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Words Unravelled with RobWords and Jess Zafarris

Words Unravelled with RobWords and Jess Zafarris

By: Words Unravelled with RobWords and Jess Zafarris
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Jess Zafarris and Rob Watts unravel the stories behind everyday words.

Want to watch our episodes too? Subscribe to our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC8R3ZnESMdsuTevq4ib9CvA Rob Watts & Jess Zafarris
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Episodes
  • How could one man write a dictionary? | SAMUEL JOHNSON
    Aug 13 2025
    Samuel Johnson's 1755 dictionary was one heck of an achievement. But it is also far from perfect. In this episode, Jess and Rob discuss some of the more amusing entries within its pages, and even the words that landed dear Samuel in hot water. Enjoy this cover-to-cover exploration of English's most important dictionary and the extraordinary man who wrote it.

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    📘 JESS'S BOOK 📘
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    43 mins
  • Why do pilots sit in a 'cockpit'? | AVIATION WORDS
    Aug 6 2025
    Welcome aboard flight WU321 bound for Etymology Island. In this episode, Rob and Jess take to the skies and soar through the word origins of a multitude of aviation terms.

    ✈️ Is it an 'airplane' or an 'aeroplane'?
    🐓 Why do pilots sit in a 'cockpit'?
    🛩️ Why is English the language of aviation?
    🔠 How did the NATO alphabet come to be?

    These questions answered – and many more – in a high-flying episode of Words Unravelled charting the etymology of flight.

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    47 mins
  • How did currencies get their names? | MONEY WORDS
    Jul 30 2025
    In for a penny, in for a pound: Rob and Jess discuss money word origins in this episode of Words Unravelled.

    💰 Where did the dollar sign come from?
    💷 What is the British currency a pound of?
    🤑 Which goddess is all money named after?

    These questions answered – and many more – in another financially sound episode of Words Unravelled.

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    🎥 WATCH THIS EPISODE: https://youtu.be/iUnj_TSLqgw
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    51 mins
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