Best Literally What Does That Mean Podcasts (2025)

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Blaze Orange 12:11

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1d ago12:11

12:11

Ah, fall. It’s among my favorite times of year - especially when it comes to the tapestry of colors Especially orange. Except in this week’s episode, the color orange I’m talking about is neither part of that palette, nor is it the new black. This is blaze orange - that particularly vibrant shade worn … to avoid getting shot during hunting season. …

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What does your name mean? | FIRST NAMES EXPLAINED 42:32

7d ago42:32

42:32

Rob and Jess are exploring the origins of first names. 👩 Are all MARYS actually MIRIAMS? 🕵️‍♀️ How can JAMES, IAGO and JACOB be the same? 💡 What do ROBERT and JESSICA mean? These questions answered – and many more – in this nominally fascinating etymological exploration of why we're called what we're called. It's time for Words Unravelled! 👕 OUR ME…

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Are pets called 'pets' because we pet them? | PET WORDS 44:34

8d ago44:34

44:34

In this episode, Rob and Jess dig into the origins of the words we use for our furry, feathered, and occasionally scaly companions. 🐕 Where does the word 'dog' come from? 🐈 What does 'cat' literally mean? 🐹 Are guinea pigs even from Guinea? These questions answered, and many more, in this edition of Words Unravelled dedicated to our beloved pets. W…

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Can a hill be taller than a mountain? | GEOGRAPHY WORDS 39:54

15d ago39:54

39:54

From mountain high to valley low, Rob Watts and Jess Zafarris are exploring the origins of geography words. 🐻‍❄️ Why are the poles called 'poles'? 🗻 What is the difference between a hill and a mountain? 🧭 What do the points of the compass literally mean? These questions answered – and many more – in another worldly, wordy and nerdy episode of Words…

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Move Fast. Break Things 9:11

26d ago9:11

9:11

It’s a famously awful quote used by Mark Zuckerberg in Facebook’s (now Meta) early days. Move fast. Break things. The idea behind it was, allegedly, to spark innovation; to remove obstacles in creativity by giving folks license to make mistakes, to iterate and to charge forward. This IS critical for innovation. Moving forward, moving quickly, not n…

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100 Word Facts... and Rob & Jess meet! 49:03

22d ago49:03

49:03

Internet word nerds RobWords and Jess Zafarris share 100 word facts. They met in person for the first time after Words Unravelled reached 100,000 subscribers on YouTube. Prepare for 49 minutes of pure linguistic geekery. 🎥 WATCH THIS EPISODE: https://youtu.be/uPfbuo6iP6Y 👕 OUR MERCH 👚 US SHOP: https://wordsunravelledshop.myspreadshop.com/ EU/UK SHO…

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Bumper Sticker Judgement 12:34

1M ago12:34

12:34

Judgement. Talk about a gateway to misery. Sure. It may feel satisfying for a hot minute, but just like letting fly with a nasty statement in retaliation when my feelings are hurt, the feeling is fleeting. More to the point, when I’m judging others, it says more about me, than it does about them. After all, who the f*ck am I to judge, anyway? And y…

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Soca In Japan Interview - How It Started, What It Takes And Where Its Going 33:16

1M ago33:16

33:16

By DJ BUZZB & JKD

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In the Woods Where it Happened 9:19

2M ago9:19

9:19

Thing about living in the woods - you get to be the ears present when a tree goes down. Doesn’t just make a sound. Shakes the ground too. Turns out when it’s gone down, it also tells a story. And this week on the podcast, the conversation that ensues. In a world where what passes for radical honesty usually means someone is just letting things fly …

1
That Stinks. Literally. 12:40

2M ago12:40

12:40

I’ve always had the olfactory sense of a Bloodhound. I’d probably have made a superb “nose” for a French perfume company. Having an acute sense of smell is both blessing and curse - it also holds one secret to my masterful skills with dogs and turns out opened up pretty interesting insights about interactions between people. With the sense of smell…

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Who was the first to 'spill the beans'? | IDIOM ORIGINS 44:25

2M ago44:25

44:25

In this episode, Jess and Rob 'spill the beans' about all manner of food-related idioms. 🍌 Why does 'going bananas' mean going mad? ☕️ Who is the Joe in a 'cup of Joe'? 🍏 What did we compare apples to before oranges? 🧅 What does it really mean to 'know your onions'? Answers to these questions and many more as we explore the origins of commons sayin…

