you pronounce lieutenant? | MILITARY WORDSThere's fightin' talk in this episode of Words Unravelled, in which Jess and Rob discuss words of warcraft.
🔫 Which woman are all guns named after?
🪖 Where does the word "war" come from?
👮 Is lieutenant pronounced loo-tenant or lef-tenant?
These questions answered – and many more – in this military etymology special of Words Unravelled.
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2025-04-0241 minWords Unravelled with RobWords and Jess ZafarrisWhy do we mind our Ps and Qs? | PRINTING TERMSIn this printing special of Words Unravelled, Jess proves herself a font of knowledge on names for typefaces and Rob makes a bit impression with the history of the printing press.
🆎 What's the difference between a font and a typeface?
😈 Who was the printer's devil?
📖 How did the printing press ruin English spelling?
These questions answered — and many more — in this cliché-free episode of Words Unravelled.
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2025-03-2640 minWords Unravelled with RobWords and Jess ZafarrisWhere the f*** do swear words come from?It's here: the much-requested swearing episode of Words Unravelled. Join Rob and Jess as they explore the origins of all manner of profanity.
#️⃣ Where did the F word come from?
📍 Which place names originally contained swear words?
📺 What are the worst words you can say on TV?
These questions answered, and many more, in this NSFW edition of Words Unravelled.
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WATCH THIS EPISODE
https://youtu.be/NqvT3gVz2aw
2025-03-1950 minWords Unravelled with RobWords and Jess ZafarrisWhich flower makes you wet the bed? | FLOWER NAME ORIGINSWelcome to another bloomin' wonderful episode of Words Unravelled. This time, Rob and Jess are discussing the origins of all manner of flower name.
🌻Which flower makes you wet the bed?
👁️Which flower's name means "day's eye"?
🌹What is the origin of the word rose?
🥒What did Jess name her cucumber plant?
These questions answered - and many more - in this anthology of horticultural etymologies.
🎥 Watch this episode: https://youtu.be/9Z2kjEJAscs
🤬 Merriam-Webster's flowers that sound like insults: https://www.merriam-webster.com/wordplay/plant-names-that-sound-like-insults
2025-03-1244 minWords Unravelled with RobWords and Jess ZafarrisIs this a rhetorical question? | RHETORIC & LITERARY DEVICESWho wants to learn how to talk pretty? In this episode, Rob and Jess explore the clever tricks used by poets, novelists and speechwriters to surprise, move and persuade us. Join them as they discuss rhetoric and literary devices.
😉 What are the three types of irony?
❓Do you now an anaphora from an epistrophe?
🤷🏼♀️ Why is tmesis so un-flippin'-believable?
These questions answered and many more in another Words Unravelled.
WATCH THIS EPISODE: https://youtu.be/sKcuTYOT0yY
2025-03-0539 min
Piano, finallyEpisode 38 - Move OnWelcomeG’day, and welcome to Episode 38 of Piano, Finally! If you’re new here, I hope you enjoy the episode. If you’re a returning listener, thanks for coming back!This week, I’m recording on Saturday instead of Sunday because tomorrow, I’ll be attending my first Sydney Symphony Orchestra concert of the year. The program includes a new work by Australian composer Carl Vine, the Elgar Violin Concerto, and Vaughan Williams’ Symphony No. 3, plus a pre-concert lecture. I’ll share all the details in next week’s episode!YouTube Recomm...
2025-03-0213 minWords Unravelled with RobWords and Jess ZafarrisHow did our naughty bits get their names? | BODY ETYMOLOGYLet's discuss the etymology of the body from "head" to "toe". Join Rob and Jess on an adventure through anatomical word origins.
👅 Why is tongue spelt that way?
🍎 What did we originally call our Adam's apple?
🍆 How did our naughty bits get their names?
These questions answered and many more in a body-positive episode of Words Unravelled.
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WATCH THIS EPISODE: https://youtu.be/c1PM3kbeOYY
2025-02-2645 minWords Unravelled with RobWords and Jess ZafarrisWhat's the difference between a violin and a fiddle? | MUSIC WORDSLet this episode be music to your ears as Rob Watts and Jess Zafarris explore the melodic origins of all manner of musical words.
👦 Which instrument used to be called a "ho boy"?
🎤 What does "karaoke" literally mean?
🎷 Who is the saxophone named after?
🎶 How good is Rob's theremin impression?
These questions answered, and many more in another Words Unravelled.
