Words Unravelled with RobWords and Jess Zafarris

In this episode of Words Unravelled, Rob and Jess explore the fascinating stories behind the names of the elements of the periodic table. From gods and mythological creatures to places and famous scientists, discover how history, language, and culture have shaped the names we use in chemistry today.

💨Why does oxygen have the wrong name?

🧌Which element is named after a mischievous mythological figure?

🇸🇪Why has a small Swedish village inspired four element names?

Tune in for an educational yet fun journey through the periodic table, and don’t forget to subscribe for more wordy wonders with Words Unravelled!

🎥WATCH THIS EPISODE: https://youtu.be/EOfP8sTYJwo

==LINKS==

Rob's YouTube channel: https://youtube.com/robwords

Jess' Useless Etymology blog: https://uselessetymology.com/

Rob on X: x.com/robwordsyt

Jess on TikTok: tiktok.com/@jesszafarris

In this pulchritudinous episode of Words Unravelled, Rob and Jess discuss the longest words in English and beyond: from antidisestablishmentarianism to opado­temacho­selacho­galeo­kranio­leipsano­drim­hypo­trimmato­silphio­karabo­melito­katakechy­meno­kichl­epi­kossypho­phatto­perister­alektryon­opte­kephallio­kigklo­peleio­lagoio­siraio­baphe­tragano­pterygon.

❓What does floccinaucinihilipilification mean?

⛈️What sound does Bababadalgharaghtakamminarronnkonnbronntonnerronntuonnthunntrovarrhounawnskawntoohoohoordenenthurnuk represent?

😱Hippopotomonstrosesquippedaliophobia is the fear of what?

These questions answered and many more in another Words Unravelled. 

▶️ WATCH THIS EPISODE: https://youtu.be/Sb-o50C0vXE

👕 ROB'S MERCH: https://robwords.myspreadshop.com/

🎥 JESS'S TIKTOK: https://tiktok.com/@jesszafarris

==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 #antidisestablishmentarianism #WordsUnravelled

In this episode, Jess and Rob sling some mud as they explore the etymology of insults.

🐳 Does "dork" mean what people say it means?

🤬 Which was Shakespeare's rudest character?

🍆 What exactly is a "plonker"?

These dastardly questions answered - and many more - in another Words Unravelled!

🎥WATCH THIS EPISODE: https://youtu.be/60VKgSd3wM0

📕JESS'S BOOK: https://tr.ee/Ghw8DYkqBh

👕 ROB'S MERCH: https://robwords.myspreadshop.com/

==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 #Insults

In this episode, Rob and Jess dive headfirst into the topsy-turvy world of palindromes: words, phrases, and numbers that read the same backward and forward. From the humble "wow" to a mind-boggling 1,300-word monster, we've got the subject covered from top to bottom (and back to front).

🔁 What's the longest known palindrome?

🔁 What's the oldest we've ever found?

🔁 Who were the winners at this year's palindrom awards (The Symmsys)?

These questions answered and more in another Words Unravelled.

🎥 WATCH THIS EPISODE: https://youtu.be/b0yMF00Pcew

📚Anthony Etherin's poems: https://x.com/Anthony_Etherin

📹 Write Words Make Magic ambigrams: https://www.youtube.com/@WriteWordsMakeMagic/videos

🏆 The Symmys 2024: https://tcampbell.substack.com/p/symmys-2024

==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 #palindromes #wordsunravelled

Take a walk on the wild side with Rob and Jess as they explore animal etymologies.

🐻Why were we too scared to give bears a proper name?

🐶Why don't we know where the word "dog" came from?

👻Which animal is the "ghost" of the jungle?

These questions answered - and many more - in another Words Unravelled.

THANKS to Martyn Williams for editing this episode.

🎥 WATCH THIS EPISODE: https://youtu.be/_iAT5Z5cwJY

==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

In this episode of Words Unravelled, hosts Rob and Jess dive into the fascinating world of etymology, uncovering the surprising origins of everyday words rooted in ancient mythology.

🔍 Where did the first "clue" lead?

⚡ Which god literally inspires "panic"?

🎭 And what is the tragic tale behind "echo"?

From the tales of Greek gods to Norse legends, discover how these mythical stories have shaped the language we use today. Don't forget to like, subscribe, and hit the bell icon to unravel more word mysteries with us every week! #Etymology #Mythology #WordsUnravelled

👂WATCH THIS EPISODE: https://youtu.be/b8s2uxWrMhQ

📕JESS'S BOOK: https://tr.ee/UlxtrBzwht

☕️ ROB'S MERCH: https://robwords.myspreadshop.com/

==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

How can "cleave" mean both to separate AND to join together? Find out in this episode about contronyms and all manner of other -onyms! Jess and Rob delve into demonyms, retronyms, allonyms, eponyms, aptonyms and caconyms. They explain what they are and why on earth they all exist.

🇬🇧 Why are some Londoners also called Cockneys?

🧔🏼‍♂️ Are sideburns really named after a man called Burnside?

🍔 Why did Robin Mahfood have the worst possible job?

These questions answered and many more in another Words Unravelled!

🎥 WATCH THIS EPISODE: https://youtu.be/Lwj_xBTNJ4I

👕ROB'S MERCH: https://robwords.com/shop

==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 #contronyms #demonyms

In this episode of Words Unravelled, Rob and Jess explore the delicious origins of our words for foods. They delve into the etymology of "dinner", "lunch" and all manner of mealtime, and ask whether "vegetables" technically even exist. As usual, there are one or two saucy stories to be told too (wait 'til you hear what "vanilla" actually means...).

🎥 WATCH THIS EPISODE: https://youtu.be/cpbX99gYP4M

==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

Discover the fascinating world of "fossil words" with Rob and Jess on Words Unravelled! 🌍📚 In this episode, our hosts delve into the history and evolution of words that have stood the test of time but are no longer in common use. 

❓What is a "petard" and how can you be "hoist" by yours?

❓What does the shrift in "give short shrift" mean?

❓Who were the first people to "run amok"?

Learn about their origins, meanings, and the intriguing stories behind these linguistic relics.

🎥WATCH THIS EPISODE: https://youtu.be/HEk4hJZfo6Q

==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 #fossilwords #wordfacts

In this edition of Words Unravelled, Rob and Jess resurrect some long lost words. We promise not to leave you gremed, overmirthed, nor cursed with the mulligrubs as we explore a hubble-shubble of archaic and obsolete vocabulary from centuries past.

🎥 WATCH EPISODE: https://youtu.be/_tW9pfCqIgY

==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