Words Unravelled with RobWords and Jess Zafarris

We're taking a world tour of word origins. In this episode, Jess and Rob discuss how a multitude of countries got their names. 🇺🇸 Where was the original "America"? 🇬🇧 Why is Britain called "Great"? 🇨🇦 What does "Canada" mean? 🇩🇪 Why do the Germans call themselves "Dutch"? These questions answered – and many more – in another worldly wise episode of Words Unravelled. 🌐 LINKS 🌐 Rob's UK country names video: https://youtu.be/aXAjMlTO7Dc?si=DpZ8oZlH8h6iVX0O Rob's European countries video: https://youtu.be/2Pcv2ySMi40?si=4YQMmeUL4FcPBOn7 👕 OUR MERCH 👚 US SHOP: https://wordsunravelledshop.myspreadshop.com/ EU/UK SHOP: https://wordsunravelledshop.myspreadshop.net/ WATCH THIS EPISODE: https://youtu.be/HJVrBYFf4Ps

BREAKING: Rob and Jess uncover news clichés and weird journalistic words.  📺 Why do TV news anchors talk in that strange way? 🗞️ Why do newspaper journalists spell lead as "lede"? 🎤 Why do journalists use clichés like "on the rise"? 🐊 What is a "knobbly monster"? These questions answered – and many more – in another hot-off-the-press episode of Words Unravelled. 👕 OUR MERCH 👚 US SHOP: https://wordsunravelledshop.myspreadshop.com/ EU/UK SHOP: https://wordsunravelledshop.myspreadshop.net/ WATCH THIS EPISODE: https://youtu.be/Q_A1OtVd8RA

Samuel Johnson's 1755 dictionary was one heck of an achievement. But it is also far from perfect. In this episode, Jess and Rob discuss some of the more amusing entries within its pages, and even the words that landed dear Samuel in hot water. Enjoy this cover-to-cover exploration of English's most important dictionary and the extraordinary man who wrote it. 👕 OUR MERCH 👚 US SHOP: https://wordsunravelledshop.myspreadshop.com/ EU/UK SHOP: https://wordsunravelledshop.myspreadshop.net/ 📘 JESS'S BOOK 📘 Bookshop . org: tinyurl.com/UselessEty Amazon: tinyurl.com/UselessEtyAZ B&N: tinyurl.com/UselessEtyBN WATCH THIS EPISODE: https://youtu.be/GW0em6wW15A

Welcome aboard flight WU321 bound for Etymology Island. In this episode, Rob and Jess take to the skies and soar through the word origins of a multitude of aviation terms. ✈️ Is it an 'airplane' or an 'aeroplane'? 🐓 Why do pilots sit in a 'cockpit'? 🛩️ Why is English the language of aviation? 🔠 How did the NATO alphabet come to be? These questions answered – and many more – in a high-flying episode of Words Unravelled charting the etymology of flight. 🍾BECOME A MEMBER🍾 Click "join" here: https://www.youtube.com/@wordsunravelled 👕 OUR MERCH 👚 US SHOP: https://wordsunravelledshop.myspreadshop.com/ EU/UK SHOP: https://wordsunravelledshop.myspreadshop.net/ 🎥 WATCH THIS EPISODE: https://youtu.be/v2pWWECvdvc

Dive into the origins of currency and discover where the dollar sign came from. Unravel the meaning of the British pound and learn about the goddess after whom all money is named. Explore the playful evolution of slang terms for money, and see how Yiddish has influenced American commerce language. Delight in the intertwining histories of currency symbols and their cultural significance, shedding light on how money reflects societal values and historical figures.

Dive into the fascinating world of weather language! Discover why meteorologists ignore meteors, and how we might be misnaming clouds. Uncover the intriguing history behind the term 'rain check' and why one host has an aversion to 'petrichor.' Explore regional variations in weather terminology, the rich vocabulary of Arctic languages, and the humorous origins of phrases like 'brass monkeys.' This whimsical journey brings life to the words that describe our atmosphere.

Mignon Fogarty, the genius behind Grammar Girl, joins the conversation to demystify grammar myths. She tackles whether it’s 'on accident' or 'by accident' and the truth behind the Oxford comma. The guest also reveals if using 'fun' as an adjective is really incorrect and discusses the quirky nature of flat adverbs with examples. Dive into the evolution of language and the fascinating world of slang as Mignon shares insights that illuminate the playful side of grammar and writing.

Discover the fascinating influence of French on English! Rob and Jess break down how nearly 30% of English words come from French, especially post-Norman Conquest. They delve into why meats bear French names and explore intriguing borrowed terms like 'chauffeur' and 'panache.' The evolution of words, from 'boudoir' to modern usage, adds a captivating twist. Language reflects social dynamics, with discussions on terms related to conflict and society revealing the historical tapestry woven between these two languages.

Jess and Rob present a brief history of time words in an episode filled with chronological etymology. ⌚️ How did "seconds" get their name? 🕰️ What does "clock" literally mean? 🇫🇷 How did France's decimal calendar work? These questions answered – and so many more – in this timely episode of Words Unravelled. Our mythology episode: https://youtu.be/b8s2uxWrMhQ?si=G--tQQwAj9mKHk-S 👕 OUR MERCH 👚 US SHOP: https://wordsunravelledshop.myspreadshop.com/ EU/UK SHOP: https://wordsunravelledshop.myspreadshop.net/ WATCH THIS EPISODE: https://youtu.be/-nhPlHrJDsQ

Rob and Jess dive into the fascinating world of film and television terms. Discover why 'films' is the preferred term in Britain and the mystery behind the pseudonym 'Alan Smithee.' They also unveil quirky industry jargon like 'gaffer' and 'dolly,' and share hilarious insights from behind the scenes. Listen in to explore the playful evolution of language in popular culture, from 'yada yada yada' to the infamous 'winningest.' This lively discussion is a treat for movie buffs and word lovers alike!