Holy heck! Rob and Jess are back with an episode of biblical proportions. Join them as they get to the gospel truth about the origins of religious words. ⛪️ What was kept in the very first chapel? 🦛 Which animal was the original behemoth? 🗝️ Where does the word "conclave" come from? These questions answered – and many more – in another Words Unrave…

Jess and Rob are unravelling the origins of our words for fabric and clothing in this highly fashionable episode of Words Unravelled. 🩲 Why do 'pants' mean different things in the UK and US? 👖 Which city are your jeans named after? 🪶 What's flappy about a 'flapper girl'? ✈️ Is 'nylon' really named after New York and London? These questions answered…

It's time to hit the road with Rob and Jess as they journey through the origins of words from road and rail. 🚃 Why do Brits say "transport" and Americans "transportation"? 🚊 What's the difference between a train and a locomotive? 🚙 How do you actually pronounce Hyundai? These questions answered – and many more – in this transport[ation] special of …

Rob and Jess "pull out all the stops" in this episode explaining idiom origins. ✈️ Why do we say "balls to the wall" and "push the envelope"? 🐘 What's so useless about a "white elephant"? 👕 Where were the original "whole nine yards"? These questions answered and many more in this common sayings special of Words Unravelled. Here's our other idioms e…

Let's explore British English and American English. In another transatlantic war of words, Rob (a Brit) and Jess (an American) debate the differing words for the same things either side of the pond. For our new Channel Memberships click "Join" just below the video. Our previous 🇺🇸 vs. 🇬🇧 episode 📺 https://youtu.be/o6KlBd7TPFI?si=EHmBIMV3PatoSQi9 🔊 …

We're back for a new 🇬🇧series/🇺🇸season of Words Unravelled. In this episode, transatlantic word nerds Rob and Jess tackle the truth and lies surrounding Williams Shakespeare. ✍️ Did the Bard really invent 1,700 words? 🤬 Which insults did Willy give us? 🎭 Could he actually have written all of those plays? These questions answered and many more, just…

There's fightin' talk in this episode of Words Unravelled, in which Jess and Rob discuss words of warcraft. 🔫 Which woman are all guns named after? 🪖 Where does the word "war" come from? 👮 Is lieutenant pronounced loo-tenant or lef-tenant? These questions answered – and many more – in this military etymology special of Words Unravelled. 👕 OUR MERCH…

On Bravo's Hot Mic Podcast, Lisa Vanderpump talks to producer Alex Baskin about the upcoming Vanderpump Rules reboot, her thoughts on James Kennedy, possibility of reconciling with Kyle Richards, whether she'll return to The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills, and more. On Bravo's Hot Mic Podcast, Vanderpump Rules and The Real Housewives of Beverly H…

In this printing special of Words Unravelled, Jess proves herself a font of knowledge on names for typefaces and Rob makes a bit impression with the history of the printing press. 🆎 What's the difference between a font and a typeface? 😈 Who was the printer's devil? 📖 How did the printing press ruin English spelling? These questions answered — and m…

On Bravo's Hot Mic Podcast, Jeff Lewis talks about how his Flipping Out series, why the show was successful, his popular radio show, Bravolebrity feuds with Heather Dubrow, Brynn Whitfield and Teresa Giudice, and more. On Bravo's Hot Mic Podcast, Jeff Lewis talks about how his Flipping Out series was birthed (0:16), his biggest character flaw as a …

It's here: the much-requested swearing episode of Words Unravelled. Join Rob and Jess as they explore the origins of all manner of profanity. #️⃣ Where did the F word come from? 📍 Which place names originally contained swear words? 📺 What are the worst words you can say on TV? These questions answered, and many more, in this NSFW edition of Words U…

On Bravo's Hot Mic Podcast, The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills' Bozoma Saint John sits down with Producer Alex Baskin to talk about her storied business career, why she wanted to join the cast of RHOBH, her thoughts on Kyle Richards and Sutton Stracke, her surprising friendship with Dorit Kemsley, and more. On Bravo's Hot Mic Podcast, The Real Ho…

Welcome to another bloomin' wonderful episode of Words Unravelled. This time, Rob and Jess are discussing the origins of all manner of flower name. 🌻Which flower makes you wet the bed? 👁️Which flower's name means "day's eye"? 🌹What is the origin of the word rose? 🥒What did Jess name her cucumber plant? These questions answered - and many more - in …

