How did the planets get their names? | SPACE WORDS

This episode of Words Unravelled is out of this world! Blast off with Rob and Jess as they explore the cosmic origins of space terms. 🌌 Where did the planets get their names? And how do you actually pronounce Uranus? What’s the difference between a meteor, a comet and an asteroid? And what’s so milky about the Milky Way? 🌠 From constellations that twinkle with mythology to the everyday words than fell to us from space, let’s dive deep into the linguistic black hole! 🚀
👂LISTEN: podfollow.com/words-unravelle...
or search for "Words Unravelled" wherever you get your podcasts.
==LINKS==
Rob's KZbin channel: / robwords
Jess' Useless Etymology blog: uselessetymology.com/
Rob on X: x.com/robwordsyt
Jess on TikTok: tiktok.com/@jesszafarris
#etymology #space #English

[@TinkersTales]

The 13th Zodiac sign is Ophiuchus, the serpent bearer, but it has the smallest place on the zodiac, and was omitted, to allow for 12 signs, which was a better fit for 365 (360) days. Virgo is approx 45 days long and Scorpio is usually 7 dys long, but they have been evened out for simplicity.

[@WordsUnravelled]

We asked and you delivered! Thanks.

[@gordonbrinkmann]

​@WordsUnravelled Additionally, why these 12 (or 13) are in the zodiac, it's not that they are the most visible ones as you suppose in the video, but they are the ones that lie in the apparent path of the Sun across the sky, so over the course of the year the Sun wanders "through" these constellations (the time periods TinkersTales refers to in his comment), which is what people get their zodiac sign or star sign from according to their date of birth.

[@davidioanhedges]

The signs of the Zodiac are special because they lie on the Ecliptic - the apparent path of the sun over the year - so they were used as a calendar There were 12 because we have 12 months The Zodiac boundaries are even across the sky, the scientific Constellation boundaries are not, and include Ophiuchus

[@eivindkaisen6838]

@@davidioanhedges Astrologers are still basing their charts on the constellations' position as they were around the time of Babylon (approx 600 BCE) but they haven't taken into account the "progression" of them [nothing stands still], and over the last 2,500 - 3,000 years the dates they use for each "sign" is about a month off: if they say you're a Leo you may actually be a Virgo. Which doesn't matter since the gravitational pull of the midwife or obstetrician would be larger than that of all the planets and moons combined.

[@davidioanhedges]

@@eivindkaisen6838 They make it all up - it's not predictions, but advice The only underlying factor is the time of year you are born does to a small degree matter, but everything they say is rubbish

[@ClintSprayberry]

The "Jess causes Rob to blush" is a treasured segment in every show 😆

[@edryba4867]

…But they’re usually dealt with gently, and not genitally.

[@ClintSprayberry]

@@edryba4867 😆

[@thehiddenscotty]

Rob might just be one of the sweetest guys ever with his inability to handle impropriety.

[@WordsUnravelled]

Isn't he darling? ♥ - Jess

[@Khyranleander]

Monty Python did a famous bit on one of their records about this very British trait: "Are You Embarrassed Easily?" Many clips of it around KZbin. Not the most hilarious bit of their work unless you know exactly how well it fits Brits of a certain age.

[@lehilehi8636]

The Navajo name for Earth is Nahasdzáán, literally meaning "our woman," functionally meaning "our Mother,"

[@SonOfSofaman]

That was the Navajo word of the day very recently on the daybreakwarrior YT channel.

[@simonpayne7994]

I can hardly wait for their next season! A must for anybody interested in language and languages. These are absolutely professionally made videocasts quite unobtrusively staging two very nice people sharing a wealth of knowledge with their audience.

[@therealbettyswollocks]

Spot on. Both fun and wholesome earthlings who make a typically thoroughly dull subject hugely engaging.

[@WordsUnravelled]

Thank you so much for watching!

[@curtgozaydin922]

I hope I can say this, but Jess and Rob you two are absolutely entertaining and nice together. You provide us an education in a pleasant and humorous way. And for that, I am grateful! ☺️

[@fordhouse8b]

Yes, I have been subscribed to his channel for quite some time, and this colab channel is great.

[@matthewsaulsbury3011]

Same here, I had subscribed to his channel earlier, too. I like the intriguing word etymologies they tell together!

[@knaperstekt7953]

I love this ”show”! I’ve been into etymology my whole life and can’t get enough of it.

