Uploaded May 2026 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago

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Let's explore the mysteries of our weird alphabet. Rob and Jess are joined by Danny Bate, author of Why Q Needs U, to discuss where our letters came from and why they make the noises they make.
🅰️ How was A originally an ox?
𝑄 Why does Q always appear with U?
🦓 Is it ZEE or ZED?
These questions answered and so many more in an alphabetically astounding episode of Words Unravelled.

📖 Buy Danny's book, WHY Q NEEDS U: geni.us/WhyQNeedsU

👕 OUR MERCH 👚
US SHOP: wordsunravelledshop.myspreadshop.com
EU/UK SHOP: wordsunravelledshop.myspreadshop.net

👂LISTEN: podfollow.com/words-unravelled-with-robwords-and-jess-zafarris
or search for "Words Unravelled" wherever you get your podcasts.

==LINKS==
Rob's YouTube channel: youtube.com/robwords
Jess' Useless Etymology blog: uselessetymology.com
Rob on X: x.com/robwordsyt
Jess on TikTok: tiktok.com/@jesszafarris

#etymology #wordfacts #English