{"_":"Jess Zafarris and Rob Watts unravel the stories behind everyday words. \n \nWant to watch our episodes too? Subscribe to our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC8R3ZnESMdsuTevq4ib9CvA\r\n\n","$":{"audioboom:html":"1"}}
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Let's explore the mysteries of our weird alphabet. Rob and Jess are joined by Danny Bate, author of Why Q Needs U, to discuss where our letters came from and why they make the noises they make. ๐ ฐ๏ธ How was A originally an ox? ๐ Why does Q always appear with U? ๐ฆ Is it ZEE or ZED? These questions answered and so many more in an alphabetically astounding episode of Words Unravelled. ๐ Buy Danny's book, WHY Q NEEDS U: https://geni.us/WhyQNeedsU ๐ OUR MERCH ๐ US SHOP: https://wordsunravelledsho...
Rob and Jess are guffawing their way through a world of comedic words. ๐ญ What does 'comedy' literally mean? ๐คก Who should you hit with a 'slapstick'? ๐ฅ What was a spoof? (It's not a type of spoon) These questions answered, and many many more, in this hilarious edition of Words Unravelled. ๐ WATCH THIS EPISODE: https://youtu.be/56YLffYfQ7M ๐ OUR MERCH ๐ US SHOP: https://wordsunravelledshop.myspreadshop.com/ EU/UK SHOP: https://wordsunravelledshop.myspreadshop.net/...
Rob and Jess are exploring the Arabic words hiding in English. ๐ Who was the original โalgorithmโ named after? ๐ฅท How did โassassinsโ get their name? ๐ข Why does English use Arabic numerals? These questions answered, and many more, in another Words Unravelled. ๐ OUR MERCH ๐ US SHOP: https://wordsunravelledshop.myspreadshop.com/ EU/UK SHOP: https://wordsunravelledshop.myspreadshop.net/ WATCH THIS EPISODE: https://youtu.be/7vwN3aiiBM4...
This episode is all in the mind, as Rob and Jess explore the origins of psychological terms. ๐ What did Oedipus doe to his mother? ๐๏ธ What did Sigmund Freud actually believe? ๐ณ What is "catagelaphobia"? ๐ฅผ Why has "therapy speak" become such a problem? These questions answered, and many more, in this psychoanalytical edition of Words Unravelled that is sure to make you think. ๐ WATCH THIS EPISODE: https://youtu.be/JpkXFBDVyxc ๐ OUR MERCH ๐ US SHOP: https://wordsunravelledshop.myspreadshop....
Rob and Jess are touring the world and translating the names of popular foods. ๐ What does "chow mein" mean? ๐ Which pasta is "little tongues"? ๐ญ What is a Frankfurter called in Frankfurt? These curious culinary questions answered, and many more, in another deliciously nerdy episode of Words Unravelled. ๐ OUR MERCH ๐ US SHOP: https://wordsunravelledshop.myspreadshop.com/ EU/UK SHOP: https://wordsunravelledshop.myspreadshop.net/ WATCH THIS EPISODE: https://youtu.be/2Jvlji9GlOw...
Rob and Jess explore the origins of common sayings in another episode dedicated to the stories behind idioms. ๐ What was the first "red herring"? ๐ชฟ Is there a goose in a "wild goose chase"? ๐ฎ Why is prison called "up the river"? Find the answers to these questions and many more in another wordy nerdy episode of Words Unravelled. WATCH THIS EPISODE: https://youtu.be/tRR-DHzD7mw ๐ OUR MERCH ๐ US SHOP: https://wordsunravelledshop.myspreadshop.com/ EU/UK SHOP: https://wordsunravelledshop.myspre...
What's in a names? Jess and Rob are exploring why major cities are called what they're called and what their names literally mean. ๐ฉ๐ช Why does BERLIN mean 'swamp'? ๐ฏ๐ต Why are KYOTO and TOKYO anagrams? ๐ฟ๐ฆ Who is the Johannes of Johannesburg? These questions answered, and many more, in a globe-trotting episode of Words Unravelled. ๐ OUR MERCH ๐ US SHOP: https://wordsunravelledshop.myspreadshop.com/ EU/UK SHOP: https://wordsunravelledshop.myspreadshop.net/ ๐ WATCH THIS EPISODE https://yout...
Rob and Jess are engaged in another transatlantic war of words, pitting their British and American accents against one another. ๐ฝ๏ธ Why do Brits eat their entrees first? ๐ฐ๐ฝ Why do Americans pronounce "merry", "marry" and "Mary" the same? ๐ฟ Why can't we agree on whether to "have" or "take" a shower? These questions answered, and many more, in another Words Unravelled. Evan Edinger: https://www.youtube.com/evan Lost in the Pond: https://www.youtube.com/lostinthepond ๐ OUR MERCH ๐ US SHOP: htt...
