Words Unravelled with RobWords and Jess Zafarris

False Friends: Dangerous words in other languages 24.06.2026 47min

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

How did The Beatles get their name? | ROCK 'N' ROLL 03.06.2026 40min

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

Spanish words hiding in English 27.05.2026 43min

¡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/

The origins of the alphabet 20.05.2026 41min

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

Who should you hit with a 'slapstick'? | COMEDY WORDS 13.05.2026 41min

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/

The Arabic words hiding in English 06.05.2026 48min

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

What was so "complex" about Oedipus? | PSYCHOLOGY TERMS 29.04.2026 45min

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/

The literal meaning of 'tiramisu' | WORLD FOODS 22.04.2026 45min

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

Why is a false clue a "red herring"? | IDIOM ORIGINS 15.04.2026 43min

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/

Why does Berlin mean 'swamp'? | CITY NAME ORIGINS 08.04.2026 47min

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

Why do Brits eat their entrees first? ? UK v US ENGLISH 31.03.2026 42min

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

Slurs and taboos with Professor John McWhorter 11.03.2026 43min

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

What was Pepsi originally called? | BRAND NAME ORIGINS 04.03.2026 47min

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

What does 'philosophy' even mean? | PHILOSOPHICAL WORDS 25.02.2026 41min

Jess and Rob are digging into the origins of the words behind some of history’s biggest ideas – from stoicism and cynicism to logic, ethics, and metaphysics. Along the way, they trace how ancient Greek schools of thought shaped the language we still use to argue, reason, and disagree today. Enjoy this particularly pensive 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/6pya-WuePwo

Why so many terms for 'doing it'? | SEX & LOVE 18.02.2026 48min

Jess and Rob are discussing "the shaking of the sheets". Join them to explore the origins of words for 'doing it' and a host of historic terms for firkytoodling, quiffing and dancing Moll Peatley's Jig. Welcome to a very sex 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/3bvK3bz_AlY

The words English forgot to invent | LEXICAL GAPS 11.02.2026 42min

Why doesn't English have a word for someone who is alive? Or a general term for your aunties and uncles? Should we bring back the word 'uhtceare' from Old English or steal 'Torschlusspanik' from German?Rob and Jess answer these questions and more as they investigate the words that English has forgotten to invent. Join them to explore silly sniglets, outrageous orphaned negatives and untranslatable terms in another 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/PH64PZAjK_s

Could something 'escalate' before the escalator? INVENTIONS 04.02.2026 44min

Is necessity the mother of invention? NO! Latin is, etymologically speaking. That's just one of many revelations as Jess and Rob investigates words for innovations.🛗 Could you 'escalate' something before the escalator?🍞 When was sliced bread actually invented?🩹 What connects zippers, band aids and aspirin?These questions answered – and many more – in another inventive 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/qheviaPndXU

Does anyone know what 'London' means? | CITY NAME ORIGINS 28.01.2026 48min

Rob and Jess are touring the US and the UK in search of the most interesting city name origin stories.💨 Does 'Chicago' have anything to do with wind?🗽 Is New York actually named after York?🚇 Does anyone know what 'London' means?🏹 And what was Nottingham's hilarious old name?Find out as we climb aboard the etymological city-hopper in another wordy, nerdy Words Unravelled.👕 OUR MERCH 👚US SHOP: https://wordsunravelledshop.myspreadshop.com/EU/UK SHOP: https://wordsunravelledshop.myspreadshop.net/WATCH THIS EPISODE: https://youtu.be/fR7IIZAy4Js

What does 'espionage' actually mean? | SECRETS & SPIES 21.01.2026 42min

Rob and Jess are going deep undercover to unearth the origins of words from the word of espionage.🕵️‍♀️ What's the difference between a SPY, and ASSET, and an AGENT?🔍 What does ESPIONAGE literally mean?🇬🇧 Was there ever an MI4 as well MI5 and MI6?These questions answered – and many more – in a supremely secretive episode of Words Unravelled.🎥 Dr Geoff Lindsey's COVERT vid: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NeHRN6GlNOs👕 OUR MERCH 👚US SHOP: https://wordsunravelledshop.myspreadshop.com/EU/UK SHOP: https://wordsunravelledshop.myspreadshop.net/

What did the first internet troll write? | TECH WORDS 14.01.2026 47min

Rob and Jess are talking tech! In this episode, they explore the linguistic origins of terms from technology, Sci-fi and the internet.🧌 Who was the first internet troll?🤖 What does 'robot' literally mean?🔫 Does Jedi actually mean something?⌨️ Are we pronouncing 'meme' correctly?These questions answered, and a whole lot more, in an extra nerdy episode of Words Unravelled.🚨ROBWORDS LIVE🚨Ticket: https://www.ucl.ac.uk/bloomsbury-theatre/events/2026/apr/evening-etymology-rob-words👕 OUR MERCH 👚US SHOP: https://wordsunravelledshop.myspreadshop.com/EU/UK SHOP: https://wordsunravelledshop.myspreadshop.net/🎥 WATCH THIS EPISODE: https://youtu.be/vrZwAuQ6X0c