Words Unravelled with RobWords and Jess Zafarris

Set sail on a wordy adventure! Discover why a 'poop deck' might have a cheeky reputation. Unravel the meaning behind 'shiver me timbers' and other colorful pirate slang. Dive into the rich history of nautical idioms and their influence on the English language. Learn how terms like 'booty' and 'avast' evolved, and explore their pop culture roots. From clumsy 'lubbers' to the mystery of 'Pieces of Eight,' this journey through maritime vocabulary is both enlightening and entertaining!

Dive into the fascinating world of orphaned negatives and lost positives in English! Discover why we say 'nonchalant' but not 'chalant.' Explore the whimsical evolution of 'whelm' and its cousins—'overwhelm' and 'underwhelm.' Unpack the emotional nuances of words like 'maculate' and 'gruntled.' Get ready for a delightful linguistic journey that highlights how language shapes our feelings and the importance of context. Join the fun as they invite listeners to share their own unique word findings!

Dive into the whimsical world of collective nouns, where you’ll learn why crows are called a 'murder' and flamingos flaunt a 'flamboyance.' Discover the intriguing origins behind these quirky terms, revealing insights from a 15th-century hunting manual. Explore the playful evolution of language as it reflects societal views through whimsical phrases like 'parliament of owls' and 'crash of rhinos.' Join the fun as humor blends with history to uncover the creativity behind our language.

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.

Dive into the delightful world of eggcorns, where misheard phrases bring laughter and creativity to language. Discover amusing examples like 'chomping at the bit' and 'bald face lie' that reveal the playful nature of misinterpretation. Explore how the evolution of language allows for these entertaining mistakes. The conversation also delves into the charm of mondegreens, misstated song lyrics, and personal anecdotes, showcasing the joy and humor found in the quirks of everyday speech.

Discover the intriguing origins of the word 'hello' and its connection to early telecommunication. Uncover the surprising roots of 'ciao' and why Thailand officially altered its national greeting. Delve into the rich history of localized terms like 'eu-pme' and the affectionate dynamics of regional dialects. Explore how greetings reveal societal norms, with humorous insights into the quirky origins of French phrases. Finally, examine the cultural significance of goodbyes, showcasing how language evolves with social contexts.

Join two word enthusiasts as they delve into the fascinating etymology of quirky terms. Discover the intriguing origins of modern slang and the layered meanings behind words like 'factoid.' They also shed light on the historical context of 'secretary' and trace the evolution of greetings such as 'hello.' This playful exploration reveals how language shapes our daily lives.