Who wants to learn how to talk pretty? In this episode, Rob and Jess explore the clever tricks used by poets, novelists and speechwriters to surprise, move and persuade us. Join them as they discuss rhetoric and literary devices. 😉 What are the three types of irony? ❓Do you now an anaphora from an epistrophe? 🤷🏼‍♀️ Why is tmesis so un-flippin'-beli…

On Bravo's Hot Mic Podcast, The Valley's Jax Taylor discusses his battle with drug addiction and current sobriety journey, his relationship with Brittany Cartwright, memories from his Vanderpump Rules days, and more. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.…

Let's discuss the etymology of the body from "head" to "toe". Join Rob and Jess on an adventure through anatomical word origins. 👅 Why is tongue spelt that way? 🍎 What did we originally call our Adam's apple? 🍆 How did our naughty bits get their names? These questions answered and many more in a body-positive episode of Words Unravelled. 👕 OUR NEW …

Let this episode be music to your ears as Rob Watts and Jess Zafarris explore the melodic origins of all manner of musical words. 👦 Which instrument used to be called a "ho boy"? 🎤 What does "karaoke" literally mean? 🎷 Who is the saxophone named after? 🎶 How good is Rob's theremin impression? These questions answered, and many more in another Words…

On Bravo's Hot Mic Podcast, The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills’ Denise Richards sits down with Alex Baskin to discuss how she initially joined the RHOBH, her new show Denise Richards & Her Wild Things, guest appearances including a surprise cameo from ex-hubby Charlie Sheen, and more. On Bravo's Hot Mic Podcast, The Real Housewives of Beverly Hil…

Join Rob and Jess as they explore the origins of a myriad of mathematical terms and innumerable number words. 💯 What number was the original "hundred"? ♾️ What is the infinity symbol called? 🕚 Why does English have weird words for 11 and 12? These questions answered - and numerous others - in an incalculably fun episode of Words Unravelled. WATCH T…

Rob and Jess are on the wrong side of the law in this criminal episode of Words Unravelled. Join them as they discuss the origins of all manner of words for felony, misdemeanour and malfeasance. 🏴‍☠️ What is so black about blackmail? 🏚️ What is the "burg" in burglary? 💰 What's the difference between "robbery" and "theft"? 🎩 What Victorian prison sl…

On Bravo's Hot Mic Podcast, The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills' Kyle Richards sits down with Alex Baskin to discuss spending time with estranged husband Mauricio Umansky, how fame affected her marriage, the text controversy with PK and Dorit Kemsley, and more. On Bravo's Hot Mic Podcast, RHOBH's Kyle Richards sits down with Alex Baskin to discuss…

In this episode, Rob and Jess debunk some myths about the origins of common sayings, and prevent the even more fascinating true stories behind the idioms we use day-to-day. 🔴 Who was the first to "paint the town red"? 🌩️ How can someone's "thunder" be "stolen"? 🐕 What's the (horrible) origin of "to screw the pooch"? 🥃 Where did the phrase "on the w…

On Bravo's Hot Mic Podcast, The Valley's Kristen Doute and fiancé Luke Broderick discuss the challenges of joining The Valley, Kristen's Vanderpump Rules controversy, Jax Taylor and Brittany Cartwright drama, their pregnancy journey, and more. On Bravo's Hot Mic Podcast, The Valley's Kristen Doute and fiancé Luke Broderick discuss the challenges of…

The Real Housewives of New York City’s Dorinda Medley sits down with Alex Baskin to discuss how she joined the show, dealing with criticism, her current relationships with Ramona Singer and Sonja Morgan, the iconic Blue Stone Manor, and more. On Bravo’s Hot Mic Podcast, The Real Housewives of New York City’s Dorinda Medley sits down with Alex Baski…

On Bravo’s Hot Mic Podcast, PK Kemsley and Mauricio Umansky discuss their bromance (7:48), PK’s sobriety journey (13:20), the impact being on TV has had on their marriages (19:22), regrets with joining RHOBH (26:00), how they leveraged the show to support their businesses (29:52), and whether or not they can work through their separations (35:07). …

