WORD LEADERS 50
↓ CELEBRATING WORD EXPERTS ↓
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From dictionary custodians and etymologists to baby name experts, podcasters, authors and social media stars, these Word Leaders bring the meanings and histories of words to life. This collection has been curated by Leon Bailey-Green, also known as Etymoleon, host of the Word History podcast and creator of the daily etymology word game Derivety.
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These experts, creators and enthusiasts share a zeal for uncovering the stories behind words, names and phrases. This list is a celebration of their contributions. They already have the spotlight; the aim of this list is simply to bring them together and acknowledge them collectively, alongside their peers. For anyone wanting to learn more about word origins, Word Leaders 50 should serve as a helpful guide to the people, platforms and publications worth following. I hope you enjoy reading this list as much as I enjoyed putting it together. Send me a message with your thoughts.
Scroll down to view entrants 1–25, click to see 26–50, or view the full PDF by clicking the button below.
Test your knowledge of word origins with Derivety, the daily etymology puzzle created by Etymoleon. https://derivety.com
1.Aaron Peckham (Founder), Urban Dictionary
Urban Dictionary is the go-to repository for uncovering the meanings of slang terms and phrases. Despite the vast documentation of language online, many recently coined expressions still have unclear origins and ambiguous meanings. Without platforms like Urban Dictionary, even more would go unrecorded. Don't let its informality overshadow its linguistic significance. https://www.urbandictionary.com/
2.Adam Aleksic (Social Media Linguist), The Etymology Nerd
Adam’s fast-paced videos have attracted millions of followers across Instagram and TikTok, drawn to his insights on language and word evolution. He has a keen eye for identifying and explaining linguistic trends shaped by younger generations, as well as shifts in how we communicate driven by technology and social media. There’s no doubt he has introduced etymology to an audience who never realised they were interested - until now. https://www.etymologynerd.com/
3.Alex Beecroft (Managing Director) & Mary O'Neill (Managing Editor), Collins Dictionary
Collins Dictionary has a publishing history spanning 200 years, beginning with a Greek-English lexicon designed to help readers understand the New Testament. The Collins English Dictionary, which most will be familiar with, was first published in 1979 and was the first major dictionary to include entries for people and places. https://www.collinsdictionary.com/
4.Anatoly Liberman (Etymologist)
Word origins that remain uncertain are often open to theory, making it essential to critically analyse proposed explanations. Anatoly is the ultimate tester of etymological theories, scrutinising obscure word histories with precision. His regular writings for the Oxford University Press blog challenge existing ideas, highlighting flaws ranging from historical impossibilities to linguistic inconsistencies, while also considering arguments that support their plausibility. In 2024, he published Origin Uncertain, a book exploring words with mysterious etymologies. https://blog.oup.com/category/series-columns/oxford_etymologist/
5.Beth O'Dea (Producer) & Michael Rosen (Host), Word of Mouth
This radio show has been going strong for over 30 years, first airing on the BBC in 1992 and now available on podcast platforms. In each episode, host Michael Rosen welcomes linguists, professors, authors, and other experts, to explore how society uses - and has used - language. As a radio-first broadcast, episodes adhere to a strict 28-minute format, with seasoned production keeping the conversation focused, making for a valuable listen. https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b006qtnz
6.Danny L. Bate (Linguist)
Danny explores a different linguistic topic in his monthly blog, offering fresh insights with every post. While you never know what to expect, there’s always something to learn from his musings. Language enthusiasts will also enjoy his podcast, where he is joined by fellow linguistics experts for discussions. https://dannybate.com/
7.Dave Buchen (Writer), Why is a Tiger a Tiger?
An etymology enthusiast, Dave has self-published two picture books on word origins: Why is a Tiger a Tiger?, which explores the origins of animal terms, and Why is an Apple an Apple?, which looks into the etymology of fruits and vegetables. The etymologies are presented in a straightforward manner, and the large format makes these books a perfect, leisurely read.
