Words Unravelled with RobWords and Jess Zafarris

What's the 'were' in werewolf? | SPOOKY ETYMOLOGY

16 snips
Oct 23, 2024
Discover the spooky origins of Halloween vocabulary, diving into the etymology of terms like 'ghost' and 'ghoul.' Learn the intriguing meaning behind 'were' in werewolf and the literal definition of 'vampire.' Explore the whimsical tradition of jack-o'-lanterns and the folkloric tale of Stingy Jack. Enjoy funny Halloween costume stories and uncover the fascinating history of witchcraft terminology. Delve into language quirks, ghost words, and the evolution of terms related to fear, connecting them to our cultural legends.
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INSIGHT

Halloween's Layered Origins

  • Halloween evolved from Samhain and Roman festivals into All Hallows' Eve before Christian adoption.
  • Jess Zafarris explains bonfires, costumes, and apple-bobbing came from Celtic and Roman customs.
ANECDOTE

Stingy Jack And The Turnip Lantern

  • Stingy Jack's tale explains the jack-o'-lantern tradition and carved turnips.
  • Rob Watts and Jess Zafarris detail Satan-trapping tricks and the coal-in-turnip lantern origin story.
INSIGHT

Jack-O' Beyond Pumpkins

  • 'Jack-o'' originally referred to people carrying lanterns and will-o'-wisps too.
  • Rob Watts notes the O could represent different prepositions like 'of' or 'in'.
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