Episodes

  • Is he Santa Claus or Father Christmas? | FESTIVE ETYMOLOGY

    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
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    38 mins
  • What did a "sin-eater" do? | JOB ETYMOLOGY

    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
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    47 mins
  • Is it a 'full stop' or a 'period'? | PUNCTUATION

    Is it a 'full stop' or a 'period'? | PUNCTUATION
    Dec 4 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
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    43 mins
  • Is corporate jargon a synergistic value-add? | JARGON

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

    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
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    43 mins
  • Which cocktail's name means "moist little thing"? | BOOZY WORDS

    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
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    44 mins
  • How can "tree" and "truth" be related? | WOODLAND WORDS

    How can "tree" and "truth" be related? | WOODLAND WORDS
    Nov 6 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
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    58 mins
  • What's the true meaning of 'happiness'? | EMOTION ETYMOLOGY

    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
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    49 mins