Words Unravelled with RobWords and Jess Zafarris

Jess Zafarris and Rob Watts unravel the stories behind everyday words. Want to watch our episodes too? Subscribe to our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC8R3ZnESMdsuTevq4ib9CvA

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Top 10 Words Unravelled with RobWords and Jess Zafarris Episodes

Goodpods has curated a list of the 10 best Words Unravelled with RobWords and Jess Zafarris episodes, ranked by the number of listens and likes each episode have garnered from our listeners. If you are listening to Words Unravelled with RobWords and Jess Zafarris for the first time, there's no better place to start than with one of these standout episodes. If you are a fan of the show, vote for your favorite Words Unravelled with RobWords and Jess Zafarris episode by adding your comments to the episode page.

How did our naughty bits get their names? | BODY ETYMOLOGY

Words Unravelled with RobWords and Jess Zafarris

02/26/25 • 45 min

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/
EU/UK SHOP: https://wordsunravelledshop.myspreadshop.net/
WATCH THIS EPISODE: https://youtu.be/c1PM3kbeOYY

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Why is the word "dog" such a mystery? | ANIMAL WORDS

Words Unravelled with RobWords and Jess Zafarris

08/21/24 • 47 min

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

1 Listener

Why do we mind our Ps and Qs? | PRINTING TERMS

Words Unravelled with RobWords and Jess Zafarris

03/26/25 • 40 min

In 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.
👕 OUR MERCH 👚
🇺🇸 US SHOP: https://wordsunravelledshop.myspreadshop.com/
🇬🇧 EU/UK SHOP: https://wordsunravelledshop.myspreadshop.net/
👂WATCH THIS EPISODE: https://youtu.be/cd5iFbuNKv8

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Who was the original "goodfella"? | CRIME WORDS

Words Unravelled with RobWords and Jess Zafarris

02/05/25 • 48 min

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

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What's the 'were' in werewolf? | SPOOKY ETYMOLOGY

Words Unravelled with RobWords and Jess Zafarris

10/23/24 • 50 min

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

Who invented zero? | MATH & NUMBERS

Words Unravelled with RobWords and Jess Zafarris

02/12/25 • 32 min

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

Is "posh" really an acronym? | WORD MYTHS

Words Unravelled with RobWords and Jess Zafarris

04/24/24 • 36 min

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

Words Unravelled with RobWords and Jess Zafarris

04/17/24 • 30 min

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

Who is the Jack in a deck of cards? | GAME WORDS

Words Unravelled with RobWords and Jess Zafarris

11/20/24 • 43 min

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

Who was the first to "paint the town red"? | IDIOM ORIGINS

Words Unravelled with RobWords and Jess Zafarris

01/29/25 • 47 min

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

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FAQ

How many episodes does Words Unravelled with RobWords and Jess Zafarris have?

Words Unravelled with RobWords and Jess Zafarris currently has 40 episodes available.

What topics does Words Unravelled with RobWords and Jess Zafarris cover?

The podcast is about Society & Culture, Podcasts, Self-Improvement and Education.

What is the most popular episode on Words Unravelled with RobWords and Jess Zafarris?

The episode title 'Who was the original "goodfella"? | CRIME WORDS' is the most popular.

What is the average episode length on Words Unravelled with RobWords and Jess Zafarris?

The average episode length on Words Unravelled with RobWords and Jess Zafarris is 39 minutes.

How often are episodes of Words Unravelled with RobWords and Jess Zafarris released?

Episodes of Words Unravelled with RobWords and Jess Zafarris are typically released every 7 days.

When was the first episode of Words Unravelled with RobWords and Jess Zafarris?

The first episode of Words Unravelled with RobWords and Jess Zafarris was released on Mar 25, 2024.

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Words Unravelled with RobWords and Jess Zafarris