Words Unravelled with RobWords and Jess Zafarris

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

❗️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

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

🤔 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

In this episode of Words Unravelled, Rob and Jess dig into the spooky origins of Halloween words. From 'ghosts' and 'ghouls' to 'warlocks' and 'witches', they uncover the hauntingly fascinating roots of supernatural lingo. 

🐺 What is the 'were' in werewolf?

🧌 Why is there a 'monster' in 'demonstrate'?

🦇 What does 'vampire' literally mean?

These creepy questions answered and many more. Join us... if you dare 👻

🎥 WATCH THIS EPISODE: https://youtu.be/hZK6kCAmwEQ

📙 JESS'S BOOK 'WORDS FROM HELL': https://linktr.ee/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

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