[@mikeyhau]

People who confuse etymology and entomology really bug me.

[@shryggur]

I use etymonline daily, haha

[@edryba4867]

You Tube likes to refer to these little “show-ettes” as “Channels”, tying the name of the service in with an original nickname of television, the “boob-tube”, which, although computers are used by many “boobs”, utilize NO “tubes” these days (“valves” in the U.K.).

[@WordsUnravelled]

We're so grateful you're here!

[@wayneyadams]

I love bugs, too. LOL (That's a joke, I know the difference.)

[@kruksog]

When i had to go to rehab for my opiate addiction, I told all my coworkers I was going to space camp. The people who knew what was going on were instructed to say the same. Im sure it was less fun than actual space camp. Clean from opioids for a long time though. Thanks space camp.

[@allendracabal0819]

1. Interesting story. 2. Congratulations.

[@laebia1182]

Congratulations

[@dursty3226]

rock on!

[@pieterbosman6111]

Sometimes in a collection of meteorites there happens to be an ordinary stone which looks like a meteororite. This is then referred to as a metereowrong.

[@victoriaeads6126]

SciShow asked for "favorite science jokes" on their community tab the other day, this would fit right in! 😂

[@WildStar2002]

lol! 🤣

[@stevetournay6103]

Badump bump crashhhhh...

[@WaterShowsProd]

The planets in Thai are derived from Sanskrit names of Hindu names. In order from The Sun (Phra Athit) they are: Phut, Suk, Lohk (as in other lanuages, not derived from a god), Angkhaan, Pharuhat ( Pharuhatsabadi), Sao, Mareuttayu, and Get. Pluto is not a planet, but its name in Thai is Yom. Often Uranus, Neptune, and Pluto are called by by their Roman derived names, though. They are all preceded with Dao Phra (Dao is "star" and "Phra" is a sacred and royal title), again except for Lohk (Earth). Interestingly, the Sanskrit word for "star", "daraa", is instead used to mean a film/tv/singing star, though you find it in the word for "galaxy", "darajak", which, like most scientific terms in Thai, also comes from Sanskrit. The days of the week share their names with their corresponding planets-without the "Phra" prefix-with Monday being named after The Moon, Phra Jan, which is from the Sanskrit "Chandra", for which there is a famous and important X-ray observatory named, and the Indian lunar mission: Chandrayaan. Having your fortune told is called "Du Duang", "du" meaning to look at, and "duang" being a classifier used for stars and planets.

[@musingwithreba9667]

I loved this episode. Thanks for the LOLs 😂 I do believe that Jess has secretly made it her personal mission to get Rob to blush in every single episode! ☺️

[@WordsUnravelled]

He's such a good sport. I need to give him a break! 😆 - Jess

[@musingwithreba9667]

@@WordsUnravelled aha! So I was correct 😂

[@SRDuly2010]

Fun fact, a comet’s “tail” always points away from the Sun regardless of the direction the comet is traveling. The “tail” is a product of the solar wind. Far enough away from the Sun and the tails dissipate completely.

[@williambavington5392]

Actually, comets have two tails: an ion tail and a dust tail. The ion tail caused by ionization of the gas atoms and molecules which sublime off due to solar heating does indeed point directly away from the Sun due to the direction of the solar wind. However, the dust tail direction is the vector sum of the orbital path of the comet and the influence of the solar wind so points at a different angle to the ion tail. The ion tail is better viewed in ultraviolet light than the visible so cannot always be seen with the naked eye even on a 'bright' comet.

[@SRDuly2010]

@@williambavington5392 Interesting! Thx

[@s.l.taylor4057]

I can imagine the conversation… Your Majesty, the star named after you is now longer a star, it is actually Uranus!

[@allendracabal0819]

George was surely much more concerned at the time with losing a war of independence to his colonies across the pond. (Plus, the Brits officially held out in joining the rest of the world in calling the new planet Uranus until after George was dead.)

[@BryTee]

except they surely would have pronounced it like every other country did back then, more like: "ooh rah nus" or "ooh rah noose" I assume there was some change in the English speakers ending up sounding more of a joke?

[@thomaswilliams2273]

Borrowed, but maybe we should have compromised and called it George's Anus. Perhaps this could have speeded up scientific inquiry, for how could we resist sending a probe into George's Anus?

[@LG123ABC]

I prefer the name "Terra" over "Earth". Referring to myself as a "Terran" seems way cooler than "Earthling".

