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

01/29/25 • 47 min

Words Unravelled with RobWords and Jess Zafarris

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

Previous Episode

Is he Santa Claus or Father Christmas? | FESTIVE ETYMOLOGY

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

Next Episode

Who was the original "goodfella"? | CRIME WORDS

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