Words Unravelled with RobWords and Jess Zafarris

Episodios

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  Why is English full of Latin? | LATIN WORDS 19.08.2026 40m

  You speak more Latin than you think. Not only are the many French words in English derived from Latin, but almost 30% of our vocabulary comes directly from the language of the Romans. In this episode, Rob and Jess explore how those words got there, what they literally mean, and whether we are using them correctly.👕 OUR MERCH 👚US SHOP: https://wordsunravelledshop.myspreadshop.com/EU/UK SHOP: https://wordsunravelledshop.myspreadshop.net/🎥 WATCH THIS EPISODE: https://youtu.be/52GtCvS7HCU==LINKS==Rob's YouTube channel: youtube.com/robwordsJess' Useless Etymology blog: https://uselessetymology.com/Rob on X: x.com/robwordsytJess on TikTok: tiktok.com/@jesszafarris
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  Are sharks named after people? | OCEAN WORDS 12.08.2026 52m

  Rob and Jess are taking the deepest of dives into the origins of words from the ocean.🐟 Are many fish 'fish' or 'fishes'?🦈 Why is there a mystery around sharks?🐠 What is a sarcastic fringehead?These questions answered, and many more, in this subaquatic special of Words Unravelled.🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 ROB EDINBURGH TICKETS: https://www.edfringe.com/tickets/whats-on/robwords-live👕 OUR MERCH 👚US SHOP: https://wordsunravelledshop.myspreadshop.com/EU/UK SHOP: https://wordsunravelledshop.myspreadshop.net/👀 WATCH THIS EPISODE: https://youtu.be/-54FiJ0PsXo
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  Does 'Abracadabra' mean anything? | MAGIC WORDS 05.08.2026 47m

  Take a pinch of witchcraft, add a touch of sorcery, and "Hey presto!" you have a wordy nerdy episode about magical terms.🧙 Can only women be witches?🔒 What did a warlock originally do?🪄 What is the literal meaning of 'Alakazam'?These questions answered – and many more – in another enchanting episode of Words Unravelled. 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 ROB'S EDINBURGH SHOW: https://www.edfringe.com/tickets/whats-on/robwords-live👕 OUR MERCH 👚US SHOP: https://wordsunravelledshop.myspreadshop.com/EU/UK SHOP: https://wordsunravelledshop.myspreadshop.net/WATCH THIS EPISODE: https://youtu.be/O5DTL8Ogoo4
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  What's so great about 'seventh' heaven? | NUMBER IDIOMS 29.07.2026 50m

  We're exploring the origins of common sayings relating to numbers in this episode.🥉 Why is the third time a charm?⛅️ What's so great about "seventh heaven"?🙃 Why do we say "at sixes and sevens"?Rob and Jess explore these numerical idioms – and many more – in this magnificently mathematical edition of Words Unravelled.👕 OUR MERCH 👚US SHOP: https://wordsunravelledshop.myspreadshop.com/EU/UK SHOP: https://wordsunravelledshop.myspreadshop.net/🎥 WATCH THIS EPISODE: https://youtu.be/gH0Zz10y9Ek
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  Words the Vikings left behind | OLD NORSE 22.07.2026 42m

  What did the Vikings do for us? Rob and Jess are exploring the words left behind by the Scandinavian invaders.🪓 How much of English is Old Norse?🗺️ Which place names are inherited from "the Danes"?📝 How did the Norsemen change English grammar?These questions answered, and many more, in another Words Unravelled.👕 OUR MERCH 👚US SHOP: https://wordsunravelledshop.myspreadshop.com/EU/UK SHOP: https://wordsunravelledshop.myspreadshop.net/🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 ROB EDINBURGH TICKETS: https://www.edfringe.com/tickets/whats-on/robwords-liveWATCH THIS EPISODE: https://youtu.be/La3toomR-ow
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  Are you pronouncing 'caramel' wrong? | ACCENTS (ft. Valerie Fridland) 15.07.2026 49m

  Why do Americans and Brits have the accents they have? Sociolinguist, professor and author Valerie Fridland joins Rob and Jess this week to discuss why we talk funny.🍮 Does 'caramel' have one or two syllables?🪶 Do Americans sound more like Shakespeare than Brits?🎩 Why do some accents sound 'posher' than others?These questions answered, an many more, in another gloriously nerdy episode of Words Unravelled.📘 VALERIE'S BOOKS 📕Why We Talk Funny: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/744046/why-we-talk-funny-by-valerie-fridland/Like, Literally, Dude: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/671558/like-literally-dude-by-valerie-fridland/👕 OUR MERCH 👚US SHOP: https://wordsunravelledshop.myspreadshop.com/EU/UK SHOP: https://wordsunravelledshop.myspreadshop.net/🎥 WATCH THIS EPISODE: https://youtu.be/t71jZBSfack
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  What does 'Mona Lisa' even mean? | ART WORDS 08.07.2026 46m