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Never Too Tired 2:35

2M ago2:35

2:35

It's basic, and so basically important to those little ones that look at you with awe and wonder - attention and energy are necessary to prosper personally, and to help your children do the same. You got this, sleep well once they're down for the evening.. . and make the most of those few hours you have real FaceTime with your kiddos, Mom.…

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Don't Just Disappear 10:02

2M ago10:02

10:02

I’ll never forget the first time it happened. I was talking with an engineer or coder type at a party. Their cell phone rang. They looked at it, answered it, and walked away without so much as an “excuse me”. In the middle of a sentence. I’d like to say it was the only time it happened. It wasn’t. Sadly this kind of thing happens with more and more…

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Why are we saying 'Caesar' wrong? | TITLES & POWER 43:17

2M ago43:17

43:17

In this episode, Rob and Jess take a right royal romp through the etymologies of eminent titles. They discuss the origins of words like "lord", "emperor", "queen" and a whole host of others: 🏛️ How did Caesar become a title all over Europe? 𓁏 What did 'pharaoh' mean to the ancient Egyptians? 👑 What is the etymology of the word 'king'? 🗳️ What is a …

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What does 'stegosaurus' literally mean? | DINOSAUR NAMES 41:43

2M ago41:43

41:43

We’re digging into prehistoric word origins. In this episode, Jess and Rob unearth the literal meanings behind the names of the dinosaurs. 🦖 What does Tyrannosaurus rex really mean? 🦕 Why is Stegosaurus called the “roof lizard”? 🐦 Are dinosaurs birds or lizards? 🦴 Are dinosaur names Latin or Greek? These questions answered – and many more – in anot…

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Why is England called 'England'? | COUNTRY NAME ORIGINS 42:51

2M ago42:51

42:51

We're taking a world tour of word origins. In this episode, Jess and Rob discuss how a multitude of countries got their names. 🇺🇸 Where was the original "America"? 🇬🇧 Why is Britain called "Great"? 🇨🇦 What does "Canada" mean? 🇩🇪 Why do the Germans call themselves "Dutch"? These questions answered – and many more – in another worldly wise episode of…

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New Baby Means Rocky Sleep - Does Sleep Deprivation Actually Make You Insane - That & More (FBF) 16:57

3M ago16:57

16:57

You will be here, and there isn't anything you can do to prevent it.. .though there are some tips to make it easier. You may just find some comfort in knowing you're not the only one, and it's not forever. New mom life is synonymous with feeling sleep deprived and being up all night - it's not something you think about until you live it. What's goi…

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Why do news anchors talk like that? | JOURNALESE 45:43

3M ago45:43

45:43

BREAKING: Rob and Jess uncover news clichés and weird journalistic words. 📺 Why do TV news anchors talk in that strange way? 🗞️ Why do newspaper journalists spell lead as "lede"? 🎤 Why do journalists use clichés like "on the rise"? 🐊 What is a "knobbly monster"? These questions answered – and many more – in another hot-off-the-press episode of Word…

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The Private Ryan Interview - World-renowned DJ, CEO of Soca Brainwash & Founder of Battalion Music. 2:37:56

3M ago2:37:56

2:37:56

SUBSCRIBE, LIKE, COMMENT & SHARE FOR MORE EPISODES LIKE THIS!By DJ BUZZB & JKD

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How could one man write a dictionary? | SAMUEL JOHNSON 43:05

3M ago43:05

43:05

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…

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Wokeness Creates Weakness 10:14

3M ago10:14

10:14

There’s nothing like a provocative t-shirt to really make my day. I used to have one that said “F*ck Yoga”. The reactions to it were epic. Most folks would look at it, look at me and laugh. Every now and again someone would get utterly twisted up with me about it and I’d tell them two things: It’s a fucking t-shirt. The t-shirt originated from a YO…

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Why do pilots sit in a 'cockpit'? | AVIATION WORDS 47:23

3M ago47:23

47:23

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 …

1
The Last Time 5:58

3M ago5:58

5:58

One of the most beautiful poems. Powerful enough to centre you around love and appreciation on your motherhood journey. The Last TimeBy Kelly Dinning

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Boundaries ARE Freedom 11:42

