Words Unravelled with RobWords and Jess Zafarris

How did our naughty bits get their names? | BODY ETYMOLOGY Feb 26, 2025

Let'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.
👕 OUR NEW MERCH 👚
US SHOP: https://wordsunravelledshop.myspreadshop.com/
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WATCH THIS EPISODE: https://youtu.be/c1PM3kbeOYY

What's the difference between a violin and a fiddle? | MUSIC WORDS Feb 19, 2025

Let 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

Who invented zero? | MATH & NUMBERS Feb 12, 2025

Join 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

Who was the original "goodfella"? | CRIME WORDS Feb 05, 2025

Rob 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

Who was the first to "paint the town red"? | IDIOM ORIGINS Jan 29, 2025

In 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

Is he Santa Claus or Father Christmas? | FESTIVE ETYMOLOGY Dec 18, 2024

Join 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

What did a "sin-eater" do? | JOB ETYMOLOGY Dec 11, 2024

Let'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

Is it a 'full stop' or a 'period'? | PUNCTUATION Dec 04, 2024

Join 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

Is corporate jargon a synergistic value-add? | JARGON Nov 27, 2024

Time 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

Who is the Jack in a deck of cards? | GAME WORDS Nov 20, 2024

In 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 shark, this episode is your backstage pass to the etymology of entertainment.
🎥WATCH THIS EPISODE🎥 https://youtu.be/vBa8CIltJ24
==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
#etymology #wordorigins #chess

Which cocktail's name means "moist little thing"? | BOOZY WORDS Nov 13, 2024

❗️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 EPISODE👀 https://youtu.be/b5O7JqRT7u8

How can "tree" and "truth" be related? | WOODLAND WORDS Nov 06, 2024

In 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: tiktok.com/@jesszafarris
#etymology #wordfacts #English

What's the true meaning of 'happiness'? | EMOTION ETYMOLOGY Oct 30, 2024

🤔 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 for an engaging journey through the language of emotion.
🎥WATCH THIS EPISODE: https://youtu.be/9xorsfTRRHM
#WordsUnravelled #etymology #wordfacts
==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
#etymology #wordfacts #English

What's the 'were' in werewolf? | SPOOKY ETYMOLOGY Oct 23, 2024

In 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 blog: https://uselessetymology.com/
Rob on X: x.com/robwordsyt
Jess on TikTok: tiktok.com/@jesszafarris

Why does oxygen have the wrong name? | ELEMENTS Sep 18, 2024

In 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 with Words Unravelled!
🎥WATCH THIS EPISODE: https://youtu.be/EOfP8sTYJwo
==LINKS==
Rob's YouTube channel: https://youtube.com/robwords
Jess' Useless Etymology blog: https://uselessetymology.com/
Rob on X: x.com/robwordsyt
Jess on TikTok: tiktok.com/@jesszafarris

What does antidisestablishmentarianism mean? | LONG WORDS Sep 11, 2024

In 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
==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
#etymology #antidisestablishmentarianism #WordsUnravelled

Why are you such a nincompoop? | INSULTS Sep 04, 2024

In 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
Jess on TikTok: tiktok.com/@jesszafarris
#etymology #wordfacts #Insults

Do geese see god? | PALINDROMES Aug 28, 2024

In 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/Anthony_Etherin
📹 Write Words Make Magic ambigrams: https://www.youtube.com/@WriteWordsMakeMagic/videos
🏆 The Symmys 2024: https://tcampbell.substack.com/p/symmys-2024
==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
#etymology #palindromes #wordsunravelled

Why is the word "dog" such a mystery? | ANIMAL WORDS Aug 21, 2024

Take 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: x.com/robwordsyt
Jess on TikTok: tiktok.com/@jesszafarris

What mystery did the original "clue" solve? | MYTHOLOGY WORDS Aug 14, 2024

In 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: https://youtu.be/b8s2uxWrMhQ
📕JESS'S BOOK: https://tr.ee/UlxtrBzwht
☕️ 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
Jess on TikTok: tiktok.com/@jesszafarris

Can a word be its own opposite? | CONTRONYMS Aug 07, 2024

How 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: https://robwords.com/shop
==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
#etymology #contronyms #demonyms

Do "vegetables" technically exist? | FOOD WORDS Jul 31, 2024

In 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/@jesszafarris

What exactly is a "petard" anyway? | FOSSIL WORDS Jul 24, 2024

Discover 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'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
#etymology #fossilwords #wordfacts

Have you ever had the mulligrubs? | LOST WORDS Jul 17, 2024

In 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

How did the planets get their names? | SPACE WORDS Jun 12, 2024

This 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

Did the Greeks have a word for blue? COLOR WORDS Jun 05, 2024

Chase 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

American vs. British English: A transatlantic war of words May 29, 2024

For 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

Was an orange ever a "norange"? | WORD MASH-UPS May 22, 2024

Hello 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

What's poopy about a poop deck? | NAUTICAL ETYMOLOGY May 15, 2024

Welcome, 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

Can you be gormful, wistless or ert? | UNPAIRED WORDS May 08, 2024

Join 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

Why is it a "murder" of crows? | COLLECTIVE NOUNS May 01, 2024

Join 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

Is "posh" really an acronym? | WORD MYTHS Apr 24, 2024

Jess 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

Are you getting these wrong too? | EGGCORNS Apr 17, 2024

Join 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

Why do we say "hello"? | GREETINGS Apr 10, 2024

Word 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

Introducing Words Unravelled with RobWords and Jess Zafarris Mar 25, 2024

Introducing 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.

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