WATCH THIS EPISODE: https://youtu.be/Kbvsg8ZPstg
2025-02-1929 minWords Unravelled with RobWords and Jess ZafarrisWho invented zero? | MATH & NUMBERSJoin Rob and Jess as they explore the origins of a myriad of mathematical terms and innumerable number words.
💯 What number was the original "hundred"?
♾️ What is the infinity symbol called?
🕚 Why does English have weird words for 11 and 12?
These questions answered - and numerous others - in an incalculably fun episode of Words Unravelled.
WATCH THIS EPISODE: https://youtu.be/ey38pmqPBnM
2025-02-1232 minWords Unravelled with RobWords and Jess ZafarrisWho was the original "goodfella"? | CRIME WORDSRob and Jess are on the wrong side of the law in this criminal episode of Words Unravelled. Join them as they discuss the origins of all manner of words for felony, misdemeanour and malfeasance.
🏴☠️ What is so black about blackmail?
🏚️ What is the "burg" in burglary?
💰 What's the difference between "robbery" and "theft"?
🎩 What Victorian prison slang are we still using today?
Those questions answered and many more in this episode filled with criminal etymology.
WATCH THIS EPISODE: https://youtu.be/KjQABENyZg0
2025-02-0548 minWords Unravelled with RobWords and Jess ZafarrisWho was the first to "paint the town red"? | IDIOM ORIGINSIn this episode, Rob and Jess debunk some myths about the origins of common sayings, and prevent the even more fascinating true stories behind the idioms we use day-to-day.
🔴 Who was the first to "paint the town red"?
🌩️ How can someone's "thunder" be "stolen"?
🐕 What's the (horrible) origin of "to screw the pooch"?
🥃 Where did the phrase "on the wagon" come from?
These questions answered and many more in another Words Unravelled.
WATCH THIS EPISODE: https://youtu.be/Fkf61-j8VmQ
2025-01-2947 minWords Unravelled with RobWords and Jess ZafarrisIs he Santa Claus or Father Christmas? | FESTIVE ETYMOLOGYJoin Rob and Jess for a festive feast of Christmas etymology.
🎅🏼 Is Santa Claus an Americanism?
🎩 Who was Sir Christmas?
🦌 How did the Santa's reindeer get their names?
🎶 Is it "four calling birds" or "four colly birds"?
These questions answered and many more as we deck the halls with linguistic intrigue in another episode of Words Unravelled.
👀WATCH THIS EPISODE 👀 https://youtu.be/9A0hAxeFyo4
2024-12-1838 minWords Unravelled with RobWords and Jess ZafarrisWhat did a "sin-eater" do? | JOB ETYMOLOGYLet's explore our words for jobs, professions and trades.
🪵What did carpenters originally make?
🐐Which animal did butchers originally butcher?
💩Where did a "gong farmer" actually farm?
🛒What is so gross about a grocer?
These questions answered and many more in another Words Unravelled with RobWords and Jess Zafarris.
👀WATCH THIS EPISODE👀 https://youtu.be/L8QXVs2DNFk
2024-12-1147 minWords Unravelled with RobWords and Jess ZafarrisIs it a 'full stop' or a 'period'? | PUNCTUATIONJoin Rob and Jess for a period as they get straight to the point about punctuation.
🏛️ Which punctuation mark came first?
💀 How can you punctuate sarcasm?
❓ Why does a question mark look like that?
These questions answered - and many more - in another punctilious episode of Words Unravelled.
👀WATCH THIS EPISODE👀 https://youtu.be/DLBBiY5w8qM
2024-12-0443 minWords Unravelled with RobWords and Jess ZafarrisIs corporate jargon a synergistic value-add? | JARGONTime to bust some jargon in another Words Unravelled. In this episode, Rob and Jess wade their way through the sea of business speak and legalese.
🦍Which joke created the "800-pound gorilla"
🪶Is all jargon a modern invention?
🏛️What do legal Latin phrases literally mean?
These questions answered and many more in another wordy nerdy episode of Words Unravelled.
🎥 WATCH THIS EPISODE 🎥 https://youtu.be/ZqBYXlunxds
2024-11-2741 minWords Unravelled with RobWords and Jess ZafarrisWho is the Jack in a deck of cards? | GAME WORDSIn this playful episode of Words Unravelled, Rob and Jess dive into the fascinating world of fun and games. Ever wondered why we call it "chess" or how "poker" got its name? From the origins of classic card games to the strategic world of board games, our hosts uncover the surprising stories behind the words we use for play.