3M ago11:42

11:42

Remember when you were a kid in school and some unruly kid couldn’t mind the rules and as a result the entire class faced consequences? Everyone being hit with staying late, extra homework, pop quizzes. I sure do. It sucked. DISCLAIMER - I’m not talking about kids who may have had undiagnosed situations that weren’t properly understood; who’d have …

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How did currencies get their names? | MONEY WORDS 50:31

3M ago50:31

50:31

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. 🏆 VOTE FOR US 🏆 …

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Ignorance or Stupidity? 9:58

4M ago9:58

9:58

I don’t know about you but I’m of the generation where calling someone “stupid” resulted in varying levels of punishment. In my house the word was tantamount to the F-bomb. Funny how it seems lately that everyone is pointing fingers and calling other people just that. But is it really stupidity? Or is it ignorance? Truth is, in many cases it’s the …

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Does English use the wrong word for clouds? | WEATHER WORDS 43:10

4M ago43:10

43:10

Jess and Rob have got their heads in the clouds, exploring the origins of our words for weather. ☄️ Why don't meteorologists deal with meteors? ☁️ How are we using the wrong word for 'cloud'? ☔️ What was the original 'raincheck'? 🤬 Why does Jess hate the word 'petrichor'? These questions answered, and many more, in this etymological meteorological …

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Exposing grammar myths and mistakes with Grammar Girl 45:25

4M ago45:25

45:25

Is it "on accident" or "by accident"? Should "red, white, and blue" have that second comma? Is "10 items or less" okay? Jess and Rob are joined by the internet's Grammar Girl, Mignon Fogarty, to examine some common grammatical myths and mistakes. 🥳 Is it wrong to use "fun" as an adjective? 🏎️ Is "drive SLOW" bad grammar? (or just a flat adverb?) 🥃 …

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HEY HONEY 9:35

4M ago9:35

9:35

LISTEN CLOSELY TO THIS EPISODE AND YOU'LL HEAR A SECRET SOUND :) One of the more hokey sayings in transformational leadership training is we are human BEings, not human DOings. It’s a cheeky way to tell people to chill the f*ck out, be present and pay attention. Boy did that generate a whole bunch of eye rolling for me when I began my own personal …

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No Bad Dogs 8:45

4M ago8:45

8:45

One of the most irritating cliches in dog training is this - there are no bad dogs, only bad owners. Talk about trying to shame people into changing their behavior. And shame as a lever for shifting how folks behave has worked … never. At least not with anything remotely resembling a healthy change. That said, there are dogs that may behave “badly”…

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Hierarchical Thinking is Bullsh*t 9:23

5M ago9:23

9:23

Disclosure - the idea of this podcast episode isn’t new. It’s the Peter Principle. What is new is looking at the concept of rising to a level of incompetence’s flaw, as seen through the naturally occurring order in a group of wolves. In a world where what passes for radical honesty usually means someone is just letting things fly outta their pie-ho…

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Why is English full of French words? 48:46

5M ago48:46

48:46

Bienvenue dans cet épisode de "Mot Décortiqué"! Rob and Jess are exploring the enormous influence French has had on the English language. 📊What proportion of English words are French? 🥩Why do our meats have French names? 🇫🇷Which words have we borrowed from French twice? These questions answered and many, many more in another merveilleux, fabuleux W…

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Thought You Knew Something Hey - The Bundle Of New Skills Motherhood Delivers 22:46

5M ago22:46

22:46

Picture this, you wake up in the morning, pee on a stick, know full well you're pregnant, and hey, how exciting! I bet you also feel like you've got this next chapter handled.. .well, motherhood delivers, a full whooping, full of flattery and un-flattery, lessons from beyond the book, and a whole lot of wholesome knowledge and skills that no one ca…

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Feedback 9:59

5M ago9:59

9:59

There’s a line in the film “A Few Good Men” where Tom Cruise’s character, a lawyer, demands the “truth” of Jack Nicholson, a General who’s on a witness stand. “The TRUTH!?” Nicholson bellows. “YOU CAN’T HANDLE THE TRUTH!” Feedback. It's a bastardized concept in society today and that’s a shame. Because feedback is a privilege. Feedback - a neutrall…

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Precisely how long is a 'moment'? | TIME WORDS 41:26