[@tomnicholson2115]

I agree, I'd rather be a Terran than an Earthling. So you get my vote for that.

[@mathman316]

As long as we're not in the Terran Empire :)

[@tedwalford7615]

Or Earthian.

[@HappyBuffalo347]

I think earthling is cooler once you bring the old English vibes back

[@stacycentral]

Your point on cancer reminded me that "canker," as in canker sore also derives from the same. Love this and your respective channels. English is the galactic Borg of languages. You will be assimilated.

[@tedwalford7615]

My mnemonic for the names of the nine planets has always been "Mercury Venus Earth Mars, Jupiter Saturn, Uranus Neptune and Pluto." That one was the easiest for me to remember!

[@trashley05]

will be sad to not have this podcast for a few weeks but i understand! cant wait till youre back

[@Anne-Enez]

Thank you Jess and Rob for your very interesting and enjoyable podcast videos. Here are the three main reasons for me. First of all, talking about the etymology of a language is indeed to talk about all languages, all cultures and their history, in short, about our humanity. Secondly, the comments below and subsequent discussions are just as interesting to follow, and for that I thank the other followers who take part. And a third reason why I appreciate these videos, as a French person with English as first foreign language, is that they allow me to practice high quality English with you, with the help of subtitles when needed. I highly recommend it!

[@deeg]

enjoy your time off....again a real pleasure to be enlightened

[@astrotrav]

Astronomer here. Yes we primarily use the less offensive pronunciation of Uranus. Great stuff! This’ll make it into my lectures!

[@clwho4652]

So you prefer urine on us?

[@psiphiorg]

I was surprised to hear only the two 8-year-old-giggle-evoking versions (your-anus and urine-us) here, without the uhr-uhn-us (basically, urine-us except without the Y sound at the start) variant that I heard from one science teacher. I wonder if that is just something that they came up with, or if this is a less-common variant that gets used sometimes.

[@litigioussociety4249]

I also studied astronomy, and think anyone who says it like urine sounds stupid, as though they don't know how to pronounce anus.

[@elimalinsky7069]

In Greek and Latin the correct pronunciation would be ooh-RAH-noos.

[@victoriaeads6126]

​@@elimalinsky7069Exactly, although telling my kids that earns me several pairs of rolled eyes 😂

[@NorthernTigress]

My favorite planetary mnemonic is "Mary's Velvet Eyes Make John Stay Up Nights Pondering."

[@Anne-Enez]

A little french input about the "umbrella" family. Like explain by Rob, in french we have "parapluie" ☂(meaning protects against rain, umbrella in english) to hand when it rains, and parasol ⛱(protects against sun) to be fixed in the beach sand or in a stand in a garden, but we have also a third word : "ombrelle" (from "ombre", to make shadow) to hand also but to protect against sun burnt. An ombrelle is hardly ever used in nowadays life, but used to be by elegant and stylish women of high society to keep their complexion milky and avoid tanning, which was then the sign of the working class. It was a very feminine fashion object, richly and finely decorated with lace etc..., so very different from the english umbrella 😉

[@musingwithreba9667]

Interesting! There is a brand of sun screen lotion called Ombrelle.

[@thomasmacdiarmid8251]

And that ombrelle would be called a parasol in English (American English at least), whereas the larger sturdier versions would be called either a beach umbrella (especially if capable of being schlepped about) or just umbrella.

[@allanlees299]

Jupiter may have been one of the initial set of words that first led William Jones to conclude that the precursor of Skanskrit, Greek, and Latin (all cognate languages) was a common tongue we now call proto-indo-european. In Sanskrit the primary male god was dyaus pitr while in Latin the borrowing from Greek was initially Zeus Pater (father god) which morphed into Deus Pater and then concatenated into Deuspater and hence finally our Jupiter.

[@pleappleappleap]

The Roman version of Uranus is Caelus. Who is the source of words like celestial.

[@Vestlys1]

Hi! The names "Jupiter" and "Zeus" are just variations of the same name, are they not? Both derived from the sanskrit "Dyaus Pitar", meaning "Heavenly Father", or the slightly less pompous "Sky Daddy". Dyaus Pitar to Dyuspitar to Jupiter is pretty straight forward and the Greeks just dropped the whole "Pitar" part and went straight from Dyaus to Zeus. So that means that the "Ju-" part of Jupiter simply mean Zeus, right? Keep up the great job you do, providing us all with both aha-moments and laughs interspersed in between all the nerdgasmic joy!