♠️ Who is the Jack in a pack of cards?
♟️ What exactly is a pawn?
🌍 How did Jenga get its name?
🅾 What's the best possible Scrabble word?
These questions answered and more! ♖ Whether you’re a chess master or a card s...
2024-11-2043 minWords Unravelled with RobWords and Jess ZafarrisWhich cocktail's name means "moist little thing"? | BOOZY WORDS❗️HEADS UP❗️ This episode includes much alcohol talk 🍻 Rob and Jess are getting a round in at the bar in this episode crammed with boozy etymology. Let's explore the origins of our words for beers, wines and spirits, and delve into the stories behind the names of cocktails.
🍺 Where does the word "beer" come from?
🍹 How did the "negroni" get its name?
🥴 How many words for "drunk" to Brits actually have?
Grab a nip of your favourite liquor, mix yourself a mocktail or pull yourself a pint, and enjoy another episode of Words Unravelled.
👀WATCH THIS...
2024-11-1344 minWords Unravelled with RobWords and Jess ZafarrisHow can "tree" and "truth" be related? | WOODLAND WORDSIn this episode of Words Unravelled, Rob and Jess explore woodland words. Join us to to uncover the extraordinary origins of names for forest flora and fauna.
📕 Which trees are books named after?
🦔 Which animal is the "hedgehog of the sea"?
🦡 What does it actually mean to be "badgered"?
These questions answered, and many more, in another Words Unravelled.
🎥 WATCH THIS EPISODE: https://youtu.be/gUlIcVkWj1I
==LINKS==
Rob's YouTube channel: youtube.com/robwords
Jess' Useless Etymology blog: https://uselessetymology.com/
Rob on X: x.com/robwordsyt
Jess on TikTok: t...
2024-11-0658 minWords Unravelled with RobWords and Jess ZafarrisWhat's the true meaning of 'happiness'? | EMOTION ETYMOLOGY🤔 Where do our emotions come from? In this episode of Words Unravelled, Rob and Jess dive deep into the fascinating origins of the words we use to express how we feel! From the familiar words like "sad," "mad," and "glad," to the more complex emotions of feeling "mortified" or "envious," we explore the linguistic history that shaped these terms and how their meanings evolved over time.
Join us as we uncover the surprising roots and cultural influences that color our emotional vocabulary. Whether you're a language lover, a curious mind, or just along for the linguistic ride, you’re in...
2024-10-3048 minWords Unravelled with RobWords and Jess ZafarrisWhat's the 'were' in werewolf? | SPOOKY ETYMOLOGYIn this episode of Words Unravelled, Rob and Jess dig into the spooky origins of Halloween words. From 'ghosts' and 'ghouls' to 'warlocks' and 'witches', they uncover the hauntingly fascinating roots of supernatural lingo.
🐺 What is the 'were' in werewolf?
🧌 Why is there a 'monster' in 'demonstrate'?
🦇 What does 'vampire' literally mean?
These creepy questions answered and many more. Join us... if you dare 👻
🎥 WATCH THIS EPISODE: https://youtu.be/hZK6kCAmwEQ
📙 JESS'S BOOK 'WORDS FROM HELL': https://linktr.ee/JessZafarris
==LINKS==
Rob's YouTube channel: youtube.com/robwords
Jess' Useless Etymology b...
2024-10-2350 minWords Unravelled with RobWords and Jess ZafarrisWhy does oxygen have the wrong name? | ELEMENTSIn this episode of Words Unravelled, Rob and Jess explore the fascinating stories behind the names of the elements of the periodic table. From gods and mythological creatures to places and famous scientists, discover how history, language, and culture have shaped the names we use in chemistry today.
💨Why does oxygen have the wrong name?
🧌Which element is named after a mischievous mythological figure?
🇸🇪Why has a small Swedish village inspired four element names?
Tune in for an educational yet fun journey through the periodic table, and don’t forget to subscribe for more wordy wonders...
2024-09-1846 minWords Unravelled with RobWords and Jess ZafarrisWhat does antidisestablishmentarianism mean? | LONG WORDSIn this pulchritudinous episode of Words Unravelled, Rob and Jess discuss the longest words in English and beyond: from antidisestablishmentarianism to opadotemachoselachogaleokranioleipsanodrimhypotrimmatosilphiokarabomelitokatakechymenokichlepikossyphophattoperisteralektryonoptekephalliokigklopeleiolagoiosiraiobaphetraganopterygon.
