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Some of the most ordinary words in English have origins that no one can explain. Among them: "dog", "big", "bird", "donkey", "boy", "girl" and "puzzle". In this episode, let's trace their earliest appearances, explore the theories behind them, and unravel why these everyday words became some of our language's greatest mysteries. The English words nobody can explain | 23:24 RobWords | 887K subscribers | 478,352 views | December 6, 2025 YouTube transcript (below) reformatted at textformatter.ai

You can learn an awful lot about human psychology by walking your dog. It’s where human and canine instincts collide in a daily tangle of projection and foibles. Take my oldest dog. She’s a mongrel with a keen nose for the weird and the wonderful, and she has always been a little… finely tuned. Given I’m about to tell you that you can learn a lot about an owner from a dog, I should stress that this is not always the case. My dogs’ good qualities are obviously down to me, or at least the fruits of my training, but...

The car world is taking a long look at its EV offerings as major brands decide to kill off some of the very models that, just a few years ago, were touted as the way forward for automakers. With a new administration, slashed tax incentives for EVs, and wonky pricing, tariffs, and inflation, some surprising cuts are being made. Checking in on the state of EVs with Art Wheaton, automotive expert and director of labor studies at Cornell University ILR School in Buffalo, New York, he confirmed in a recent call, “It’s a brutal market. And the current administration isn’t...

A grandfather and his 3-month-old granddaughter were found dead in their Tennessee home — apparently mauled to death by the family’s pack of pit bulls that were known to terrorize the neighborhood. The lifeless body of James Alexander Smith, 50, was found inside the Tullahoma home Wednesday afternoon while the tiny tot was still being attacked by their 7 dogs, all of which police had to gun down to reach the bloodied victims, according to the 14th Judicial District Attorney General. The infant had tragically died by the time cops fought their way to her. Authorities are now investigating whether...

Most modern dog breeds have small amounts of wolf ancestry from long after dogs were domesticated, according to a new study. The wolf DNA isn't left over from when dogs and wolves diverged; instead, it most likely came from interbreeding in the past few thousand years. That wolfish influence may be linked to certain characteristics, such as size and personality traits, in different dog breeds, researchers reported Nov. 24 in the journal PNAS. "Dogs are our buddies, but apparently wolves have been a big part of shaping them into the companions we know and love today," study co-author Logan Kistler,...

Indonesia’s capital Jakarta has banned the sale and consumption of dog, cat and bat meat to curb the spread of rabies, the city’s governor said on Tuesday (Nov 25), marking a major victory for animal-rights advocates. Governor Pramono Anung said he had signed the regulation on Monday, following a pledge made last month, and that it bans the sale of “rabies-transmitting animals” for food. A six-month grace period will apply before enforcement begins, according to a document seen by AFP. Violations could result in sanctions ranging from written warnings to business-licence revocation. The ban applies to live animals, meat and...

A Wyoming woman who suffered a massive heart attack while in bed said she would not have survived if it weren't for her toy poodle coming to her rescue. Susan Denker from Cheyenne was found unconscious at her home in July by a friend who could tell something was wrong when her seven-pound poodle began acting strange, according to the Cowboy State Daily. Karen, a friend of Susanne's, rang the doorbell several times and was about to leave when she saw the poodle, Lily, barking and running to the bedroom. The dog was trying to tell her something, and Karen...

The dog may have protected its owners from bears. Exploring new caves during the Upper Palaeolithic was fraught with danger, which is why one group of ancient humans in Italy made sure to take their trusted four-legged companion with them when they stepped into the darkness. Analyzing the fossilized foot and paw prints left behind during this subterranean excursion, researchers say that these 14,400-year-old tracks represent the world’s oldest direct evidence of humans living alongside a domesticated dog. A total of 25 preserved canid prints were discovered in various chambers of the Grotta della Bàsura in northwest Italy. In some...

Currently, there is no formal diagnosis for autism or ADHD in dogs, and vets group this behaviour under the broad umbrella of 'Canine Dysfunctional Behaviour' (CDB). Research has now shown that many different animals, including dogs, rats, mice, and primates, can have behavioural and genetic signs that would be diagnosed as neurodivergence in humans. However, diagnosing neurodivergence in dogs is extremely difficult. Signs your dog may be neurodivergent: Hypervigilance, Hyperfocus, Poor impulse control, Sensitivity to certain sounds, Lack of interest in people, Difficulty socialising. Dogs with autistic traits show lower levels of 'neural coupling', meaning that their brain activity doesn't...

Police say the 53-year-old man was cleaning his shotgun when his dog accidentally set it off, shooting him in the lower back.SHILLINGTON, Pa. — A 53-year-old man shot in the lower back by one of his dogs is expected to survive, police say. The shooting happened Tuesday, Nov. 11 around 11 p.m. in Shillington, Pennsylvania. Shillington Police Department Captain Michael Schoone said the man was cleaning his shotgun when one of his dogs jumped on the bed and the gun went off."He's not sure what stage of cleaning he was in at the time, so it's unsure if the dog's...

