Grammar Girl Quick and Dirty Tips for Better Writing Why ‘Useless Etymology’ gives you super powers, with Jess Zafarris
Oct 2, 2025
In this entertaining discussion, Jess Zafarris, an author and etymology communicator, shares insights from her book, Useless Etymology. She reveals how understanding word origins can grant you superpowers, such as decoding complex terms and entering new fields through vocabulary. Jess surprises listeners with the original meanings of everyday words like 'girl' and 'outrage' and explains how acronyms emerged in the modern age. Dive into the quirky histories behind names like 'fedora' and learn why 'gingerbread' isn’t what you think!
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Etymology As A Superpower
- Etymology grants inferential power by breaking words into meaningful parts.
- Jess Zafarris shows this with
Vocabulary Opens New Subjects
- Etymology serves as a doorway into other disciplines through vocabulary.
- Jess Zafarris explains word origins help you learn subjects from astronomy to molecular biology.
Make Words Intentionally
- Build and invent words by knowing roots, stems, and affixes.
- Use etymology to create portmanteaus, fictional names, or clever business names.
