Words Unravelled with RobWords and Jess Zafarris
Words Unravelled with RobWords and Jess Zafarris
SummaryEver wonder why we call a fake clue a red herring, or how the word canvas ended up linguistically tied to cannabis? Join hosts Rob Watts and Jess Zafarris on Words Unravelled, a weekly deep dive into the hidden histories behind the vocabulary we use every day. Whether they are deconstructing the artistic roots of the word easel, exploring how Arabic and Spanish loanwords have shaped the English language, or tracing the evolution of the alphabet from ancient hieroglyphs to the letters on your screen, Rob and Jess make etymology feel like a thrilling detective story. The show goes far beyond dry definitions. Through energetic, conversational episodes, the hosts tackle everything from the punchy origins of rock and roll band names and the theatrical history of slapstick comedy to the complex, shifting nature of modern social taboos. Occasionally joined by special guests like linguist John McWhorter, the pair debunks popular myths, challenges false attributions, and reveals the cultural forces—from trade and science to migration and psychology—that have left their mark on our speech. If you have ever been curious about why our language is full of contradictions, absurdities, and fascinating artifacts of human history, this is the podcast for you. Tune in to peel back the layers of your own vocabulary and discover the secret lives of words.
Updated Jul 8, 2026
Episodes
What does 'Mona Lisa' even mean? | ART WORDS
Discover the surprising origins of artistic terms, from why canvases mean hemp to how an easel translates to donkey.
How did The Beatles get their name? | ROCK 'N' ROLL
Uncover the origin stories behind band names like The Beatles and the etymological evolution of rock and roll.
Spanish words hiding in English
Discover the surprising stories behind common English words that have their origins in Spanish and the Americas.
The origins of the alphabet
Uncover how Egyptian hieroglyphs, ox heads, and ancient Phoenician traders evolved into the English alphabet we use today.
Who should you hit with a 'slapstick'? | COMEDY WORDS
Explore the surprising origins of slapstick, zany, and the evolution of comedy words from ancient antics to today.
The Arabic words hiding in English
Trace the surprising history of common English words that originated from Arabic through trade and science.
What was so "complex" about Oedipus? | PSYCHOLOGY TERMS
Unpack the origins of psychological terms like the Oedipus complex, the id, and other myths behind our inner workings.
Why is a false clue a "red herring"? | IDIOM ORIGINS
Discover why red herring refers to a false clue and trace the surprising origins of other famous common idioms.
Slurs and taboos with Professor John McWhorter
Linguist John McWhorter explores how words evolve into profanity, slurs, and the rise of modern digital taboos.
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