Episodios

  • Vulgar language and criminal slang

    Vulgar language and criminal slang
    Dec 3 2025
    This episode of Words Unravelled is not for the easily offended, as Rob and Jess explore dictionaries dedicated to underground slang.

    Focusing first on Francis Grose's 'Classical Dictionary of the Vulgar Tongue', our hosts pick out some of the rudest, meanest and funniest words recorded in 18th century London.

    They also discuss other attempts to document the everyday talk of the criminal classes, and take a special look at London's 20th century 'gay language', Polari.

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    42 m
  • Is English a Germanic language?

    Is English a Germanic language?
    Nov 26 2025
    It's sometimes said that English has taken on so many Latin and French words that it is now a Romance language. Rob and Jess believe this is false, and in this episode they explain why.

    Join them as they explain just how similar English is to its siblings Dutch and German and its cousins Swedish, Danish and Norwegian. Learn about the many words borrowed from other Germanic languages. And discover why English has Germanic DNA.

    Enjoy another wordy, nerdy episode of Words Unravelled.

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    47 m
  • Getting quizzed on the quirks of English (with Joshua Blackburn)

    Getting quizzed on the quirks of English (with Joshua Blackburn)
    Nov 19 2025
    What is the Baader-Meinhof effect? How many quotes are wrongly attributed to Churchill? What's Jess's funniest linguistics joke?

    These questions answered, and many more, in a special episode of Words Unravelled featuring League of the Lexicon founder Joshua Blackburn.

    You can find out more about his board game and accompanying book, The Language-Lover's Lexipedia, here: https://www.leagueofthelexicon.com/

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    WATCH THIS EPISODE: https://youtu.be/TFMaxYzWvJc
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    40 m
  • Which was the original 'football'? | SPORTS WORDS

    Which was the original 'football'? | SPORTS WORDS
    Nov 12 2025
    In this episode, Jess and Rob get sporty as they trace the origins of the words behind our favourite games.
    ⚾️ What is the word "sport" short for?
    🏉 Why does American "football" barely involve your feet?
    🏏 What do Brits mean when they say something "isn't cricket"?
    Expect Victorian public schools, Indigenous ball games, and a few linguistic own goals in another Words Unravelled.

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    41 m
  • What does your name mean? | FIRST NAMES EXPLAINED

    What does your name mean? | FIRST NAMES EXPLAINED
    Nov 5 2025
    Rob and Jess are exploring the origins of first names.
    👩 Are all MARYS actually MIRIAMS?
    🕵️‍♀️ How can JAMES, IAGO and JACOB be the same?
    💡 What do ROBERT and JESSICA mean?
    These questions answered – and many more – in this nominally fascinating etymological exploration of why we're called what we're called. It's time for Words Unravelled!

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    43 m
  • Are pets called 'pets' because we pet them? | PET WORDS

    Are pets called 'pets' because we pet them? | PET WORDS
    Oct 29 2025
    In this episode, Rob and Jess dig into the origins of the words we use for our furry, feathered, and occasionally scaly companions.

    🐕 Where does the word 'dog' come from?
    🐈 What does 'cat' literally mean?
    🐹 Are guinea pigs even from Guinea?

    These questions answered, and many more, in this edition of Words Unravelled dedicated to our beloved pets.

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    45 m
  • Can a hill be taller than a mountain? | GEOGRAPHY WORDS

    Can a hill be taller than a mountain? | GEOGRAPHY WORDS
    Oct 22 2025
    From mountain high to valley low, Rob Watts and Jess Zafarris are exploring the origins of geography words.

    🐻‍❄️ Why are the poles called 'poles'?
    🗻 What is the difference between a hill and a mountain?
    🧭 What do the points of the compass literally mean?

    These questions answered – and many more – in another worldly, wordy and nerdy episode of Words Unravelled.

    🎥 WATCH THIS EPISODE: https://youtu.be/0TTPpHUVL3Y

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    40 m
  • 100 Word Facts... and Rob & Jess meet!

    100 Word Facts... and Rob & Jess meet!
    Oct 15 2025
    Internet word nerds RobWords and Jess Zafarris share 100 word facts. They met in person for the first time after Words Unravelled reached 100,000 subscribers on YouTube. Prepare for 49 minutes of pure linguistic geekery.

    🎥 WATCH THIS EPISODE: https://youtu.be/uPfbuo6iP6Y

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    👂LISTEN: https://podfollow.com/words-unravelled-with-robwords-and-jess-zafarris
    or search for "Words Unravelled" wherever you get your podcasts.

    ==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
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    49 m