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
Episodes
July 30, 2025 โข 50 mins
In for a penny, in for a pound: Rob and Jess discuss money word origins in this episode of Words Unravelled.
๐ฐ Where did the dollar sign come from?
๐ท What is the British currency a pound of?
๐ค Which goddess is all money named after?
These questions answered โ and many more โ in another financially sound episode of Words Unravelled.
๐ VOTE FOR US ๐
The British Podcast Awards listeners...
๐ฐ Where did the dollar sign come from?
๐ท What is the British currency a pound of?
๐ค Which goddess is all money named after?
These questions answered โ and many more โ in another financially sound episode of Words Unravelled.
๐ VOTE FOR US ๐
The British Podcast Awards listeners...
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July 23, 2025 โข 43 mins
Jess and Rob have got their heads in the clouds, exploring the origins of our words for weather.
โ๏ธ Why don't meteorologists deal with meteors?
โ๏ธ How are we using the wrong word for 'cloud'?
โ๏ธ What was the original 'raincheck'?
๐คฌ Why does Jess hate the word 'petrichor'?
These questions answered, and many more, in this etymological meteorological episode of Words Unravelled.
๐ LINKS ๐...
โ๏ธ Why don't meteorologists deal with meteors?
โ๏ธ How are we using the wrong word for 'cloud'?
โ๏ธ What was the original 'raincheck'?
๐คฌ Why does Jess hate the word 'petrichor'?
These questions answered, and many more, in this etymological meteorological episode of Words Unravelled.
๐ LINKS ๐...
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July 16, 2025 โข 45 mins
Is 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.
๐ฅณ Is it wrong to use "fun" as an adjective?
๐๏ธ Is "drive SLOW" bad grammar? (or just a flat adverb?)
๐ฅ Why does "tonic and gin" sound weird?
These questio...
๐ฅณ Is it wrong to use "fun" as an adjective?
๐๏ธ Is "drive SLOW" bad grammar? (or just a flat adverb?)
๐ฅ Why does "tonic and gin" sound weird?
These questio...
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June 25, 2025 โข 48 mins
Bienvenue dans cet รฉpisode de "Mot Dรฉcortiquรฉ"! Rob and Jess are exploring the enormous influence French has had on the English language.ย
๐What proportion of English words are French?
๐ฅฉWhy do our meats have French names?
๐ซ๐ทWhich words have we borrowed from French twice?
These questions answered and many, many more in another merveilleux, fabuleux Words Unravelled.
๐ OUR MERCH ๐
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๐What proportion of English words are French?
๐ฅฉWhy do our meats have French names?
๐ซ๐ทWhich words have we borrowed from French twice?
These questions answered and many, many more in another merveilleux, fabuleux Words Unravelled.
๐ OUR MERCH ๐
US SHOP: http...
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June 18, 2025 โข 41 mins
Jess and Rob present a brief history of time words in an episode filled with chronological etymology.
โ๏ธ How did "seconds" get their name?
๐ฐ๏ธ What does "clock" literally mean?
๐ซ๐ท How did France's decimal calendar work?
These questions answered โ and so many more โ in this timely episode of Words Unravelled.
Our mythology episode: https://youtu.be/b8s2uxWrMhQ?si=G--tQQwAj9mKHk-S
๐...
โ๏ธ How did "seconds" get their name?
๐ฐ๏ธ What does "clock" literally mean?
๐ซ๐ท How did France's decimal calendar work?
These questions answered โ and so many more โ in this timely episode of Words Unravelled.
Our mythology episode: https://youtu.be/b8s2uxWrMhQ?si=G--tQQwAj9mKHk-S
๐...
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June 11, 2025 โข 46 mins
Lights, camera, action! Rob and Jess are discussing movie and TV terms in this filmic episode of Words Unravelled.
๐ฅ Why do Brits call movies "films"?
๐คท๐ผโโ๏ธ Why has Allen Smithee directed so many terrible movies?
๐ 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.
๐ OUR MERCH ๐
US SHOP: https:...
๐ฅ Why do Brits call movies "films"?
๐คท๐ผโโ๏ธ Why has Allen Smithee directed so many terrible movies?
๐ 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.
๐ OUR MERCH ๐
US SHOP: https:...
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June 4, 2025 โข 41 mins
Time 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.
๐ท๏ธ Why do spiders spin "cobwebs"?
๐ฆ Was a butterfly ever a "flutterby"?