❓What does floccinaucinihilipilification mean?
⛈️What sound does Bababadalgharaghtakamminarronnkonnbronntonnerronntuonnthunntrovarrhounawnskawntoohoohoordenenthurnuk represent?
😱Hippopotomonstrosesquippedaliophobia is the fear of what?
These questions answered and many more in another Words Unravelled.
▶️ WATCH THIS EPISODE: https://youtu.be/Sb-o50C0vXE
👕 ROB'S MERCH: https://robwords.myspreadshop.com/
🎥 JESS'S TIKTOK: https://tiktok.com/@jesszafarris
2024-09-1139 minWords Unravelled with RobWords and Jess ZafarrisWhy are you such a nincompoop? | INSULTSIn this episode, Jess and Rob sling some mud as they explore the etymology of insults.
🐳 Does "dork" mean what people say it means?
🤬 Which was Shakespeare's rudest character?
🍆 What exactly is a "plonker"?
These dastardly questions answered - and many more - in another Words Unravelled!
🎥WATCH THIS EPISODE: https://youtu.be/60VKgSd3wM0
📕JESS'S BOOK: https://tr.ee/Ghw8DYkqBh
👕 ROB'S MERCH: https://robwords.myspreadshop.com/
==LINKS==
Rob's YouTube channel: youtube.com/robwords
Jess' Useless Etymology blog: https://uselessetymology.com/
Rob on X: x.com/robwordsyt
Jes...
2024-09-0435 min
Total Christmas PodcastEpisode 115 - Christmas TurkeyHello you beautiful people.For many years I've thought Scrooge's gift to the Cratchitt family of a huge turkey was ridiculous. How on earth would they cook it in time for their Christmas dinner?Well greater minds than mine have looked into it and thanks to their brains and research we look at it the feasibility of such a large turkey.Here's a link to the full article:https://infinitequestpodcast.com/extras/f/how-big-was-the-prize-turkey-in-a-christmas-carolKeeping on the subject of Turkey's, this episode's Christmas Not So Classic is Ho Ho Ho (Who'd be a...
2024-09-0147 minWords Unravelled with RobWords and Jess ZafarrisDo geese see god? | PALINDROMESIn this episode, Rob and Jess dive headfirst into the topsy-turvy world of palindromes: words, phrases, and numbers that read the same backward and forward. From the humble "wow" to a mind-boggling 1,300-word monster, we've got the subject covered from top to bottom (and back to front).
🔁 What's the longest known palindrome?
🔁 What's the oldest we've ever found?
🔁 Who were the winners at this year's palindrom awards (The Symmsys)?
These questions answered and more in another Words Unravelled.
🎥 WATCH THIS EPISODE: https://youtu.be/b0yMF00Pcew
📚Anthony Etherin's poems: https://x.com/A...
2024-08-2828 minWords Unravelled with RobWords and Jess ZafarrisWhy is the word "dog" such a mystery? | ANIMAL WORDSTake a walk on the wild side with Rob and Jess as they explore animal etymologies.
🐻Why were we too scared to give bears a proper name?
🐶Why don't we know where the word "dog" came from?
👻Which animal is the "ghost" of the jungle?
These questions answered - and many more - in another Words Unravelled.
THANKS to Martyn Williams for editing this episode.
🎥 WATCH THIS EPISODE: https://youtu.be/_iAT5Z5cwJY
==LINKS==
Rob's YouTube channel: youtube.com/robwords
Jess' Useless Etymology blog: https://uselessetymology.com/
Rob on X...
2024-08-2147 minWords Unravelled with RobWords and Jess ZafarrisWhat mystery did the original "clue" solve? | MYTHOLOGY WORDSIn this episode of Words Unravelled, hosts Rob and Jess dive into the fascinating world of etymology, uncovering the surprising origins of everyday words rooted in ancient mythology.
🔍 Where did the first "clue" lead?
⚡ Which god literally inspires "panic"?
🎭 And what is the tragic tale behind "echo"?
From the tales of Greek gods to Norse legends, discover how these mythical stories have shaped the language we use today. Don't forget to like, subscribe, and hit the bell icon to unravel more word mysteries with us every week! #Etymology #Mythology #WordsUnravelled
👂WATCH THIS EPISODE: ht...