  How does an artist use a 'donkey'? What does 'Mona Lisa' actually mean? Who is the "dada" in Dadaism? Rob and Jess are explaining word origins from the art world in the latest Words Unravelled, exploring artists, artworks and art supplies.🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿ROB'S EDINBURGH SHOW🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿Tickets: https://www.edfringe.com/tickets/whats-on/robwords-live👕 OUR MERCH 👚US SHOP: https://wordsunravelledshop.myspreadshop.com/EU/UK SHOP: https://wordsunravelledshop.myspreadshop.net/WATCH THIS EPISODE: https://youtu.be/0xi1MatI3pw
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  False Friends: Dangerous words in other languages 24.06.2026 47m

  Rob and Jess are exploring deceptive words in other languages, like French, German and Spanish. So-called 'false friends' look familiar to English speakers but mean something very different. Watch this episode to avoid any sticky situations when you're next abroad.🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 ROB'S EDINBURGH SHOW 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿Tickets: https://www.edfringe.com/tickets/whats-on/robwords-live👕 OUR MERCH 👚US SHOP: https://wordsunravelledshop.myspreadshop.com/EU/UK SHOP: https://wordsunravelledshop.myspreadshop.net/👀 WATCH THIS EPISODE: https://youtu.be/XA4d9r6Yu5A
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  How did The Beatles get their name? | ROCK 'N' ROLL 03.06.2026 40m

  Why is it called "Rock and Roll"? Who came up with "The Beatles"? Which bands took their names from literature? Rob and Jess are answering all manner of musical etymological question in this off-beat 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/JlgQIDxufh0
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  Spanish words hiding in English 27.05.2026 43m

  ¡Hablas más español de lo que crees! You speak more Spanish than you think! In this episode, Rob and Jess are exploring the Spanish words that have entered English both sides of the Atlantic.🤠 Which words entered English in the old West?🐴 Which animals are surprisingly Spanish?🇪🇸 Why do people in Spain sound like they have a lisp?These questions answered – and many more – in another Words Unravelled.👀 WATCH THIS EPISODE: https://youtu.be/vrKG4SLajSg👕 OUR MERCH 👚US SHOP: https://wordsunravelledshop.myspreadshop.com/EU/UK SHOP: https://wordsunravelledshop.myspreadshop.net/
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  The origins of the alphabet 20.05.2026 41m

  Let's explore the mysteries of our weird alphabet. Rob and Jess are joined by Danny Bate, author of Why Q Needs U, to discuss where our letters came from and why they make the noises they make.🅰️ How was A originally an ox?𝑄 Why does Q always appear with U?🦓 Is it ZEE or ZED?These questions answered and so many more in an alphabetically astounding episode of Words Unravelled.📖 Buy Danny's book, WHY Q NEEDS U: https://geni.us/WhyQNeedsU👕 OUR MERCH 👚US SHOP: https://wordsunravelledshop.myspreadshop.com/EU/UK SHOP: https://wordsunravelledshop.myspreadshop.net/Watch this episode: https://youtu.be/EqaYS3vWKGY
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  Who should you hit with a 'slapstick'? | COMEDY WORDS 13.05.2026 41m

  Rob and Jess are guffawing their way through a world of comedic words. 🎭 What does 'comedy' literally mean?🤡 Who should you hit with a 'slapstick'?🥄 What was a spoof? (It's not a type of spoon)These questions answered, and many many more, in this hilarious edition of Words Unravelled.👀 WATCH THIS EPISODE: https://youtu.be/56YLffYfQ7M👕 OUR MERCH 👚US SHOP: https://wordsunravelledshop.myspreadshop.com/EU/UK SHOP: https://wordsunravelledshop.myspreadshop.net/
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  The Arabic words hiding in English 06.05.2026 48m

  Rob and Jess are exploring the Arabic words hiding in English.🛜 Who was the original ‘algorithm’ named after?🥷 How did ‘assassins’ get their name?🔢 Why does English use Arabic numerals?These questions answered, and many more, in another Words Unravelled.👕 OUR MERCH 👚US SHOP: https://wordsunravelledshop.myspreadshop.com/EU/UK SHOP: https://wordsunravelledshop.myspreadshop.net/WATCH THIS EPISODE: https://youtu.be/7vwN3aiiBM4
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  What was so "complex" about Oedipus? | PSYCHOLOGY TERMS 29.04.2026 45m