[@nicolasdenz4292]

I love these podcasts, but I have to present an argument. Apologies for its length. Saying that Pluto is a planet simply because of English mnemonics is not much of an argument. It IS an interesting solar body, but that is not enough. If you want to REALLY get the correct mnemonic, you would have to come up with one for all TWENTY-FOUR bodies that have (at least once) been considered planets. In antiquity, there were seven planets, and Earth was not one of them. They were the Sun, the Moon, Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter, and Saturn. People did not think of the Earth (or dirt) they stood upon as being the same as those lights wandering through their night skies. That idea held until people accepted the truth of Galileo’s discovery of the Galilean moons of Jupiter in 1610; for more than a century, many scientists considered them to be planets, upping the total to 11. The discovery later in the seventeenth century of five Saturnian moons raised the total to 16. By the end of that century, with the acceptance of a heliocentric view of the Solar System, most had accepted that Earth IS a planet, and that the Sun and Moon were NOT, so the number was then 15. But some time in the early or mid-18th century, scientists began to argue that moons of planets were not themselves planets, so the number of officially recognized planets fell to six. The discovery of Uranus (I still prefer the spelling Ouranos, or the Greek name Caelus) brought us back up to seven. That held for a few years until the discovery of the first four members of what we now call the Asteroid Belt: Ceres, Pallas, Juno, and Vesta between 1801 and 1807. The 1845 discovery of the fifth asteroid, Astraea, brought us briefly up to twelve, and Neptune’s discovery in 1846 made it a lucky thirteen, but the rapid discovery of many more asteroids in the next decade caused another reevaluation of the matter, and we dropped back to eight planets until the 1930 discovery of Pluto. Some scientists had postulated the existence of a ninth planet ever since the discovery of Neptune (which was discovered after having been postulated by mathematical formula), and Clyde Tombaugh got lucky when he found Pluto where it had been predicted. Pluto was originally thought to be another giant planet, not far from Uranus and Neptune in size; as our observations continued, it shrank in size until it was determined to be smaller than at least seven moons of the Solar System. The discoveries of several small bodies in Pluto’s region of space culminated with the discovery of Eris, a body almost as large and more massive than Pluto. Eris was briefly considered by NASA the 10th (or 21st, if we count them all) planet, until the IAU redefined what a planet is. So, besides the eight bodies we consider to be planets, there are 18 others that once held that distinction. Pluto has little to brag about. Changing subject, I would note that Jess (with her quirky nose) reminds me of a young Sally Field. Does anyone else see that? Changing subject again, why do we not just rename Uranus to conform with the other six to a Roman name, and call it Caelus? And why do we call them the Sun and Moon, as opposed to Sol and Luna? We have the only Solar System in the galaxy (possibly the universe), as “solar” refers specifically to Sol; others are more properly stellar systems, unless we have come up with a more specific name. Maybe the planets around Proxima Centauri are part of the Proximal System, or something similar. Again, love your podcasts, love Rob's sense of humor, and love Jess' quirky nose.

[@A_nony_mous]

Definite Sally Field vibes. I'd been wondering of whom she reminded me, thanks for putting that name to the similar face

[@JakeSpeed1000]

You two make a great pair for doing this

[@carol5763]

I feel secure in my geekiness when watching your content. I think I shall no longer call myself a geek, but a geekling.

[@themeetingpointbilbao]

I seem to recall that Jupiter was also known as Jove, and as this planet affected our mood, gave us the word "Jovial". Noses also run in our family.

[@zeno2712]

25:37 It's also advisable not to mix up mensuration (measuring things) with menstruation!

[@j.rinker4609]

I can't believe it's episode 10 already. I LOVE this show! I want to hear about Jess's card game, even though I'm going to quit teaching an English class and go to all math and/or art.

[@JohnCarneyAu]

Jess's nose is quirky and adorable. I also like Rob's nose, FWIW. On the matter of the content, my favourite factlets are: that the term "poop deck" comes from the stars, and not Uranus; that "zodiac" means "circle of little animals," and that "earthling" means "ploughman."

[@RickJones222]

I love these people!

[@infinitumneo840]

In 1920 and again in 1930, the League of Nations nearly replaced our 12-month calendar with a 13-month calendar. Each month would have had 28 days (with 1 month having 29) instead of 30 or 31. They keeped the current calendar because it's easily divided into 4 seasons.