8.Douglas Harper (Creator & Editor), Etymonline
Calling Etymonline a remarkable resource for word origins would be an understatement. Since its launch in 2000, the website has made tracing the lexical journeys of words more accessible by digitising etymologies. Its content is sourced from printed dictionaries and books, preserving the work of lexicographers for a modern audience. https://www.etymonline.com/
9.Elinor Hawkes (Product Manager), OED.com
One of the world’s most trusted dictionaries, the Oxford English Dictionary, relaunched its website on a new platform in 2023, led by Elinor Hawkes. With most research now beginning on search engines rather than dictionary platforms, a key goal of the redesign was to improve search rankings for queries the OED’s data can answer. OED.com is unmatched in tracing the specific senses and meanings of words back to their earliest recorded use. https://www.oed.com/
10.Erica Brozovsky (Sociolinguist) & Katie Graham (Producer), PBS Otherwords
It's remarkable how much you can learn about language, etymology, and culture in under ten minutes. Hosted by Erica Brozovsky, these videos make complex linguistic topics accessible and engaging. The compelling presentation is enhanced by high-quality graphics and production, striking a perfect balance; appealing to both linguists and casual viewers with no prior knowledge of etymology. https://www.youtube.com/@pbsstoried/videos
11.Etoile Marley (Creative Artist)
Bringing obscure words and their meanings to the masses, Etoile Marley shares fascinating, obscure and strange-sounding terms with her 50,000+ TikTok followers. Not all are practical for everyday conversation, but they’re a delight for word lovers nonetheless. https://www.tiktok.com/@etoilemarley
12.Gary Martin (Founder), The Phrase Finder
This is the place to uncover the origins of phrases you've used your entire life. If you’ve ever wondered why certain expressions come so naturally, The Phrase Finder, a trusted resource since 1997, offers reliable explanations of their history. Gary’s efforts in documenting and sharing the stories behind these phrases are truly exceptional. https://www.phrases.org.uk/
13.Gideon (English Teacher & YouTuber), LetThemTalkTV
Gideon covers grammar, phrases, accents, etymology and language quirks on his YouTube channel, offering expert insights and well-researched commentary on all things English. His affable delivery makes complex topics approachable, while the lively comment sections spark further discussion. His accent and dialect deep dives are especially interesting, offering a look at how pronunciation has evolved over time. https://www.youtube.com/@LetThemTalkTV
14.Grant Barrett & Martha Barnette (Hosts), A Way With Words
This radio show turned podcast is a warm and welcoming listen, with callers from around the world phoning in to ask Grant and Martha about words and expressions that puzzle them. There's a strong focus on uncovering the origins of lesser-known phrases - often ones unique to specific regions or communities. https://waywordradio.org/
15.Hana Videen (Writer & Author), The Wordhord & The Deorhord
Hana keeps Old English alive by sharing a word from the historic language daily on her blog, Old English Wordhord. She has also authored two books, including a bestiary that explores old terms for animals and reveals how they were perceived in the past. https://oldenglishwordhord.com/about/
16.Hannah Weyer & Russell Pirkle (Podcasters), Getting Down & Wordy
Etymology through music - Russell and Hannah explore words and language in the context of pop culture, discussing artists, their songs, and the etymologies associated with their music and lyrics. https://creators.spotify.com/pod/profile/gettingdownandwordy/
17.Harry Parkin (Lecturer), Peter McClure (Professor) & Richard Coates (Linguist), Oxford Dictionary of Family Names in Britain and Ireland
Harry, Richard and Peter researched and edited the most comprehensive study of the origins of common surnames in Britain and Ireland, documenting the meanings behind over 45,000 names. The dictionary was published by Oxford University Press in 2016. A special mention goes to lexicographer Patrick Hanks (d. 2024), who served as editor-in-chief. https://www.oxfordreference.com/display/10.1093/acref/9780198868255.001.0001/acref-9780198868255
18.Heddwen Newton (English Teacher), English in Progress
Heddwen’s blog offers clear and thoughtful rundowns on neologisms, with a particular focus on making sense of slang terms popular among Gen Z. New posts are occasional and shared between her main blog and Substack, but always worth the read when they appear. https://englishinprogress.net/
19.Heidi Prunkl (Baby Name Consultant), Baby Name Sunday
For five years, Heidi has been sharing baby name inspiration on her YouTube channel. Each video follows a theme, ranging from ocean and Disney inspired names to seasonal, bohemian and floral choices, while providing explanations of their meanings. https://www.youtube.com/@babynamesunday
20.Human1011 (Social Media Linguist)
Human1011 is a must follow for anyone interested in language shifts, connections and etymology. His videos are fast paced, concise and informative, so it is no surprise he has amassed 250,000 followers on TikTok. https://www.tiktok.com/@human.1011
Test your knowledge of word origins with Derivety, the daily etymology puzzle created by Etymoleon. https://derivety.com
21.Jackson Crawford (Scholar & Linguist)
Approximately five percent of English words are derived from Old Norse, and Jackson Crawford is a leading expert on the language of the Vikings, sharing insights and thoughts on his YouTube channel. https://www.youtube.com/@JacksonCrawford
22.Jacqueline Gerber (Producer), Ideastream Public Media
If you enjoy learning etymologies in short bursts and have a fondness for rude words, you'll love the weekly clips Jacqueline Gerber shares. In just thirty seconds, she reveals the origins of English words that sound naughty. https://www.ideastream.org/wclv/the-naughty-etymologist
23.Jennifer Moss (Founder) & Dr. Mallory Moss Katz (COO), BabyNames.com
BabyNames.com has been a go-to resource for baby name inspiration since 1996, documenting names and helping parents-to-be discover meaningful choices. There’s also an accompanying podcast, hosted by the sisters. https://babynames.com
24.Jess Zafarris (Author), Useless Etymology
Jess Zafarris is an online editor, author and podcaster with a passion for etymology. Her books include Once Upon a Word, Words from Hell, and the upcoming Useless Etymology. She also co-hosts the podcast Words Unravelled alongside fellow word expert and YouTuber Rob Watts (below). https://jesszafarris.com
25. Julia Cresswell (Author), Oxford Dictionary of Word Origins
The Oxford Dictionary of Word Origins is a favourite, offering clear and concise explanations of word histories. You can read it in alphabetical order, use it as a reference when wondering 'where does that come from?', or simply open to a random page to discover how a word evolved.
https://global.oup.com/academic/product/oxford-dictionary-of-word-origins-9780198868750