  This episode is all in the mind, as Rob and Jess explore the origins of psychological terms.💕 What did Oedipus doe to his mother?🛋️ What did Sigmund Freud actually believe?😳 What is "catagelaphobia"?🥼 Why has "therapy speak" become such a problem?These questions answered, and many more, in this psychoanalytical edition of Words Unravelled that is sure to make you think.👀 WATCH THIS EPISODE: https://youtu.be/JpkXFBDVyxc👕 OUR MERCH 👚US SHOP: https://wordsunravelledshop.myspreadshop.com/EU/UK SHOP: https://wordsunravelledshop.myspreadshop.net/
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  The literal meaning of 'tiramisu' | WORLD FOODS 22.04.2026 45m

  Rob and Jess are touring the world and translating the names of popular foods.🍝 What does "chow mein" mean?👅 Which pasta is "little tongues"?🌭 What is a Frankfurter called in Frankfurt?These curious culinary questions answered, and many more, in another deliciously nerdy 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/2Jvlji9GlOw
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  Why is a false clue a "red herring"? | IDIOM ORIGINS 15.04.2026 43m

  Rob and Jess explore the origins of common sayings in another episode dedicated to the stories behind idioms.🐟 What was the first "red herring"?🪿 Is there a goose in a "wild goose chase"?👮 Why is prison called "up the river"?Find the answers to these questions and many more in another wordy nerdy episode of Words Unravelled.WATCH THIS EPISODE: https://youtu.be/tRR-DHzD7mw👕 OUR MERCH 👚US SHOP: https://wordsunravelledshop.myspreadshop.com/EU/UK SHOP: https://wordsunravelledshop.myspreadshop.net/
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  Why does Berlin mean 'swamp'? | CITY NAME ORIGINS 08.04.2026 47m

  What's in a names? Jess and Rob are exploring why major cities are called what they're called and what their names literally mean.🇩🇪 Why does BERLIN mean 'swamp'?🇯🇵 Why are KYOTO and TOKYO anagrams?🇿🇦 Who is the Johannes of Johannesburg?These questions answered, and many more, in a globe-trotting episode of Words Unravelled.👕 OUR MERCH 👚US SHOP: https://wordsunravelledshop.myspreadshop.com/EU/UK SHOP: https://wordsunravelledshop.myspreadshop.net/👀 WATCH THIS EPISODEhttps://youtu.be/p4bB1fOPtXI
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  Why do Brits eat their entrees first? ? UK v US ENGLISH 31.03.2026 42m

  Rob and Jess are engaged in another transatlantic war of words, pitting their British and American accents against one another.🍽️ Why do Brits eat their entrees first?👰🏽 Why do Americans pronounce "merry", "marry" and "Mary" the same?🚿 Why can't we agree on whether to "have" or "take" a shower?These questions answered, and many more, in another Words Unravelled.Evan Edinger: https://www.youtube.com/evanLost in the Pond: https://www.youtube.com/lostinthepond👕 OUR MERCH 👚US SHOP: https://wordsunravelledshop.myspreadshop.com/EU/UK SHOP: https://wordsunravelledshop.myspreadshop.net/👀 WATCH THIS EPISODE: https://youtu.be/IvWUmPs12UU==LINKS==Rob's YouTube channel: youtube.com/robwordsJess' Useless Etymology blog: https://uselessetymology.com/Rob on X: x.com/robwordsytJess on TikTok: tiktok.com/@jesszafarris
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  Slurs and taboos with Professor John McWhorter 11.03.2026 43m

  Rob and Jess are joined by the brilliant John McWhorter to discuss words you're not allowed to use. Professor McWhorter has written extensively about taboos, slurs and profanities and brings his unparalleled expertise on the English language. 🤬 Is "the R word" becoming even more taboo?🤐 Are we "unaliving" our way to a new era of self-censorship?🔄 Can a slur ever be truly "reclaimed"?These questions answered, and many more, in a fascinatingly frank episode of Words Unravelled.More about John: https://johnmcwhorter.org/📕 Nine Nasty Words: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/624619/nine-nasty-words-by-john-mcwhorter/👕 OUR MERCH 👚US SHOP: https://wordsunravelledshop.myspreadshop.com/EU/UK SHOP: https://wordsunravelledshop.myspreadshop.net/Watch this episode: https://youtu.be/6JYqGa_-UZE
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  What was Pepsi originally called? | BRAND NAME ORIGINS 04.03.2026 47m

  What does IKEA mean? What language is Häagen-Dasz? Who came up with the name Adidas? Why is Danone spelled Dannon in the US? These questions answered, and many more, as Jess and Rob explore the origins of brand names.Enjoy some more trademark word nerdery in this episode of Words Unravelled exploring Coca-Cola, Pepsi, Lego, Shell, ExxonMobil, Aldi and other famous product names.👕 OUR MERCH 👚US SHOP: https://wordsunravelledshop.myspreadshop.com/EU/UK SHOP: https://wordsunravelledshop.myspreadshop.net/WATCH THIS EPISODE: https://youtu.be/7jPjtgg06L0