[@victoriaeads6126]

I can't help but think that Polynesian languages must have a wealth of nautical and astronomical terms. Their cultures have such an amazing legacy in that sphere, it would be interesting to learn more about them. Maybe you could do an episode like Rob's "German words English should use" episode (paraphrase), that was a fun episode.

[@andyjohnson4907]

I love Jess' nose. She's so cute.

[@dahemac]

Jess has Smaug on her forearm! She prolly knew that, but I was delighted to see it.

[@GeorgeTaylorWVU]

Great discussion on the etymology of planetary names! It's fascinating to note that Uranus is the only planet named after a Greek deity rather than a Roman one. Speaking of which, the Roman equivalent, Caelus, is worth mentioning as it gives us the word "celestial".

[@Indra-Ant]

Dear Jess and Rob. may your time off from the podcast be blessed by the stars so that your return is quick and sure footed.

[@TheFeralGoatCreative]

This has been a lovely project! I enjoy looking out for future episodes!

[@matthewgrumbling4993]

Rob: how many old salts called you out on the poop deck thing? You might also be interested in knowing that it is also referred to as the fan tail. And I can’t remember if you pointed out that it was at the stern of the ship. Honestly, there are so many cool nautical terms that you could probably do a series on them. I will warn you, though, that some of the older ones might make you blush.😊

[@cTc10691]

From the first section, Irish is one example of a language in which the name for the ground/the soil and the name for Earth as a planet aren't the same. For the ground itself, or land in general, it's 'talamh', and for soil the word is 'cré'. For the planet we say 'An Domhan', or 'An Chruinne', meaning something like the world, the globe.

[@nathanirby4273]

I love this channel, and I'm So happy I just stumbled upon it randomly. Good , wholesome, informative content 👌 Really top shelf stuff, ya'll. Truly A-1.

[@DusanPavlicek78]

The word cosmos is also related to the word cosmetics: kosmein in Greek means to decorate.

[@dariusharjmandi1825]

Interesting. In Persian we call the earth (Zamin) witch means ground. Anather word for it is khaki meaning dirt like the color in English

[@rodgervsaffell2085]

This was another delightful episode...You two exemplify the saying that two heads are better than one. Thanks for all the infectious smiles you emit! 😊

[@jeepien]

The cool thing about helium is that it was discovered in the Sun *before* it was ever found on Earth.

[@StSav012_]

Looking forward an episode on calendars and holidays. A link between a dog and summer vacations, between the Christmas and the northern gods, between seasons and “sea sons”, and much, much more.

[@PluTiD]

In Spanish, "parar" means to stop. So the Spanish "paraguas" means "stop waters" Ans the French "parapluie" means "stop rain." This is also applied to the words "paracaídas" in Spanish and "parachute" in French (and English). Literally a "stop fall."

[@sylviahardy4568]

Another fascinating episode. Thank you 😊 Looking forward to next series 😀

[@jlewwis1995]

25:58 pretty sure the version of eccentric used as a synonym of quirky is spelled with 2 cs not xc

[@martinmaguire-music6692]

True dat

[@MonicaTheMad]

excentric | ikˈsentrik | adjective chiefly Biology not centrally placed or not having its axis or other part placed centrally: a distinct excentric nucleus.

[@thembi125]

Rob - I'm American, and you're the most English man ever to me. As a child, I imagined every British man in a roald dahl story to be almost exactly you in look, speech, and mannerisms

[@judih.8754]

Yes I agree!!

[@charliesimar7541]

9:15 - Jess, re your comment about if you were better at math ..., it strikes me that math can be rather boring, but what you and Rob are doing in tracking down meanings and origins of words is far more fascinating. I discovered I had a talent for learning languages in the army. I was trained as a Khmer linguist and I discovered on various overseas tours that I just soaked in the local language (e.g., Korean and Thai). Since then, I've picked up a smattering of Spanish and Italian. Each sounds like a different style of music to my ear. Oh, and British English! What a lovely symphonic language! So math, science and all that is OK, but language is bliss! Please do keep me blissful.

[@victoriaeads6126]

I'm on team "change the name of the planet between Saturn and Neptune", personally. Caelum is the Roman name, and it avoids so much confusion.

[@sagetmaster4]

It's crazy how excited I get to see a new episode of this podcast

[@pierreabbat6157]

Here are some suggested words related to black holes (μελανές οπές in Modern Greek): melanopology: the study of black holes apomelanope: the farthest point in an orbit around a black hole perimelanope: the closest an object gets to a black hole.

