Jess Zafarris
@jesszafarris.com
Author of USELESS ETYMOLOGY, WORDS FROM HELL, and ONCE UPON A WORD. Podcaster/cohost, Words Unravelled. Editor-at-Large, Ragan + PR Daily. Adjunct prof at Emerson. Speaker, content director, social pro, ad world wordsmith. https://linktr.ee/JessZafarris
I haven't been keeping up with film news (or films in general) lately because *gestures miserably at everything else* so I have just now come across this absolutely glorious headline by @peterbradshaw1.bsky.social.
February 19, 2026 at 7:11 PM
I haven't been keeping up with film news (or films in general) lately because *gestures miserably at everything else* so I have just now come across this absolutely glorious headline by @peterbradshaw1.bsky.social.
In case anyone was wondering why the seismic activity has spiked around George Orwell's grave, please observe this Reddit thread from today.
February 18, 2026 at 1:57 AM
In case anyone was wondering why the seismic activity has spiked around George Orwell's grave, please observe this Reddit thread from today.
Fable is such a happy little soul!
February 15, 2026 at 5:46 PM
Fable is such a happy little soul!
Look at this little bean in her post-surgery onesie that she hates so much 🩵
February 13, 2026 at 4:46 PM
Look at this little bean in her post-surgery onesie that she hates so much 🩵
This is pretty cool!
February 13, 2026 at 4:02 PM
This is pretty cool!
Post-spay recovery time for Fable 🩵
February 10, 2026 at 8:25 PM
Post-spay recovery time for Fable 🩵
Who else will be in Austin for SXSW?? I'm a Featured Speaker at SXSW EDU on March 9th and will be staying until March 13th. I'm also doing a couple of signings/talks at local bookstores while I'm there (details TBD, but one will be at 7pm at Book Woman).
February 9, 2026 at 7:00 PM
Who else will be in Austin for SXSW?? I'm a Featured Speaker at SXSW EDU on March 9th and will be staying until March 13th. I'm also doing a couple of signings/talks at local bookstores while I'm there (details TBD, but one will be at 7pm at Book Woman).
The bleachers where the fans watch the Dinner Olympics and the Foodper Bowl.
February 8, 2026 at 10:32 PM
The bleachers where the fans watch the Dinner Olympics and the Foodper Bowl.
Walking on the lake is quite fun
February 7, 2026 at 10:47 PM
Walking on the lake is quite fun
My in-laws live in central California and I’m like
February 7, 2026 at 10:10 PM
My in-laws live in central California and I’m like
How cold is it?
Too.
Too.
February 7, 2026 at 9:50 PM
How cold is it?
Too.
Too.
An artist, Damon Soileau of Oiseau Metal Arts in Tennessee, asked to use my book to model his sterling silver bookmarks, and boy are they gorgeous!!
Check out his shop: www.etsy.com/shop/oiseaum...
Check out his shop: www.etsy.com/shop/oiseaum...
February 5, 2026 at 4:58 PM
An artist, Damon Soileau of Oiseau Metal Arts in Tennessee, asked to use my book to model his sterling silver bookmarks, and boy are they gorgeous!!
Check out his shop: www.etsy.com/shop/oiseaum...
Check out his shop: www.etsy.com/shop/oiseaum...
Obi has a little heart-shaped spot on his chest.
February 4, 2026 at 7:40 PM
Obi has a little heart-shaped spot on his chest.
Fable and I are fighting because she doesn't like Wishbone.
But really, yes, I read all of the Wishbone books and watched all of the series like it was my job. It actually helped significantly when I was introduced to the full texts in middle/high school.
But really, yes, I read all of the Wishbone books and watched all of the series like it was my job. It actually helped significantly when I was introduced to the full texts in middle/high school.
February 4, 2026 at 12:55 AM
Fable and I are fighting because she doesn't like Wishbone.
But really, yes, I read all of the Wishbone books and watched all of the series like it was my job. It actually helped significantly when I was introduced to the full texts in middle/high school.
But really, yes, I read all of the Wishbone books and watched all of the series like it was my job. It actually helped significantly when I was introduced to the full texts in middle/high school.
These are the best modern adaptations of The Odyssey ever created and I will not be dissuaded (and yes I do rank both of them slightly above the 1997 miniseries, which is also very good)
February 4, 2026 at 12:39 AM
These are the best modern adaptations of The Odyssey ever created and I will not be dissuaded (and yes I do rank both of them slightly above the 1997 miniseries, which is also very good)
January 2026 book retrospective:
📚 Dungeon Crawler Carl Book 2 by Matt Dinniman (so fun)
📚 His Dark Materials (re-read them for the first time since childhood and got WAY more out of them)
📚 Battle for the Big Top by Les Standiford (great nonfiction read about the history of the American circus)
📚 Dungeon Crawler Carl Book 2 by Matt Dinniman (so fun)
📚 His Dark Materials (re-read them for the first time since childhood and got WAY more out of them)
📚 Battle for the Big Top by Les Standiford (great nonfiction read about the history of the American circus)
February 2, 2026 at 3:58 PM
January 2026 book retrospective:
📚 Dungeon Crawler Carl Book 2 by Matt Dinniman (so fun)
📚 His Dark Materials (re-read them for the first time since childhood and got WAY more out of them)
📚 Battle for the Big Top by Les Standiford (great nonfiction read about the history of the American circus)
📚 Dungeon Crawler Carl Book 2 by Matt Dinniman (so fun)
📚 His Dark Materials (re-read them for the first time since childhood and got WAY more out of them)
📚 Battle for the Big Top by Les Standiford (great nonfiction read about the history of the American circus)
Interesting question in a Reddit post about the "homeland" in "Homeland Security," which sounds a bit Nazified.
It started with the Homeland Security Act of 2002.
Attorney/Homeland Security Laws consultant Martin J. Alperen wrote about the term as a moving target.
It started with the Homeland Security Act of 2002.
Attorney/Homeland Security Laws consultant Martin J. Alperen wrote about the term as a moving target.
January 28, 2026 at 4:01 PM
Interesting question in a Reddit post about the "homeland" in "Homeland Security," which sounds a bit Nazified.
It started with the Homeland Security Act of 2002.
Attorney/Homeland Security Laws consultant Martin J. Alperen wrote about the term as a moving target.
It started with the Homeland Security Act of 2002.
Attorney/Homeland Security Laws consultant Martin J. Alperen wrote about the term as a moving target.
The top of his head now matches his nose.
January 27, 2026 at 4:31 PM
The top of his head now matches his nose.
This is why I still open Threads sometimes
January 26, 2026 at 8:57 PM
This is why I still open Threads sometimes
I'm so looking forward to chatting with @dannybate.bsky.social, @linguisticdiscovery.com, @languagewriter.bsky.social, and @marcofranconeves.bsky.social tomorrow at 1pm ET!
Sign up for free here: us06web.zoom.us/meeting/regi...
Sign up for free here: us06web.zoom.us/meeting/regi...
January 26, 2026 at 8:26 PM
I'm so looking forward to chatting with @dannybate.bsky.social, @linguisticdiscovery.com, @languagewriter.bsky.social, and @marcofranconeves.bsky.social tomorrow at 1pm ET!
Sign up for free here: us06web.zoom.us/meeting/regi...
Sign up for free here: us06web.zoom.us/meeting/regi...
Snowy Fable cuddles 🩵 ❄️ 🩵
January 26, 2026 at 5:26 PM
Snowy Fable cuddles 🩵 ❄️ 🩵
Which dog is the best snow dog?
January 25, 2026 at 8:26 PM
Which dog is the best snow dog?
