Words Unravelled with RobWords and Jess Zafarris

Dive into the fascinating world of tech language! Discover the origins of 'robot' and why it connects to Czech for 'forced labor.' Uncover the infamous line of the first internet troll and how 'spam' links back to Monty Python. Learn the correct pronunciation of 'meme' and trace its roots from Richard Dawkins. Plus, explore the meanings behind 'Jedi' and other iconic sci-fi terms. It's a tech-themed journey packed with quirky etymology and cultural insights!

Rob and Jess are taking a surgical look at words from the world of medicine.💊 What is the Nocebo Effect?🩺 Are doctors named after leeches (or the other way round)?🚑 What does "ambulance" literally mean?These questions answered, and many more, in another wordy nerdy 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/KVFMuOBPjNs

Jess and Rob are exploring the etymological origins of mythical beasts and cryptids.🐺 What does "Chupacabra" mean?🦑 Why are we getting the name "Kraken" wrong?🐉 What animal was the original "dragon"?These questions answered – and many more besides – in another Words Unravelled.👕 OUR MERCH 👚US SHOP: https://wordsunravelledshop.myspreadshop.com/EU/UK SHOP: https://wordsunravelledshop.myspreadshop.net/👀 WATCH THIS EPISODE: https://youtu.be/hcVF8b2w6n4

In this episode, Rob and Jess explore the stories behind a host of common sayings. 🪓 Does anyone actually 'bury the hatchet'? 😈 Was there ever a 'devil's advocate'? 🔫 What is a 'son of a gun'? 🪶 Why would you have a 'feather in your cap'? These questions answered – and many more – in another idioms 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/d2q4bBjWmtI

This episode of Words Unravelled is not for the easily offended, as Rob and Jess explore dictionaries dedicated to underground slang.  Focusing first on Francis Grose's 'Classical Dictionary of the Vulgar Tongue', our hosts pick out some of the rudest, meanest and funniest words recorded in 18th century London. They also discuss other attempts to document the everyday talk of the criminal classes, and take a special look at London's 20th century 'gay language', Polari. 👕 OUR MERCH 👚 US SHOP: https://wordsunravelledshop.myspreadshop.com/ EU/UK SHOP: https://wordsunravelledshop.myspreadshop.net/ 👀 WATCH THIS EPISODE: https://youtu.be/GHqlu7p6GQ0

Explore the debate on whether English can truly be classified as a Romance language. Discover its strong Germanic roots, the influence of Old Norse, and how Viking borrowings have shaped the language. Learn about linguistic phenomena like Grimm's Law and i-mutation, and uncover the fascinating impacts of Dutch and Yiddish on modern English. Delve into the intricacies of Germanic compounds and unique numbering systems, all while celebrating English's rich ability to adapt and incorporate from various linguistic sources.

Join Joshua Blackburn, creator of the board game League of the Lexicon and author of The Language-Lover's Lexipedia, as he dives into quirky linguistic discussions. Discover the fascinating Baader-Meinhof effect and the only country named after a woman—Saint Lucia. Joshua reveals the peculiarities of convict slang and misquotes like those wrongly attributed to Churchill. With laughter, he quizzes the hosts on unique words and their meanings, while sharing enlightening and humorous language tidbits that will spark your curiosity!

In this episode, Jess and Rob get sporty as they trace the origins of the words behind our favourite games. ⚾️ What is the word "sport" short for?🏉 Why does American "football" barely involve your feet?🏏 What do Brits mean when they say something "isn't cricket"?Expect Victorian public schools, Indigenous ball games, and a few linguistic own goals in another Words Unravelled.👕 OUR MERCH 👚US SHOP: https://wordsunravelledshop.myspreadshop.com/EU/UK SHOP: https://wordsunravelledshop.myspreadshop.net/👀WATCH THIS EPISODE: https://youtu.be/ClRqFWMR15Y

Rob and Jess are exploring the origins of first names.  👩 Are all MARYS actually MIRIAMS? 🕵️‍♀️ How can JAMES, IAGO and JACOB be the same? 💡 What do ROBERT and JESSICA mean? These questions answered – and many more – in this nominally fascinating etymological exploration of why we're called what we're called. It's time for Words Unravelled! 👕 OUR MERCH 👚 US SHOP: https://wordsunravelledshop.myspreadshop.com/ EU/UK SHOP: https://wordsunravelledshop.myspreadshop.net/ WATCH THIS EPISODE: https://youtu.be/P7OrRqykwWc

In this episode, Rob and Jess dig into the origins of the words we use for our furry, feathered, and occasionally scaly companions.  🐕 Where does the word 'dog' come from? 🐈 What does 'cat' literally mean? 🐹 Are guinea pigs even from Guinea? These questions answered, and many more, in this edition of Words Unravelled dedicated to our beloved pets. WATCH THIS EPISODE: https://youtu.be/_r2HMeiDhKA 👕 OUR MERCH 👚 US SHOP: https://wordsunravelledshop.myspreadshop.com/ EU/UK SHOP: https://wordsunravelledshop.myspreadshop.net/