[@ShawnNowlan]

You two are amazing! Will look forward to the next series.

[@jonrolfson1686]

The Milky Way is poetically referred to in Thai as The Way of the White Elephant (Thang Chang Pheuak - ทางช้างเผือก).

[@anders630]

I think it was Phil Jupitus on QI who mentioned "Antarctica is named after the Ant and the Bear".

[@gadiantonx8474]

sagan was the cosmologist who didnt like the boyish snickers when saying uranus the old way

[@BryTee]

Sagan should've looked to other languages pronunciation, which is more like: "ooh-rah-nus" or "ooh-rah-noose". I wish English speakers pronounced it that way.

[@kruksog]

This show is so good. You both are great. Thanks for bringing us this. I like you both so much. Quality personalities.

[@yanceynitzsche5115]

Jess, I'm right there with ya in wishing I'd bent my school curriculum toward pursuing astronomy; in my case, astrophysics. Now in my capacity as a comic book artist, I scratch that itch by infusing the cosmic sci-fi elements of my stories with as much real-world scientific/astronomical principle as I can.

[@cdnarmymedic]

"Men Very Early Made Jars Stand Up Nearly Perpendicular" was my mnemonic for remembering the planets, although I am familiar with both Rob's and Jess' versions. Also, I'm with Rob on this one: A dwarf planet is still a type of planet, and Pluto is a dwarf planet.

[@danielcox3152]

If Uranus was named after the Roman God equivalent - Caelus there wouldn't be any jokes how to pronounce it and what it sounds like.

[@pierreabbat6157]

Not to be confused with Caelum, a constellation, whose name means chisel, not sky.

[@jayffemt]

Or they could have used the older spelling Ouranos. Maybe the slight change in pronunciation would have prevented some of the jokes.

[@j.rinker4609]

I learned "My very excellent mother just served us nine pies". I'd rather have pie than pizza, anyway.

[@Musketeer009]

Yet another very interesting episode. Something struck me when Rob used the term 'to fire an arrow' (or something similar). The term 'to fire' something refers to using a firearm i.e you have to use fire to cause the arm to loose its projectile. You don't 'fire' arrows. You 'shoot' them or 'loose' them. Firing an arrow does exist, but describes setting the pointy end alight before you loose it, hoping to set the target on fire.

[@user-we6iv5pn3x]

I really enjoy your videos! They are very informative! 🎉

[@HLR4th]

Great job!

[@DoVisenya]

Thanks for the podcast and have a great break! I love the origins of the Venus mythology. Because it's closer to the Sun than Earth is, it will always be in the same general area of the sky. It will either rise just before the sunrise, climbing the sky trying to 'usurp' the Sun, thus the name Morningstar, or it will show up on the evening sky and slowly fall down, following the Sun's descent, earning it the name Evenstar. There are a lot of mythological beings representing either Morningstar or Evenstar, who rise up to fight the Sun god, or go down to the underworld for some reason.

[@nix9vex13]

Ahw man. Weeks? Well take care and we'll be here when you return. Have a good one!

[@duckrutt]

When I went to Space Camp there were three programs, two for kids and one for adults. According to my binder I was part of the level 1 program and a member of Neptune. Who knew.

[@I_Thought_You_Had_It]

Brilliant podcast.

[@vanrozay8871]

Early matches (for lighting) were called lucifers, and used phosphorus. Cat-astro-phe?

[@jacquespoulemer]

Hi Jess and Rob and my fellow Earth-niks, I'm so glad you cleared up the earth-ling origins. I originally thought it was and ancient form of Dirt-bag. I often quip in various chat forums that, "I'm often asked if I ever seen any aliens. 'It's ALL I've seen since we landed here!' " I'm now confused about the Panda Ling Ling. Pacing Rooster = Shuttle Cock? Our Galaxy is sooooo Cheesy. Fare thee well fellow Irk-links. Jim Mexico

[@Jefada]

Thank you. I do trivia for my office and provided me with so much information. I was looking for more space trivia. Now just write up one question for every day of week. I'll link your video for reference.

[@Anne-Enez]

In French also, the same "Cancer" word is used for the constellation, the zodiac sign and the disease, the latest being also nick-named "le crabe" (the crab). Funnily, "quirky" is translated as "excentrique" (eccentric) and here we go again from the constellation Crab/Cancer back to Jess's nose!