Rob and Jess are joined by the brilliant John McWhorter to discuss words you're not allowed to use. Professor McWhorter has written extensively about taboos, slurs and profanities and brings his unparalleled expertise on the English language. ๐คฌ Is "the R word" becoming even more taboo? ๐ค Are we "unaliving" our way to a new era of self-censorship? ๐ Can a slur ever be truly "reclaimed"? These questions answered, and many more, in a fascinatingly frank episode of Words Unravelled. More about Jo...
What does IKEA mean? What language is Hรคagen-Dasz? Who came up with the name Adidas? Why is Danone spelled Dannon in the US? These questions answered, and many more, as Jess and Rob explore the origins of brand names. Enjoy some more trademark word nerdery in this episode of Words Unravelled exploring Coca-Cola, Pepsi, Lego, Shell, ExxonMobil, Aldi and other famous product names. ๐ OUR MERCH ๐ US SHOP: https://wordsunravelledshop.myspreadshop.com/ EU/UK SHOP: https://wordsunravelledshop.myspre...
Jess and Rob are digging into the origins of the words behind some of historyโs biggest ideas โ from stoicism and cynicism to logic, ethics, and metaphysics. Along the way, they trace how ancient Greek schools of thought shaped the language we still use to argue, reason, and disagree today. Enjoy this particularly pensive episode of Words Unravelled. ๐ OUR MERCH ๐ US SHOP: https://wordsunravelledshop.myspreadshop.com/ EU/UK SHOP: https://wordsunravelledshop.myspreadshop.net/ ๐ WATCH THIS EPIS...
Jess and Rob are discussing "the shaking of the sheets". Join them to explore the origins of words for 'doing it' and a host of historic terms for firkytoodling, quiffing and dancing Moll Peatley's Jig. Welcome to a very sex episode of Words Unravelled. ๐ OUR MERCH ๐ US SHOP: https://wordsunravelledshop.myspreadshop.com/ EU/UK SHOP: https://wordsunravelledshop.myspreadshop.net/ WATCH THIS EPISODE: https://youtu.be/3bvK3bz_AlY...
Why doesn't English have a word for someone who is alive? Or a general term for your aunties and uncles? Should we bring back the word 'uhtceare' from Old English or steal 'Torschlusspanik' from German? Rob and Jess answer these questions and more as they investigate the words that English has forgotten to invent. Join them to explore silly sniglets, outrageous orphaned negatives and untranslatable terms in another nerdy episode of Words Unravelled. ๐ OUR MERCH ๐ US SHOP: https://wordsunravell...
Is necessity the mother of invention? NO! Latin is, etymologically speaking. That's just one of many revelations as Jess and Rob investigates words for innovations. ๐ Could you 'escalate' something before the escalator? ๐ When was sliced bread actually invented? ๐ฉน What connects zippers, band aids and aspirin? These questions answered โ and many more โ in another inventive episode of Words Unravelled. ๐ OUR MERCH ๐ US SHOP: https://wordsunravelledshop.myspreadshop.com/ EU/UK SHOP: https://wo...
Rob and Jess are touring the US and the UK in search of the most interesting city name origin stories. ๐จ Does 'Chicago' have anything to do with wind? ๐ฝ Is New York actually named after York? ๐ Does anyone know what 'London' means? ๐น And what was Nottingham's hilarious old name? Find out as we climb aboard the etymological city-hopper in another wordy, nerdy Words Unravelled. ๐ OUR MERCH ๐ US SHOP: https://wordsunravelledshop.myspreadshop.com/ EU/UK SHOP: https://wordsunravelledshop.myspre...
Rob and Jess are going deep undercover to unearth the origins of words from the word of espionage. ๐ต๏ธโโ๏ธ What's the difference between a SPY, and ASSET, and an AGENT? ๐ What does ESPIONAGE literally mean? ๐ฌ๐ง Was there ever an MI4 as well MI5 and MI6? These questions answered โ and many more โ in a supremely secretive episode of Words Unravelled. ๐ฅ Dr Geoff Lindsey's COVERT vid: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NeHRN6GlNOs ๐ OUR MERCH ๐ US SHOP: https://wordsunravelledshop.myspreadshop.com/...
Rob and Jess are talking tech! In this episode, they explore the linguistic origins of terms from technology, Sci-fi and the internet. ๐ง Who was the first internet troll? ๐ค What does 'robot' literally mean? ๐ซ Does Jedi actually mean something? โจ๏ธ Are we pronouncing 'meme' correctly? These questions answered, and a whole lot more, in an extra nerdy episode of Words Unravelled. ๐จROBWORDS LIVE๐จ Ticket: https://www.ucl.ac.uk/bloomsbury-theatre/events/2026/apr/evening-etymology-rob-words ๐ OUR ...