2024-08-1430 minWords Unravelled with RobWords and Jess ZafarrisCan a word be its own opposite? | CONTRONYMSHow can "cleave" mean both to separate AND to join together? Find out in this episode about contronyms and all manner of other -onyms! Jess and Rob delve into demonyms, retronyms, allonyms, eponyms, aptonyms and caconyms. They explain what they are and why on earth they all exist.
🇬🇧 Why are some Londoners also called Cockneys?
🧔🏼♂️ Are sideburns really named after a man called Burnside?
🍔 Why did Robin Mahfood have the worst possible job?
These questions answered and many more in another Words Unravelled!
🎥 WATCH THIS EPISODE: https://youtu.be/Lwj_xBTNJ4I
👕ROB'S MERCH: h...
2024-08-0748 minWords Unravelled with RobWords and Jess ZafarrisDo "vegetables" technically exist? | FOOD WORDSIn this episode of Words Unravelled, Rob and Jess explore the delicious origins of our words for foods. They delve into the etymology of "dinner", "lunch" and all manner of mealtime, and ask whether "vegetables" technically even exist. As usual, there are one or two saucy stories to be told too (wait 'til you hear what "vanilla" actually means...).
🎥 WATCH THIS EPISODE: https://youtu.be/cpbX99gYP4M
==LINKS==
Rob's YouTube channel: youtube.com/robwords
Jess' Useless Etymology blog: https://uselessetymology.com/
Rob on X: x.com/robwordsyt
Jess on TikTok: tiktok.com...
2024-07-3136 minWords Unravelled with RobWords and Jess ZafarrisWhat exactly is a "petard" anyway? | FOSSIL WORDSDiscover the fascinating world of "fossil words" with Rob and Jess on Words Unravelled! 🌍📚 In this episode, our hosts delve into the history and evolution of words that have stood the test of time but are no longer in common use.
❓What is a "petard" and how can you be "hoist" by yours?
❓What does the shrift in "give short shrift" mean?
❓Who were the first people to "run amok"?
Learn about their origins, meanings, and the intriguing stories behind these linguistic relics.
🎥WATCH THIS EPISODE: https://youtu.be/HEk4hJZfo6Q
==LINKS==
Rob...
2024-07-2432 minWords Unravelled with RobWords and Jess ZafarrisHave you ever had the mulligrubs? | LOST WORDSIn this edition of Words Unravelled, Rob and Jess resurrect some long lost words. We promise not to leave you gremed, overmirthed, nor cursed with the mulligrubs as we explore a hubble-shubble of archaic and obsolete vocabulary from centuries past.
🎥 WATCH EPISODE: https://youtu.be/_tW9pfCqIgY
==LINKS==
Rob's YouTube channel: youtube.com/robwords
Jess' Useless Etymology blog: https://uselessetymology.com/
Rob on X: x.com/robwordsyt
Jess on TikTok: tiktok.com/@jesszafarris
2024-07-1738 min
The Long Thread PodcastJess Zafarris, Author & EtymologistIf you knit, spin, sew, weave, or follow any crafty pursuit, you will not be surprised that many of our most common metaphors come from textiles. They are interwoven in our vocabulary, and whether you like to spin a yarn from words or fibers, you will recognize many of them.
But then there are the words whose textile roots are less obvious: Rocket. Bombastic. And we’ve forgotten the regional roots of some kinds of fabric, where the skill and creativity refined in a particular place produced an exceptional kind of cloth. You might know what fiber co...
2024-06-1539 minWords Unravelled with RobWords and Jess ZafarrisHow did the planets get their names? | SPACE WORDSThis episode of Words Unravelled is out of this world! Blast off with Rob and Jess as they explore the cosmic origins of space terms. 🌌 Where did the planets get their names? And how do you actually pronounce Uranus? What’s the difference between a meteor, a comet and an asteroid? And what’s so milky about the Milky Way? 🌠 From constellations that twinkle with mythology to the everyday words than fell to us from space, let’s dive deep into the linguistic black hole! 🚀
WATCH THIS EPISODE: https://youtu.be/NO7mNlZhEiM
2024-06-1236 minWords Unravelled with RobWords and Jess ZafarrisDid the Greeks have a word for blue? COLOR WORDSChase the blues away and be tickled pink by another episode of Words Unravelled. In this edition Rob and Jess explore the origins of a whole spectrum of color words (or as Rob calls them, "colour words").
🌸Does pink really exist?
💙Did the Greeks have no word for blue?
⚫️Can black actually mean white?
🐘Which spelling of grey/gray is correct?