Join Rob and Jess for a festive feast of Christmas etymology. 🎅🏼 Is Santa Claus an Americanism? 🎩 Who was Sir Christmas? 🦌 How did the Santa's reindeer get their names? 🎶 Is it "four calling birds" or "four colly birds"? These questions answered and many more as we deck the halls with linguistic intrigue in another episode of Words Unravelled. 👀WAT…

Let's explore our words for jobs, professions and trades. 🪵What did carpenters originally make? 🐐Which animal did butchers originally butcher? 💩Where did a "gong farmer" actually farm? 🛒What is so gross about a grocer? These questions answered and many more in another Words Unravelled with RobWords and Jess Zafarris. 👀WATCH THIS EPISODE👀 https://yo…

On Bravo’s Hot Mic Podcast, Lindsay Hubbard talks about how Kyle Cooke led to her Summer House casting, her theory on how Carl Radke handled their break up, falling in love again, her pregnancy, and much more. On Bravo’s Hot Mic Podcast, Lindsay Hubbard talks about how she was cast on Summer House (02:53), dating Everett during Season 1 and relivin…

Join Rob and Jess for a period as they get straight to the point about punctuation. 🏛️ Which punctuation mark came first? 💀 How can you punctuate sarcasm? ❓ Why does a question mark look like that? These questions answered - and many more - in another punctilious episode of Words Unravelled. 👀WATCH THIS EPISODE👀 https://youtu.be/DLBBiY5w8qM…

Time to bust some jargon in another Words Unravelled. In this episode, Rob and Jess wade their way through the sea of business speak and legalese. 🦍Which joke created the "800-pound gorilla" 🪶Is all jargon a modern invention? 🏛️What do legal Latin phrases literally mean? These questions answered and many more in another wordy nerdy episode of Words…

On Bravo's Hot Mic Podcast, The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills' Dorit Kemsley discusses her decision to return for another season of RHOBH, her up and down relationship with Kyle Richards, the status of her separation with PK and much more. Dorit Kemsley discusses her decision to return for another season of RHOBH (00:18), her up and down relatio…

In this playful episode of Words Unravelled, Rob and Jess dive into the fascinating world of fun and games. Ever wondered why we call it "chess" or how "poker" got its name? From the origins of classic card games to the strategic world of board games, our hosts uncover the surprising stories behind the words we use for play. ♠️ Who is the Jack in a…

On Bravo’s Hot Mic Podcast, Vanderpump Rules alum and The Valley star Jax Taylor sits down with Alex Baskin to talk about his pending divorce from Brittany Cartwright, his battle with mental health, the new season of The Valley and much more. Jax Taylor talks about the moment he caught Brittany Cartwright dating his friend Julian (1:36), his mental…

❗️HEADS UP❗️ This episode includes much alcohol talk 🍻 Rob and Jess are getting a round in at the bar in this episode crammed with boozy etymology. Let's explore the origins of our words for beers, wines and spirits, and delve into the stories behind the names of cocktails. 🍺 Where does the word "beer" come from? 🍹 How did the "negroni" get its nam…

On Bravo’s Hot Mic podcast, The Valley star and Vanderpump Rules alum Brittany Cartwright chats about her marriage and separation from Jax Taylor, moments she regrets in her career, dating and having more children and much more! Brittany Cartwright speaks on her marriage to Jax Taylor and the challenges their relationship faced during Season 1 of T…

In this episode of Words Unravelled, Rob and Jess explore woodland words. Join us to to uncover the extraordinary origins of names for forest flora and fauna. 📕 Which trees are books named after? 🦔 Which animal is the "hedgehog of the sea"? 🦡 What does it actually mean to be "badgered"? These questions answered, and many more, in another Words Unra…

🤔 Where do our emotions come from? In this episode of Words Unravelled, Rob and Jess dive deep into the fascinating origins of the words we use to express how we feel! From the familiar words like "sad," "mad," and "glad," to the more complex emotions of feeling "mortified" or "envious," we explore the linguistic history that shaped these terms and…

Send us a text In this last installment of The Fairy Ring Podcast, shift to a silver shore with a crystal lighthouse where bodies of shadow and light drink clouds and sea foam. At the top of the lighthouse, an angel waits to offer you a choice. 🌊🪽 7:44 — meditation narrative begins *The Fairy Ring Podcast will be going on a hiatus. Thank you for li…

