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Artwork for Words Unravelled

Words Unravelled with RobWords and Jess Zafarris

Words Unravelled with RobWords and Jess Zafarris
Etymology
English Language
Language
Punctuation
Idioms
Language Evolution
Egg Corns
Old English
Grammar
Nautical Terms
Malapropisms
Fossil Words
Anatomy
Palindromes
Mondegreens
Body Parts
William Shakespeare
Dinosaurs
Dogs
Collective Nouns

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

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes90Founded2 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
Society & CultureEducationSelf-Improvement

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Artwork for Words Unravelled

Latest Episodes

Why is it called "Rock and Roll"? Who came up with "The Beatles"? Which bands took their names from literature? Rob and Jess are answering all manner of musical etymological question in this off-beat episode of Words Unravelled.

👕 OUR MERCH 👚

US S... more

YouTube

¡Hablas más español de lo que crees! You speak more Spanish than you think! In this episode, Rob and Jess are exploring the Spanish words that have entered English both sides of the Atlantic.

🤠 Which words entered English in the old West?

🐴 Which ... more

Let's explore the mysteries of our weird alphabet. Rob and Jess are joined by Danny Bate, author of Why Q Needs U, to discuss where our letters came from and why they make the noises they make.

🅰️ How was A originally an ox?

𝑄 Why does Q always app... more

YouTube

Rob and Jess are guffawing their way through a world of comedic words.

🎭 What does 'comedy' literally mean?

🤡 Who should you hit with a 'slapstick'?

🥄 What was a spoof? (It's not a type of spoon)

These questions answered, and many many more, in... more

Key Facts

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Number of Listeners
Find out how many people listen to this podcast per episode and each month.

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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 Rob Words (YouTube channel); focuses on word origins, etymology, and curious linguistic histories.
Jess Zafarris
Co-host and etymology author; provides research-backed insights and explores word origins with a broad cultural lens.
Robert Watts
Identity used across variations of Rob Watts; host of etymology-focused conversations.

Reviews

4.9 out of 5 stars from 450 ratings
  • A comforting joy. It's like hearing very kind and smart friends chat over coffee (or tea).

    Podcast Addict
    5
    Gobi Italic
    2 months ago
  • Scratches my Balderdash and Piffle itch.

    Jess and Rob work well together. Love hearing the roots of words we use today.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Pommster
    Australia2 months ago
  • You’ve Changed

    Maybe it’s just the recent topics, but you seem to be injecting much more “politically correct” commentary than you used to = makes the show less entertaining

    Apple Podcasts
    4
    M444ss
    United States3 months 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
    𓆏𝕋𝕖𝕙 𝕗𝕣𝕠𝕘𓆏
    United States3 months 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 States5 months ago

Listeners Say

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

Sometimes divisive topics surface; overall, the show remains thoughtful and engaging.
Keeps language fun and accessible without jargon overload.
Engaging, informative, and welcoming for word nerds.
Great chemistry between hosts and insightful etymology explorations.
Consistently high-quality, well-researched linguistics content.

Chart Rankings

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

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 warm, approachable deep-dive into word origins, language history, and etymology. The show blends scholarly roots with playful banter as two hosts trace how everyday terms, brand names, city names, and cultural phrases evolved across languages and centuries. Episodes cover topics from Arabic influence on English to spoofed phrases in pop culture, often debunking myths while highlighting insightful connections between language, history, and society. Noteworthy are the accessible explanations, cross-continental perspectives, and a consistent emphasis on curiosity and clarity that makes linguistics feel welcoming to both casual listeners and word nerds.

Where can I find podcast stats for Words Unravelled?

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How many listeners does Words Unravelled get?

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How many subscribers and views does Words Unravelled have?

To see how many followers or subscribers Words Unravelled has on Spotify and other platforms such as Castbox and Podcast Addict, simply upgrade your account. You'll also find viewership figures for their YouTube channel if they have one.

Which podcasts are similar to Words Unravelled?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Words Unravelled:

1. A Way with Words - language, linguistics, and callers from all over
2. The Allusionist
3. Lexicon Valley
4. Lingthusiasm - A podcast that's enthusiastic about linguistics
5. You're Dead to Me

How many episodes of Words Unravelled are there?

Words Unravelled launched 2 years ago and published 90 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

How do I contact Words Unravelled?

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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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