These questions answered and many more in Words Unravelled 🌈
Watch this episode here: https://youtu.be/DKCsWcnzWVU
2024-06-0533 minWords Unravelled with RobWords and Jess ZafarrisAmerican vs. British English: A transatlantic war of wordsFor centuries, British English and American English have been locked in a battle for supremacy. In this edition of Words Unravelled, Rob and Jess expose the linguistic differences either side of 'the pond' and try to understand why they exist.
Watch this episode here: https://youtu.be/o6KlBd7TPFI
2024-05-2936 minWords Unravelled with RobWords and Jess ZafarrisWas an orange ever a "norange"? | WORD MASH-UPSHello and welcome (or should that be hellcome?) to another Words Unravelled. In this episode, Rob and Jess discuss word mash-ups.
- 🍊Was an orange ever a norange?
- 🍔 Why do cheeseburgers make no sense?
- ❓Is it okay to "aks" instead of "ask"?
These questions answered and many more as we explore portmanteaus, rebracketing and metathesis.
WATCH this episode here: https://youtu.be/L3Qepv4F5Yc
2024-05-2236 minWords Unravelled with RobWords and Jess ZafarrisWhat's poopy about a poop deck? | NAUTICAL ETYMOLOGYWelcome, me hearties, to another episode of Words Unravelled. In this edition, Rob and Jess discuss nautical terms and pirate slang.
💩 What's so poopy about a poop deck?
🏴☠️ What does it mean to "shiver" someone's timbers?
⚓️ Which English idioms come from the high seas?
Find out in Words Unravelled!
Watch this episode here: https://youtu.be/QPcOx29fVPA
2024-05-1533 minWords Unravelled with RobWords and Jess ZafarrisCan you be gormful, wistless or ert? | UNPAIRED WORDSJoin word nerds Jess and Rob as they uncover English's lost positives and orphaned negatives. Why can you be "nonchalant" but not "chalant"? If something perfect is "immaculate", what does it mean to be "maculate"? And if you're no longer "exasperated" are you therefore "asperated"? Find out in this edition of Words Unravelled.
Watch this episode here: https://youtu.be/6EnIqXnW5Kw
2024-05-0826 minWords Unravelled with RobWords and Jess ZafarrisWhy is it a "murder" of crows? | COLLECTIVE NOUNSJoin Jess and Rob to collectively explore the weird world of collective nouns.
Watch this episode here: https://youtu.be/K2MaE9tn1rk
Read the Book of St Albans here: https://www.google.co.uk/books/edition/The_Boke_of_Saint_Albans/855KAQAAMAAJ?hl=en&gbpv=1&pg=PP130&printsec=frontcover&dq=sleuth
2024-05-0129 minWords Unravelled with RobWords and Jess ZafarrisIs "posh" really an acronym? | WORD MYTHSJess Zafarris and Rob Watts (aka RobWords) bust some etymology myths:
💰 Does "tip" mean To Insure Promptness?
🤬 Is the F word an acronym?
🦋 Was a butterfly ever a "flutterby"?
Find out in Words Unravelled.
WATCH THIS EPISODE: https://youtu.be/FcP3Orn_rjs
2024-04-2436 minWords Unravelled with RobWords and Jess ZafarrisAre you getting these wrong too? | EGGCORNSJoin word nerds Jess Zafarris and Rob Watts (aka RobWords) as they discuss the amusing mis-heard phrases known as "eggcorns".
Watch this episode on YouTube here: https://youtu.be/Sucad437VDA
Find us on X: Jess Rob
2024-04-1730 minWords Unravelled with RobWords and Jess ZafarrisWhy do we say "hello"? | GREETINGSWord nerds RobWords and Jess Zafarris welcome you to the first ever edition of Words Unravelled with an episode all about greetings:
👋Where does the word "hello" come from?
🇮🇹What's the surprising original meaning of "Ciao!"?
🇹🇭Why did Thailand officially change its national greeting?
🇫🇷What are the yucky origins of Ça va in French?
These questions answered, and many more, in the first episode of Words Unravelled.
Watch this episode here: https://youtu.be/ThxUBOUnRLM
2024-04-1029 minWords Unravelled with RobWords and Jess ZafarrisIntroducing Words Unravelled with RobWords and Jess ZafarrisIntroducing Words Unravelled: a podcast by two of the internet's biggest word nerds. In each episode Rob Watts (aka RobWords) and Jess Zafarris unravel the stories behind everyday terms.
2024-03-2501 min