๐ Which is older, "ladybug" or "ladybird"?
These questions answered, and many more, a critter-crammed episode of Words Unravelled.
๐ OUR MERCH ๐
US...
๐ท๏ธ Why do spiders spin "cobwebs"?
๐ฆ Was a butterfly ever a "flutterby"?
๐ Which is older, "ladybug" or "ladybird"?
These questions answered, and many more, a critter-crammed episode of Words Unravelled.
๐ OUR MERCH ๐
US...
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May 28, 2025 โข 39 mins
Holy 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.
โช๏ธ What was kept in the very first chapel?
๐ฆ Which animal was the original behemoth?
๐๏ธ Where does the word "conclave" come from?
These questions answered โ and many more โ in another Words Unravelled.
๐ OUR MERCH ๐
US SHOP: https://wordsunrav...
โช๏ธ What was kept in the very first chapel?
๐ฆ Which animal was the original behemoth?
๐๏ธ Where does the word "conclave" come from?
These questions answered โ and many more โ in another Words Unravelled.
๐ OUR MERCH ๐
US SHOP: https://wordsunrav...
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May 21, 2025 โข 39 mins
Jess and Rob are unravelling the origins of our words for fabric and clothing in this highly fashionable episode of Words Unravelled.
๐ฉฒ Why do 'pants' mean different things in the UK and US?
๐ Which city are your jeans named after?
๐ชถ What's flappy about a 'flapper girl'?
โ๏ธ Is 'nylon' really named after New York and London?
These questions answered, and many more, in our most unravelly episode ...
๐ฉฒ Why do 'pants' mean different things in the UK and US?
๐ Which city are your jeans named after?
๐ชถ What's flappy about a 'flapper girl'?
โ๏ธ Is 'nylon' really named after New York and London?
These questions answered, and many more, in our most unravelly episode ...
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May 14, 2025 โข 43 mins
It's time to hit the road with Rob and Jess as they journey through the origins of words from road and rail.
๐ Why do Brits say "transport" and Americans "transportation"?
๐ What's the difference between a train and a locomotive?
๐ How do you actually pronounce Hyundai?
These questions answered โ and many more โ in this transport[ation] special of Words Unravelled.
๐ OUR MERCH ๐
US SHOP: https...
๐ Why do Brits say "transport" and Americans "transportation"?
๐ What's the difference between a train and a locomotive?
๐ How do you actually pronounce Hyundai?
These questions answered โ and many more โ in this transport[ation] special of Words Unravelled.
๐ OUR MERCH ๐
US SHOP: https...
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May 7, 2025 โข 50 mins
Rob and Jess "pull out all the stops" in this episode explaining idiom origins.ย
โ๏ธ Why do we say "balls to the wall" and "push the envelope"?ย
๐ What's so useless about a "white elephant"?ย
๐ 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 ...
โ๏ธ Why do we say "balls to the wall" and "push the envelope"?ย
๐ What's so useless about a "white elephant"?ย
๐ 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 ...
Mark as Played
April 30, 2025 โข 47 mins
Let'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.ย
Our previous ๐บ๐ธ vs. ๐ฌ๐ง episode
๐บ https://youtu.be/o6KlBd7TPFI?si=EHmBIMV3PatoSQi9
๐ https://pod.fo/e/240f60
๐ OUR MERCH ๏ฟฝ...
For our new Channel Memberships click "Join" just below the video.ย
Our previous ๐บ๐ธ vs. ๐ฌ๐ง episode
๐บ https://youtu.be/o6KlBd7TPFI?si=EHmBIMV3PatoSQi9
๐ https://pod.fo/e/240f60
๐ OUR MERCH ๏ฟฝ...
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April 23, 2025 โข 33 mins
We're back for a new ๐ฌ๐งseries/๐บ๐ธseason of Words Unravelled. In this episode, transatlantic word nerds Rob and Jess tackle the truth and lies surrounding Williams Shakespeare.
โ๏ธ Did the Bard really invent 1,700 words?
๐คฌ Which insults did Willy give us?
๐ญ Could he actually have written all of those plays?
These questions answered and many more, just As You Like It.
๐ OUR MERCH ๐
US SHOP: htt...
โ๏ธ Did the Bard really invent 1,700 words?
๐คฌ Which insults did Willy give us?
๐ญ Could he actually have written all of those plays?
These questions answered and many more, just As You Like It.
๐ OUR MERCH ๐
US SHOP: htt...
