
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
| Publishes | Weekly | Episodes | 76 | Founded | 2 years ago |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Number of Listeners | Categories | EducationSelf-ImprovementSociety & Culture | |||

Why doesn't English have a word for someone who is alive? Or a general term for your aunties and uncles? Should we bring back the word 'uhtceare' from Old English or steal 'Torschlusspanik' from German?
Rob and Jess answer these questions and more a... more
Is necessity the mother of invention? NO! Latin is, etymologically speaking. That's just one of many revelations as Jess and Rob investigates words for innovations.
🛗 Could you 'escalate' something before the escalator?
🍞 When was sliced bread act... more
Rob and Jess are touring the US and the UK in search of the most interesting city name origin stories.
💨 Does 'Chicago' have anything to do with wind?
🗽 Is New York actually named after York?
🚇 Does anyone know what 'London' means?
🏹 And what wa... more
Rob and Jess are going deep undercover to unearth the origins of words from the word of espionage.
🕵️♀️ What's the difference between a SPY, and ASSET, and an AGENT?
🔍 What does ESPIONAGE literally mean?
🇬🇧 Was there ever an MI4 as well MI5 and ... more
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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?
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
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.
I look forward to each show and will try to listen to them as soon as they are released. Keep up the great work!
My go to podcast for travelling and walking the dog. Very easygoing gentle listening and also quick moving so always something of interest every minute. A genuine dynamic from the hosts shines through. Cannot recommend this podcast or their YouTube channel enough
Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.
How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.
YouTube | #186 | |
YouTube | #187 | |
Apple Podcasts | #141 | |
Apple Podcasts | #161 | |
Apple Podcasts | #210 | |
Apple Podcasts | #247 |
Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.
Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.
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A focus on the origins, meanings, and cultural significance of words and phrases shapes the content. Episodes often explore idioms, language quirks, and the evolution of terms across various contexts, appealing to those with a fascination for etymology. The hosts balance humor and education, making complex linguistic ideas accessible and engaging, while also sharing personal anecdotes that enhance their dynamic. Unique topics, such as the etymology of names, slang, and cultural expressions, are regularly featured, fostering a lighthearted atmosphere for both casual listeners and language enthusiasts alike.
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These podcasts share a similar audience with Words Unravelled:
1. The Allusionist
2. Lexicon Valley
3. You're Dead to Me
4. Curious Cases
5. 99% Invisible
Words Unravelled launched 2 years ago and published 76 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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Recent guests on Words Unravelled include:
1. Joshua Blackburn
2. Mignon Fogarty
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