In this episode of Words Unravelled, Rob and Jess dig into the spooky origins of Halloween words. From 'ghosts' and 'ghouls' to 'warlocks' and 'witches', they uncover the hauntingly fascinating roots of supernatural lingo. 🐺 What is the 'were' in werewolf? 🧌 Why is there a 'monster' in 'demonstrate'? 🦇 What does 'vampire' literally mean? These cree…

In this episode of Words Unravelled, Rob and Jess explore the fascinating stories behind the names of the elements of the periodic table. From gods and mythological creatures to places and famous scientists, discover how history, language, and culture have shaped the names we use in chemistry today. 💨Why does oxygen have the wrong name? 🧌Which elem…

In this pulchritudinous episode of Words Unravelled, Rob and Jess discuss the longest words in English and beyond: from antidisestablishmentarianism to opado­temacho­selacho­galeo­kranio­leipsano­drim­hypo­trimmato­silphio­karabo­melito­katakechy­meno­kichl­epi­kossypho­phatto­perister­alektryon­opte­kephallio­kigklo­peleio­lagoio­siraio­baphe­trag…

In this episode, Jess and Rob sling some mud as they explore the etymology of insults. 🐳 Does "dork" mean what people say it means? 🤬 Which was Shakespeare's rudest character? 🍆 What exactly is a "plonker"? These dastardly questions answered - and many more - in another Words Unravelled! 🎥WATCH THIS EPISODE: https://youtu.be/60VKgSd3wM0 📕JESS'S BOO…

In this episode, Rob and Jess dive headfirst into the topsy-turvy world of palindromes: words, phrases, and numbers that read the same backward and forward. From the humble "wow" to a mind-boggling 1,300-word monster, we've got the subject covered from top to bottom (and back to front). 🔁 What's the longest known palindrome? 🔁 What's the oldest we'…

Take a walk on the wild side with Rob and Jess as they explore animal etymologies. 🐻Why were we too scared to give bears a proper name? 🐶Why don't we know where the word "dog" came from? 👻Which animal is the "ghost" of the jungle? These questions answered - and many more - in another Words Unravelled. THANKS to Martyn Williams for editing this epis…

In this episode of Words Unravelled, hosts Rob and Jess dive into the fascinating world of etymology, uncovering the surprising origins of everyday words rooted in ancient mythology. 🔍 Where did the first "clue" lead? ⚡ Which god literally inspires "panic"? 🎭 And what is the tragic tale behind "echo"? From the tales of Greek gods to Norse legends, …

How can "cleave" mean both to separate AND to join together? Find out in this episode about contronyms and all manner of other -onyms! Jess and Rob delve into demonyms, retronyms, allonyms, eponyms, aptonyms and caconyms. They explain what they are and why on earth they all exist. 🇬🇧 Why are some Londoners also called Cockneys? 🧔🏼‍♂️ Are sideburns …

In this episode of Words Unravelled, Rob and Jess explore the delicious origins of our words for foods. They delve into the etymology of "dinner", "lunch" and all manner of mealtime, and ask whether "vegetables" technically even exist. As usual, there are one or two saucy stories to be told too (wait 'til you hear what "vanilla" actually means...).…

Discover the fascinating world of "fossil words" with Rob and Jess on Words Unravelled! 🌍📚 In this episode, our hosts delve into the history and evolution of words that have stood the test of time but are no longer in common use. ❓What is a "petard" and how can you be "hoist" by yours? ❓What does the shrift in "give short shrift" mean? ❓Who were th…

In this edition of Words Unravelled, Rob and Jess resurrect some long lost words. We promise not to leave you gremed, overmirthed, nor cursed with the mulligrubs as we explore a hubble-shubble of archaic and obsolete vocabulary from centuries past. 🎥 WATCH EPISODE: https://youtu.be/_tW9pfCqIgY ==LINKS== Rob's YouTube channel: youtube.com/robwords J…

Send us a text In this sixth chapter of the fairy ring, your body is transformed by the Goddess Isis into a creature who can swim and breathe deep within the ocean and explore an ancient underwater city. In a second-person narrative, you travel to the bottom of the sea to a coral temple filled with violet light. In this sacred space, you meet a fam…