Jess Zafarris
Author and etymology communicator (host of Words Unraveled) who wrote the book Useless Etymology and appears as the episode's featured guest to discuss word origins.
Top 3 podcasts with Jess Zafarris
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14 snips
Oct 2, 2025 • 33min
Why ‘Useless Etymology’ gives you super powers, with Jess Zafarris
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!
Apr 24, 2024 • 36min
Is "posh" really an acronym? | WORD MYTHS
Jess Zafarris, an etymology expert, joins Rob Watts, known as RobWords, to tackle popular language myths. They hilariously debunk misconceptions like 'tip' meaning To Insure Promptness and the origin of the F word. The duo delves into the true story behind 'posh' and explores the intricacies of bacronyms, including the USA PATRIOT Act. They also uncover the fascinating evolution of slang, like 'Riz' for charisma. Their discussions reveal the richness of language and the importance of skepticism in etymology.
Dec 26, 2023 • 23min
A rizzy word-of-the-year chat (with Jess Zafarris)
Author Jess Zafarris joins to chat about new words of the year, AI hallucinations, and chatbots creating their own language. They explore the impact of emerging technologies on language and how dictionaries are adapting to the changes.
