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Tag Archives: Language
Is this a rhetorical question? | RHETORIC & LITERARY DEVICES
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. ๐ … Continue reading
How did our naughty bits get their names? | BODY ETYMOLOGY
[…] Let’s discuss the etymology of the body from “head” to “toe”. Join Rob and Jess on an adventure through anatomical word origins. ๐ Why is tongue spelt that way? ๐ What did we originally call our Adam’s apple? ๐ … Continue reading
The Dark Histories Behind Your Favorite Scary Words (Interview with Jess Zafarris)
24 Oct 2023 Grammar Girl Podcast, Full Episodes What’s the difference between terror and horror? Why was the word for “bear” so scary that it is lost to history? Jess Zafarris, author of “Words from Hell,” goes through these stories … Continue reading
What’s the difference between a violin and a fiddle? | MUSIC WORDS
Let this episode be music to your ears as Rob Watts and Jess Zafarris explore the melodic origins of all manner of musical words. ๐ฆ Which instrument used to be called a “ho boy”? ๐ค What does “karaoke” literally mean? … Continue reading
Did the Mormons invent a better alphabet?
[…] Did you know the Mormons invented their own alphabet? As did Benjamin Franklin. Many people have tried and failed to end the fiasco that is English spelling. In this video I explore five such attempts. ๐COOL TSHIRTS: https://robwords.com/shop โญ๏ธPATREON … Continue reading