[@WordsUnravelled]

I propose a nasocentric model of the solar system. - Jess

[@francesc1331]

This was great and I enjoyed it all the way through but especially re PLUTO. Long live Pluto!

[@jfu5222]

Like Rob's beardlessness, I have been claiming a higher evolution for my head, it's refined and modern not small!

[@benthepen6583]

Look forward to the return, really enjoyed the first run

[@Forinil]

I think it’s worth mentioning that Uranus literally means “lord of rain” and is cognate with words like urea and urinate. I’m gonna leave the connection between raining and peeing to your imagination.

[@raymundoii]

22:35, there's Ophiuchus the Serpent-Bearer which is sometimes referred to as the 13th Zodiac. The Zodiacs are a rough division of the Ecliptic(that band of the sky) into 30° segments, being 360° there will always be twelve, but there are around 16 constellations that cross that area. I had to look this up because I too have heard of the 13th Zodiac somewhere; Based on my other Google results, it's more of a pop-culture thing, 13 being unlucky, the twelve apostles (either Jesus or Judas being counted as the 13th person).

[@tw1356]

Thank You, made my day*

[@LeeCarlson]

Jupiter's naming for the Roman "King of the Gods" references the large "court" of moons seen to accompany it.

[@stevencoghill4323]

We sent our son to the companion Aviation Camp in Huntsville. He loved it.

[@godofbiscuitssf]

I heard this one on a UK panel show. I want to say it's maybe Jimmy Carr? But it's now my favorite mnemonic for the planets: Mary's Virgin Explanation Made Joseph Suspect Upstairs Neighbor.

[@tethyssurfer3376]

The Hebrew names of the”walking stars” and their translations are: Khama=hot, Noga=bright, Erets=Earth, Maadim=reddening, Tsedek=justice, Shabtai=halt, cease, strike, (same root as our Saturday), Oron=diminutive light, Rahav=haughty. Most Israelis would probably use their English names. If you’re interested how I weaved terms of lunacy and moon geography into a pop song, please check out Moonmadness on my sight. I even have a song called “Words”. The lyrics are in their descriptions.

[@alexrafe2590]

The Canary Islands were named for the wild dogs that were found there, but the birds, that also inhabit the islands, were named for the islands that were by that time called the Canaries. Or at least so I’ve heard.

[@karlkutac1800]

Delightful

[@s.l.taylor4057]

Perhaps now is an apt time to tell you that listening to your posts is … heaven!

[@petermsiegel573]

I learned the same planetary mnemonic as Jess, except it was pickles in place of the (more modern?) pizzas!

[@GanciEnglishIdioms]

We learned the mnemonic as "My Very Elegant Mother Just Sat Upon Nine Porcupines."

[@j.rinker4609]

My favorite constellations are Cassiopeia and the Big Dipper, as those are some of the few I can recognize.

[@saveversus]

Red Rising also has a boardgame based on the novel.

[@wayneyadams]

16:00 The constellations are grouped by mythological story, as are many of the stars within and around them. You have the story of Perseus for example. There is the story of Orion, the Hunter. Those are just two of the many stories.

[@causilvestrini7000]

Come to think about it, Rob! You could start a channel about German words! I'd LOVE that and I think many others would!

[@PhilBagels]

17:56 The label says "Ursa Major" (the Great Bear), but the picture is actually of Ursa Minor (the Little Bear). "Planet" is related to the French word "flaneur", which refers to one who wanders around town for a leisurely stroll, with no particular advance plan as to where they're going. The "-piter" part of "Jupiter" is the same as "pater" in Latin. As I'm sure you know, related to words like "patron", "patriarch", "patriotic", and even "father".

[@steeveletur1983]

I had always thought Orion was hunting the bull (Taurus) right in front of him. Thank you for the explanation!

[@hadz8671]

You are right (and he has a club, not a bow)

[@richardeaton3063]

i was taught that the word astronomy was the joining of the word star with name, meaning astronomy is the naming of stars

[@johnsmartin1473]

Damn yous smart Jesse, feilcidades! You always make me take notes.

[@wearwolf2500]

Speaking of Earth. I always found it funny that in the intro to the Flash Gordon movie they have an "Earthquake" sign that flashes to indicate that the aliens are causing Earthquakes. Obviously aliens who just found earth shouldn't be using a word derived from earth. I know it's done because that's the English term but I still find it weird.