Rob and Jess are taking a surgical look at words from the world of medicine. ๐ What is the Nocebo Effect? ๐ฉบ Are doctors named after leeches (or the other way round)? ๐ What does "ambulance" literally mean? These questions answered, and many more, in another wordy nerdy episode of Words Unravelled. ๐ OUR MERCH ๐ US SHOP: https://wordsunravelledshop.myspreadshop.com/ EU/UK SHOP: https://wordsunravelledshop.myspreadshop.net/ ๐ WATCH THIS EPISODE: https://youtu.be/KVFMuOBPjNs...
Jess and Rob are exploring the etymological origins of mythical beasts and cryptids. ๐บ What does "Chupacabra" mean? ๐ฆ Why are we getting the name "Kraken" wrong? ๐ What animal was the original "dragon"? These questions answered โ and many more besides โ in another Words Unravelled. ๐ OUR MERCH ๐ US SHOP: https://wordsunravelledshop.myspreadshop.com/ EU/UK SHOP: https://wordsunravelledshop.myspreadshop.net/ ๐ WATCH THIS EPISODE: https://youtu.be/hcVF8b2w6n4...
In this episode, Rob and Jess explore the stories behind a host of common sayings. ๐ช Does anyone actually 'bury the hatchet'? ๐ Was there ever a 'devil's advocate'? ๐ซ What is a 'son of a gun'? ๐ชถ Why would you have a 'feather in your cap'? These questions answered โ and many more โ in another idioms episode of Words Unravelled. ๐ OUR MERCH ๐ US SHOP: https://wordsunravelledshop.myspreadshop.com/ EU/UK SHOP: https://wordsunravelledshop.myspreadshop.net/ WATCH THIS EPISODE: https://youtu.be/d...
This 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. ๐ OUR MERCH ๐ US SHOP: ht...
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. ๐ OUR MERCH ๏ฟฝ...
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/ ๐ OUR MERCH ๐ US SHOP: https://wordsunravelledshop.myspreadshop.com/ EU/UK SHOP: https://...
In this episode, Jess and Rob get sporty as they trace the origins of the words behind our favourite games. โพ๏ธ What is the word "sport" short for? ๐ Why does American "football" barely involve your feet? ๐ 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. ๐ OUR MERCH ๐ US SHOP: https://wordsunravelledshop.myspreadshop.com/ EU/UK SHOP: https://wordsunravelledshop.myspr...
Explore the fascinating origins of first names, from their Anglo-Saxon and biblical roots to the influence of saints, royalty, and pop culture. This episode unravels how names like Robert, William, James, and Mary have evolved across languages, revealing surprising connections and meanings. Discover the impact of trends, such as the 100-year rule in baby naming, and delve into the prevalence of theophoric and saint-derived names, providing an etymological journey through why we're called what we're called.
In this episode, Rob and Jess dig into the origins of the words we use for our furry, feathered, and occasionally scaly companions. ๐ Where does the word 'dog' come from? ๐ What does 'cat' literally mean? ๐น 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 ๐ OUR MERCH ๐ US SHOP: https://wordsunravelledshop.myspreadshop.com/ EU/UK SHOP: https://wordsunr...
From mountain high to valley low, Rob Watts and Jess Zafarris are exploring the origins of geography words. ๐ปโโ๏ธ Why are the poles called 'poles'? ๐ป What is the difference between a hill and a mountain? ๐งญ What do the points of the compass literally mean? These questions answered โ and many more โ in another worldly, wordy and nerdy episode of Words Unravelled. ๐ฅ WATCH THIS EPISODE: https://youtu.be/0TTPpHUVL3Y ๐ OUR MERCH ๐ US SHOP: https://wordsunravelledshop.myspreadshop.com/ EU/UK SHOP:...
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. ๐ฅ WATCH THIS EPISODE: https://youtu.be/uPfbuo6iP6Y ๐ OUR MERCH ๐ US SHOP: https://wordsunravelledshop.myspreadshop.com/ EU/UK SHOP: https://wordsunravelledshop.myspreadshop.net/ ๐LISTEN: https://podfollow.com/words-unravelled-with-robwords-and-jess-zafarris or search for "Wo...
In this episode, Jess and Rob 'spill the beans' about all manner of food-related idioms. ๐ Why does 'going bananas' mean going mad? โ๏ธ Who is the Joe in a 'cup of Joe'? ๐ What did we compare apples to before oranges? ๐ง 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 ๐ O...
In 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: ๐๏ธ How did Caesar become a title all over Europe? ๐ What did 'pharaoh' mean to the ancient Egyptians? ๐ What is the etymology of the word 'king'? ๐ณ๏ธ What is a 'timocracy' or a 'kakistocracy? These questions answered โ and many more โ in another Words Unravelled. ๐ OUR MERCH ๐ US SHOP: https://wordsunra...