5M ago41:26

41:26

Jess and Rob present a brief history of time words in an episode filled with chronological etymology. ⌚️ How did "seconds" get their name? 🕰️ What does "clock" literally mean? 🇫🇷 How did France's decimal calendar work? These questions answered – and so many more – in this timely episode of Words Unravelled. Our mythology episode: https://youtu.be/b…

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Leadership = Relationships = Trust 8:28

5M ago8:28

8:28

Nothing like mass market exploitation of words to render them near useless. Let’s take “leadership” for example. Bandied about mercilessly these days, and somehow what the word even MEANS has been lost. It’s simple - leadership is about RELATIONSHIPS, and in order for those to exist, you have to have TRUST. So, put simply - No trust. No leadership.…

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What was the original "blockbuster"? | MOVIE WORDS 46:28

5M ago46:28

46:28

Lights, camera, action! Rob and Jess are discussing movie and TV terms in this filmic episode of Words Unravelled. 🎥 Why do Brits call movies "films"? 🤷🏼‍♂️ Why has Allen Smithee directed so many terrible movies? 🙀 Why is there a "dead cat" on every Hollywood set? These questions answered, and many more, in this episode crammed with film and televi…

1
Clarity 7:54

5M ago7:54

7:54

In a world where what passes for radical honesty usually means someone is just letting things fly outta their pie-hole without much care for others, it’s time for radically authentic conversation. Conscious communication is simple, but often isn’t easy. That’s why Cathy Brooks created Talk, Unleashed – a weekly podcast of radically honest conversat…

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How can you tell a bug from a beetle? | ENTOMOLOGY ETYMOLOGY 41:59

5M ago41:59

41:59

Time for some entomology etymology! Rob and Jess will have you in bits as they explore the literal meaning of "insect" and all manner of other term for creepy crawly. 🕷️ Why do spiders spin "cobwebs"? 🦋 Was a butterfly ever a "flutterby"? 🐞 Which is older, "ladybug" or "ladybird"? These questions answered, and many more, a critter-crammed episode o…

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FOMO and Grief 8:41

6M ago8:41

8:41

I’ve talked before on the podcast about FOMO - the Fear of Missing Out. How interesting it is that people will go so far as to co-opt other people’s drama, misery and grief just in order to be in line with whatever meme or topic is hot at the time. Yeah, when you think of it that way it sounds pretty awful. But is it? Or is it just another sign tha…

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Why is the Pope "the daddy"? | HOLY WORDS 39:52

5M ago39:52

39:52

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…

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Afraid of the Dark 8:06

6M ago8:06

8:06

Oh the irony. We are taught - largely through entertainment and media sources - that monsters come in the dark. To be afraid. Be alert and know that danger lurks around every corner. Why irony? Because the truth is that the darkness isn’t danger. Usually that danger IS human-driven and the reality is that we NEED darkness. To reset our bodies, to r…

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Why do Brits think 'pants' are underwear? | CLOTHING WORDS 39:03

6M ago39:03

39:03

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…

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You Are The Boss - Promote Yourself, Mom 4:03

6M ago4:03

4:03

Have you ever sipped a cup of coffee, looked out over your spotless living room and non-catastrophe of a kitchen, and thought - hey - I'm doing great, this month I deserve a bonus. Or, have you thought the opposite - this place looks like..*&^%$ .and I feel like I'm not managing my business very well - help. Either way this episode is for you, welc…

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Loose Leash Walking - Kind of. 9:24

6M ago9:24

9:24

It’s among the most frequently sought after and common asks for any dog trainer: "How the f*ck do I get my dog to walk NICELY on the leash?" Loose leash walking. It’s a critical skill. And that’s not what this episode is about, really. It’s about the concept of attachment and obligation - “no strings attached” - which typically isn’t actually the c…

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Why is there an N in "passenger"? | TRANSPORTATION 43:26

6M ago43:26

43:26

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 …

1
Delivering Happiness 8:32

6M ago8:32

8:32

If your goal in life is to be happy, I hate to break it to you, but your life is going to be pretty f*cked up. Because happiness isn’t goal. It’s a feeling. And feelings are not permanent. They shift. They change. They’re always in motion. So if the goal is a thing that doesn’t stick, I’m always going to be in some state of dissatisfaction, of fail…

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Why were hatters mad? | IDIOM ORIGINS 50:01

6M ago50:01

50:01

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…