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April 2, 2025 โข 41 mins
There's fightin' talk in this episode of Words Unravelled, in which Jess and Rob discuss words of warcraft.
๐ซ Which woman are all guns named after?
๐ช Where does the word "war" come from?
๐ฎ Is lieutenant pronounced loo-tenant or lef-tenant?
These questions answered โ and many more โ in this military etymology special of Words Unravelled.
๐ OUR MERCH ๐
US SHOP: https://wordsunravelledshop.myspre...
๐ซ Which woman are all guns named after?
๐ช Where does the word "war" come from?
๐ฎ Is lieutenant pronounced loo-tenant or lef-tenant?
These questions answered โ and many more โ in this military etymology special of Words Unravelled.
๐ OUR MERCH ๐
US SHOP: https://wordsunravelledshop.myspre...
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March 26, 2025 โข 40 mins
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.
๐ What's the difference between a font and a typeface?
๐ Who was the printer's devil?
๐ How did the printing press ruin English spelling?
These questions answered โ and many more โ in this clichรฉ-free episode of Words Unr...
๐ What's the difference between a font and a typeface?
๐ Who was the printer's devil?
๐ How did the printing press ruin English spelling?
These questions answered โ and many more โ in this clichรฉ-free episode of Words Unr...
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March 19, 2025 โข 50 mins
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.
#๏ธโฃ Where did the F word come from?
๐ Which place names originally contained swear words?
๐บ What are the worst words you can say on TV?
These questions answered, and many more, in this NSFW edition of Words Unravelled.
๐WORDY NERDY MERCH๐
Our EU...
#๏ธโฃ Where did the F word come from?
๐ Which place names originally contained swear words?
๐บ What are the worst words you can say on TV?
These questions answered, and many more, in this NSFW edition of Words Unravelled.
๐WORDY NERDY MERCH๐
Our EU...
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March 12, 2025 โข 44 mins
Welcome to another bloomin' wonderful episode of Words Unravelled. This time, Rob and Jess are discussing the origins of all manner of flower name.
๐ปWhich flower makes you wet the bed?
๐๏ธWhich flower's name means "day's eye"?
๐นWhat is the origin of the word rose?
๐ฅWhat did Jess name her cucumber plant?
These questions answered - and many more - in this anthology of horticultural etymologies.
๐ฅ...
๐ปWhich flower makes you wet the bed?
๐๏ธWhich flower's name means "day's eye"?
๐นWhat is the origin of the word rose?
๐ฅWhat did Jess name her cucumber plant?
These questions answered - and many more - in this anthology of horticultural etymologies.
๐ฅ...
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March 5, 2025 โข 39 mins
Who 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.
๐ What are the three types of irony?
โDo you now an anaphora from an epistrophe?
๐คท๐ผโโ๏ธ Why is tmesis so un-flippin'-believable?
These questions answered and many more in a...
๐ What are the three types of irony?
โDo you now an anaphora from an epistrophe?
๐คท๐ผโโ๏ธ Why is tmesis so un-flippin'-believable?
These questions answered and many more in a...
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February 26, 2025 โข 45 mins
Let's discuss the etymology of the body from "head" to "toe". Join Rob and Jess on an adventure through anatomical word origins.
๐ Why is tongue spelt that way?
๐ What did we originally call our Adam's apple?
๐ How did our naughty bits get their names?
These questions answered and many more in a body-positive episode of Words Unravelled.
๐ OUR NEW MERCH ๐
US SHOP: https://wordsunravelledshop.m...
๐ Why is tongue spelt that way?
๐ What did we originally call our Adam's apple?
๐ How did our naughty bits get their names?
These questions answered and many more in a body-positive episode of Words Unravelled.
๐ OUR NEW MERCH ๐
US SHOP: https://wordsunravelledshop.m...
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February 19, 2025 โข 29 mins
Let this episode be music to your ears as Rob Watts and Jess Zafarris explore the melodic origins of all manner of musical words.
๐ฆ Which instrument used to be called a "ho boy"?
๐ค What does "karaoke" literally mean?
๐ท Who is the saxophone named after?
๐ถ How good is Rob's theremin impression?
These questions answered, and many more in another Words Unravelled.
WATCH THIS EPISODE: http...
๐ฆ Which instrument used to be called a "ho boy"?
๐ค What does "karaoke" literally mean?
๐ท Who is the saxophone named after?
๐ถ How good is Rob's theremin impression?
These questions answered, and many more in another Words Unravelled.
WATCH THIS EPISODE: http...
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