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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 Personal Development Personal Success Social Sciences World
Episodes
  • What does 'espionage' actually mean? | SECRETS & SPIES

    What does 'espionage' actually mean? | SECRETS & SPIES
    Jan 21 2026

    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 MI6?
    These questions answered – and many more – in a supremely secretive episode of Words Unravelled.

    🎥 Dr Geoff Lindsey's COVERT vid: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NeHRN6GlNOs

    👕 OUR MERCH 👚
    US SHOP: https://wordsunravelledshop.myspreadshop.com/
    EU/UK SHOP: https://wordsunravelledshop.myspreadshop.net/
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    42 mins
  • What did the first internet troll write? | TECH WORDS

    What did the first internet troll write? | TECH WORDS
    Jan 14 2026

    Rob and Jess are talking tech! In this episode, they explore the linguistic origins of terms from technology, Sci-fi and the internet.
    🧌 Who was the first internet troll?
    🤖 What does 'robot' literally mean?
    🔫 Does Jedi actually mean something?
    ⌨️ Are we pronouncing 'meme' correctly?
    These questions answered, and a whole lot more, in an extra nerdy episode of Words Unravelled.

    🚨ROBWORDS LIVE🚨
    Ticket: https://www.ucl.ac.uk/bloomsbury-theatre/events/2026/apr/evening-etymology-rob-words

    👕 OUR MERCH 👚
    US SHOP: https://wordsunravelledshop.myspreadshop.com/
    EU/UK SHOP: https://wordsunravelledshop.myspreadshop.net/

    🎥 WATCH THIS EPISODE: https://youtu.be/vrZwAuQ6X0c
    Show More Show Less
    48 mins
  • What is the 'Nocebo Effect'? | MEDICAL TERMS EXPLAINED

    What is the 'Nocebo Effect'? | MEDICAL TERMS EXPLAINED
    Jan 7 2026

    Rob and Jess are taking a surgical look at words from the world of medicine.
    💊 What is the Nocebo Effect?
    🩺 Are doctors named after leeches (or the other way round)?
    🚑 What does "ambulance" literally mean?
    These questions answered, and many more, in another wordy nerdy episode of Words Unravelled.

    👕 OUR MERCH 👚
    US SHOP: https://wordsunravelledshop.myspreadshop.com/
    EU/UK SHOP: https://wordsunravelledshop.myspreadshop.net/

    👀 WATCH THIS EPISODE: https://youtu.be/KVFMuOBPjNs
    Show More Show Less
    47 mins
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