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Artwork for Words Unravelled

Words Unravelled with RobWords and Jess Zafarris

Words Unravelled with RobWords and Jess Zafarris
Etymology
Language
English Language
Egg Corns
Malapropisms
Fossil Words
Mondegreens
Nautical Terms
Old English
Linguistics
Language Evolution
Medical Terms
Idioms
Myths About Language
Collective Nouns
Prefixes and Suffixes
Lost Words
Piracy
Treasure Island
Color Terminology

Jess Zafarris and Rob Watts unravel the stories behind everyday words. Want to watch our episodes too? Subscribe to our YouTube channel: www.youtube.com/channel/UC8R3ZnESMdsuTevq4ib9CvA

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes81Founded2 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
EducationSociety & CultureSelf-Improvement

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Artwork for Words Unravelled

Latest Episodes

Rob and Jess are engaged in another transatlantic war of words, pitting their British and American accents against one another.

šŸ½ļø Why do Brits eat their entrees first?

šŸ‘°šŸ½ Why do Americans pronounce "merry", "marry" and "Mary" the same?

🚿 Why can... more

Rob and Jess are joined by the brilliant John McWhorter to discuss words you're not allowed to use. Professor McWhorter has written extensively about taboos, slurs and profanities and brings his unparalleled expertise on the English language.

🤬 Is... more

What does IKEA mean? What language is HƤagen-Dasz? Who came up with the name Adidas? Why is Danone spelled Dannon in the US? These questions answered, and many more, as Jess and Rob explore the origins of brand names.

Enjoy some more trademark word ... more

YouTube

Jess and Rob are digging into the origins of the words behind some of history’s biggest ideas – from stoicism and cynicism to logic, ethics, and metaphysics. Along the way, they trace how ancient Greek schools of thought shaped the language we still ... more

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Recent Guests

John McWhorter
Linguistics professor and author, expert on language and profanity
Columbia University (assumed)
Episode: Slurs and taboos with Professor John McWhorter
Joshua Blackburn
Creator of the game League of the Lexicon and the book, The Language-Lover's Lexipedia
Episode: Getting quizzed on the quirks of English (with Joshua Blackburn)
Mignon Fogarty
Author, podcaster, educator, and known as Grammar Girl
Grammar Girl
Episode: Exposing grammar myths and mistakes with Grammar Girl

Hosts

Rob Watts
Host of Words Unravelled and long-time creator linked to the YouTube channel Rob Words.
Jess Zafarris
Co-host and author focused on etymology and word origins.

Reviews

4.9 out of 5 stars from 412 ratings
  • You’ve Changed

    Maybe it’s just the recent topics, but you seem to be injecting much more ā€œpolitically correctā€ commentary than you used to = makes the show less entertaining

    Apple Podcasts
    4
    M444ss
    United States24 days ago
  • I know a few words

    Like lake chargoggagoggmanchauggagoggchaubunagungamaugg (45 letters long) or hippopotomonstrosesquippedaliophobia (38 letters long) or pseudopseudohypoparathyroidism (29 or 30 something letters) but this overall is the one of the best podcasts I have heard

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    š“†š•‹š•–š•™ š•—š•£š• š•˜š“†
    United Statesa month ago
  • Love this podcast!

    This podcast is soo fun, I love learning about words! I was wondering about the word Zenzizenzizenzic it describes a number to the 8th power. Where did it come from and why don’t we use it anymore?

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Vi Vi Vi Vi Vi Vi Vi Vi
    United States3 months ago
  • Loving this!

    Thank you for helping rewrite my wee dyslexic brain, the English language is at it. All the best! - Sorry for the bad grammar, I’m working on it. x

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Daryl McCallum
    United Kingdom3 months ago
  • Only Rob, Please!

    I want to like this show more than I do, but I find I can’t listen to it. I love listening to Rob, both on the podcast and his YouTube videos. However, I find the addition of his co-host to ruin the whole thing for me. She sounds like a teenage girl at a girl’s slumber party, prattling and giggling throughout the whole show. I couldn’t tolerate her so I was unfortunately forced to remove this podcast from my list. I’ll keep up with Rob on YouTube—cohost free.

    Apple Podcasts
    2
    BobTheDup
    United States4 months ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Fans say episodes are informative yet entertaining, with a welcoming, cozy vibe.
Some listeners feel the co-host dynamic may not appeal to everyone, preferring a Rob-only format.
Listeners praise the warmth and chemistry between Rob and Jess and the approachable depth of linguistic topics.
Many appreciate the focus on etymology and practical takeaways for branding and writing.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Apple Podcasts
#141
Russia/Society & Culture
Apple Podcasts
#146
Norway/Society & Culture
Apple Podcasts
#178
New Zealand/Society & Culture
Apple Podcasts
#242
Israel/Society & Culture

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Did Shakespeare write all his plays? | THE BARD
Q: So do you think Shakespeare wrote all of his plays?
The hosts discuss their belief that while he likely collaborated with others, he should still receive credit as the main author of the works.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
Interests
Professions
Age Range
Household Income
Social Media Reach

Frequently Asked Questions About Words Unravelled

What is Words Unravelled about and what kind of topics does it cover?

A thoughtful exploration of words, their origins, and how language shapes culture. Hosts Rob Watts and Jess Zafarris unravel etymology, branding, and linguistic quirks across a wide range of topics—from brand-name origins and city names to medical terms and idioms—often weaving humor with accessible explanations. Listeners can expect playful debates, deep dives into word histories, and plenty of practical takeaways for writers, marketers, educators, and curious word-lovers who enjoy learning why language evolves the way it does. A distinctive trait is the friendly dynamic between hosts and their cross-disciplinary angles, which makes complex terms feel approachable without sacrificing depth or wit.

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How many episodes of Words Unravelled are there?

Words Unravelled launched 2 years ago and published 81 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on Words Unravelled?

Recent guests on Words Unravelled include:

1. John McWhorter
2. Joshua Blackburn
3. Mignon Fogarty

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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