Good morning from Perth

Entertaining words for “cool” or “excellent” and, per the The Historical Thesaurus of English, the approximate dates they're first recorded: 1613: topgallant 1666: spanking 1776: ripping 1802: smick-smack 1828: supernacular 1838: lummy (originally probably a variation on "Lord love me") (1/2)

I had an especially good time with this one! In the latest episode of Words Unravelled, @robwords.com and I discuss Latin words and influence in English. www.youtube.com/watch?v=52Gt...

Headed to Perth on Friday! Anyone know of any local foods (or beer!) to try or sights to see? The weather will be dreary, but I don’t mind getting a little soggy for a good experience.

Took me a moment to realize that these are decapitated ant heads. Seems there’s a formic Reign of Terror happening on my patio. Liberté, egalité, myrmexié!

Fable fills up the space I didn’t know I had in my heart 💜

I recently learned that "set-jetting" (a twist on "jet-setting") is a word for travelling to locations seen in popular media, and I absolutely LOVE this as the word choice for this phenomenon that I am absolutely guilty of pursuing/yearning for.

Look at this spooky dude Greek strobilos = pine cone

I think guy gets used now as 'some bloke' because of guy Fawkes... I think I possibly heard @jesszafarris.com say that.

Words Unravelled is often Words Uncensored

Mark Wright@jmarkwrite.bsky.social · last wk.

@jesszafarris.com @robwords.com when Rob pointed out that a sperm whale was basically called a “spunk fish,” I laughed out loud. At my desk. At work. Now I’m embarrassed because I have no intention of telling my colleagues why I was laughing.

It’s no secret that fictional feasts are lovely to read. My favorites are in Redwall and The Hobbit. I love how they serve as both worldbuilding and character development tools by expressing setting (resources), as well as the story’s value judgments around joy, generosity, and community/communion.

I figured out why this dog park has a hose and bucket next to the entrance

I assume this doesn't fall under etymology, but what field of linguistics *would* it belong to? 👀 @jesszafarris.com, @robwords.com, any suggestions?

s. e. smith@sesmith.lol · 2w ago

Has anyone written anything about boomer emoji syntax? (Genuine question not a dunk! My boomer friends use emoji in fascinating and very distinctive ways and I want to learn more.)

Happy international caturday from Wolfgang Amadeus Meowzart!

George The Station Cat@george-station-cat.bsky.social · 2w ago

Happy #InternationalCatDay! Apparently today is dedicated to cats. Lovely idea, although I feel the other 364 days could try harder. 🐈🧡 with treatos A tippetty tap of the paw to every rescue, fosterer, volunteer & kind human helping cats in need. Now… celebratory treatos?

An extremely generous follower got me a few things from my wishlist, including this book. Thanks for making me book-sluttier!

What the fuck, pencils? (I found these in the back of a drawer and have no idea where they came from.)

Sending this out to whoever needs to see it: It's okay if you read slowly, there's no great victory in being able to read quickly, everyone kind of has their own reading speed, and that's perfectly fine. I'm just really happy you're reading. I hope it gives you joy at any pace. Thank you!

My forthcoming book INTO THE WORDS: An Etymologist's Field Guide to Plants, Animals, and Nature got a nice review in @publisherswkly.bsky.social! www.publishersweekly.com/9781399821223

Words Unravelled is ALWAYS a magical thing. But this week, even moreso. FUNFACT: I fell asleep w/headphones when listening the other night & in my dream had an extended conversation w/someone about Aleister Crowley wherein bits of the podcast were spoken verbatim.I watched the whole thing this AM.

Jess Zafarris@jesszafarris.com · 3w ago

What did a warlock originally do? Why do we say abracadabra and open sesame? What's the difference between spells and spelling? Take a pinch of witchcraft, add a touch of sorcery (plus @robwords.com and me), and "Hey presto!" you have a new, wordy nerdy Words Unravelled episode about magical terms.

What did a warlock originally do? Why do we say abracadabra and open sesame? What's the difference between spells and spelling? Take a pinch of witchcraft, add a touch of sorcery (plus @robwords.com and me), and "Hey presto!" you have a new, wordy nerdy Words Unravelled episode about magical terms.

Be sure to stay tuned to the end for a sneak peek at Season 2, with conversations about #Apple, #AI, #climatescience, #etymology, #starlings, #filmmaking, #journalism, #democracy, and the #birds hiding in plain sight. @audubon.org @davidpogue.bsky.social @jesszafarris.com @craignewmark.bsky.social

Birds & Nerds Podcast@birdsandnerds.bsky.social · 3w ago

Bonus episode! Science journalist @inkfish.bsky.social joins host @ramonawritesla.bsky.social to talk animal parents, caregiving, evolution, killer whales, poison frogs—and whether crows and humans can really be friends. Out now on all podcast platforms. Link in bio. #birds #parenting #science

I know this episode is not made specifically for my upcoming English classes, but I will insist to my pupils that it was. youtube.com/watch?v=O5DT... Thanks @jesszafarris.com and @robwords.com

I've waited 49 years to post this on the one appropriate day www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZS7L...

August 2026: There Will Come Soft Rains by Ray Bradbury - BBC Workshop

YouTube video by Rawcritics

youtube.com

Jess Zafarris@jesszafarris.com · 3w ago

My clever friend @thatchristinag.bsky.social pointed out on Linkedin that today, Aug. 4, 2026, is the day on which Ray Bradbury's "There Will Come Soft Rains" takes place. An excellent and short read or re-read for today!

My clever friend @thatchristinag.bsky.social pointed out on Linkedin that today, Aug. 4, 2026, is the day on which Ray Bradbury's "There Will Come Soft Rains" takes place. An excellent and short read or re-read for today!

I’m headed to Australia (!) at the end of this month to close out the State of Social conference with a keynote stuffed with etymology tailored for social pros. We’ll get to the nuts and bolts of brand voice, originality, and what makes words and culture stick together. stateofsocial.com.au

Look. At. Herrrrrrr

Went to the GastroPark in CT and didn’t realize how appropriately I had dressed for it

Does anyone who has $25,000 lying around want to buy this for me?

1 is the loneliest number that you’ll ever do. 2 can be as bad as one… it’s the loneliest number since the number 1. This episode is one for the ages… they seemed to handle them all in one fell swoop… except for uno. Some of these older ones that i know make me feel i have one foot in the grave.

Dærick Gröss@daerickgross.com · 4w ago

hey, word nerds... just watched this Words Unraveled by @robwords.com and @jesszafarris.com with a steady four on the floor pacing, it left me feeling three sheets to the wind and like the five-O was on my tail (ok, i'm stretching but it'll make sense when you watch it). youtu.be/gH0Zz10y9Ek

🥉 Why is the third time a charm? ⛅️ What's so great about "seventh heaven"? 🙃 Why do we say "at sixes and sevens"? Count ‘em! @robwords.com and I explore these numerical idioms and many more in the latest, magnificently mathematical edition of Words Unravelled.