Introduction The age-old debate of dogs versus cats often sparks passionate arguments. While both pets offer unique joys, dogs hold distinct advantages rooted in their evolutionary history, social nature, and ability to enhance human well-being. This article explores 10 science-backed reasons why dogs are better than cats, addresses common questions, and provides insights for prospective pet owners. 1. Dogs Are Socially Attuned to Humans Dogs have evolved alongside humans for over 15,000 years, developing an unparalleled ability to read human emotions and gestures. Studies show they can interpret facial expressions, understand pointing cues, and even sense mood changes—traits cats lack....

"You must be a cat lady, Ms. Kaytee," the student said to me through laughter. I was working in a school, and had popped into one of the classrooms to assist with a project. This student who had just met me seconds ago assumed that I "must be" a cat lady. At the time I laughed: I had one cat, yes, but would hardly call myself a "cat lady." I also had a guinea pig, after all. Maybe this was some new Gen-Z slang that I didn't understand? Maybe "cat lady" means "an adult who is super cool"? (One can...

A pair of Ice Age “puppies” preserved in Siberian permafrost for over 14,000 years have turned out to be wolves, not early domesticated dogs. A recent study of two ancient “puppies” dating back more than 14,000 years suggests they were actually wolves, not early domestic dogs as once believed. Genetic testing revealed that the cubs were sisters, around two months old. Like modern wolves, they ate a combination of meat and plants. What surprised researchers most was the discovery of woolly rhinoceros remains in their stomachs, since such a massive animal would have been a difficult target for wolves to...

his is the hilarious moment that a dog owner tries to outsmart his German Shepherd while offering her a treat, but it backfires as the smart girl works it out.Our pets deserve a treat every now and then – especially as a reward for good behaviour. And recently, one dog parent decided to make her German Sherpherd earn their treat. He thought it would take a while for the pooch to figure things out – but it quickly backfired when the clever girl managed to figure it out in seconds. So it was actually the owner who ended up learning...

Scribble & Clue can solve math by barking! Image credit: Gutmann & Neuhaus 2025, CC BY 4.0/A. Carpineti, IFLScience/Valentin Drull/Shutterstock.com In one of the most hilarious papers we have read this year, two scientists challenged some famous quantum factorization records, pointing out how these approaches are only possible using very specific numbers or by changing the problem into an altogether easier-to-solve one. The team calls it sleight of hand, and are calling it out using old computers, an abacus, and even a dog! You most likely learned factorization in elementary school. You take a number and, using some known rules...

A stray dog massacred 23 newly hatched sea turtles on a North Florida beach just hours after the babies emerged from their nests, sparking calls for locals to leash their pets. The tiny carcasses were discovered during a routine survey by the Beaches Sea Turtle Patrol in Atlantic Beach, officials announced in an August 21 Facebook post. The slaughter occurred near Second Street as the vulnerable hatchlings made their first desperate crawl toward the ocean, investigators say. Evidence at the gruesome scene pointed to an unleashed pet as the culprit behind the carnage. ... The suspected canine remains at large,...

A Dallas Police K-9 officer is recovering after suffering heat exhaustion while working outside in extreme temperatures. K-9 Max, a 2-year-old German Shepherd, received a hero's welcome from officers, handlers and staff when he was released from MedVet Dallas at 3 p.m. Wednesday. CBS News Texas' Dawn White was the only reporter present at the emergency veterinary hospital when Max walked out the doors following a major scare. Dog collapsed during East Dallas manhunt Investigators said Max suffered a heat-related illness during a manhunt just before 2 p.m. Tuesday along Highland Road in East Dallas. Dallas Police rushed the beloved...

A street dog that took a particular liking to a British backpacker in Peru - following her relentlessly - has arrived at his new home in the UK after months of vaccines, tests and quarantine. Mirelle Radley, 30, felt like she was "adopted" by the stray in a village in the Sacred Valley of the Incas while travelling in April. When it became clear he was not being cared for, she named him Paddington and jumped through hoops to ensure he could safely be brought home with her. They arrived back at her home in Cambridge on Thursday and she...

"You must be a cat lady, Ms. Kaytee," the student said to me through laughter. I was working in a school, and had popped into one of the classrooms to assist with a project. This student who had just met me seconds ago assumed that I "must be" a cat lady. Kids say the darnedest things, right? Kids say the darnedest things, right? At the time I laughed: I had one cat, yes, but would hardly call myself a "cat lady." I also had a guinea pig, after all. Maybe this was some new Gen-Z slang that I didn't...

As birth rates plummet, the country is fawning over – and spending on – pets, says Amy Kazmin for Financial Times.Rome airport’s newest luxury hotel is designed to be a calming oasis for its guests. Rooms – with underfloor cooling – are suffused with aromatic oils such as lavender, tea-tree and mint and each has a private lawn. The property offers arnica massages, a communal garden where guests can mingle and large screens for video calls with faraway loved ones. Yet weary human travellers will not find succour here. With a capacity for 40 overnight guests, Dog Relais is an...