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 26-50, click to see 1-25, 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
26.Kevin Stroud (Writer & Producer), The History of English Podcast
This is the most comprehensive podcast on the development of the English language. With episodes dating back to 2012, you can follow them chronologically or explore topics at your own pace. If you’re curious about how English evolved, you'll find the answers in one of Kevin’s nearly 200 episodes. https://historyofenglishpodcast.com/
27.Laura Spinney (Journalist & Author), Proto
Laura’s book 'Proto: How One Ancient Language Went Global' traces the development of Proto-Indo-European into the many modern languages it influenced. Drawing on linguistic, archaeological and genetic evidence, she explains how languages as distinct as German, Greek and Lithuanian share similar sounding words that all stem from a common origin. https://www.lauraspinney.com/
28.Laurie Knox (Teacher & Content Creator), Knox Study
Over a million people on TikTok follow Laurie for insights into word origins, language quirks and grammar rules. While there are occasional detours into other topics, for instance the richest football clubs in the world, most of the content stays firmly focused on fascinating facts about the English language. https://www.tiktok.com/@knoxstudy
29.Mark Forsyth (Writer), The Etymologicon
If you're here to explore word origins and history and don’t own Mark’s The Etymologicon, get it now, you won’t be disappointed. And if you're an etymology enthusiast or a seasoned linguist without this book... it’s time to fix that. https://blog.inkyfool.com/
30.Mark Sundaram (Historical Linguist), The Endless Knot
Search The Endless Knot on YouTube Shorts to watch Mark expertly unravel the linguistic threads that connect seemingly unrelated words, tracing them back to Proto-Indo-European. Prepare to learn how ‘etiquette’ and ‘distinguish’ share a common root, or how ‘shrove’ and ‘carnival’ are linked in ways you wouldn’t expect. https://www.alliterative.net/
31.Matthew Eagles (Lexicographer), Old English Dictionary
Matthew’s dictionary contains 9,000 entries, translating words between Old English and Modern English. This pocket-sized book is an impressive resource, capturing the earliest form of English. Word lovers will enjoy browsing its pages to discover which Anglo-Saxon terms have survived into modern usage and which have faded. https://www.mattheweagles.co.uk/oldenglish.htm
32.Michael Brook (Surname Researcher), The Internet Surname Database
If you search for the origin of a surname, you'll find plenty of suggestions, but when it comes to credible research, The Internet Surname Database (SurnameDB.com) is a trusted source. The project began long before its online launch in 2006 and remains a go-to for reliable surname origins. For those wanting a keepsake, the company also sells calligraphic scrolls detailing surname histories. https://surnamedb.com/
33.Michael Proffitt (Chief Editor), Oxford English Dictionary
Michael is the eighth Chief Editor of the Oxford English Dictionary, a publication with roots dating back to 1857. The task of compiling and updating word meanings is never truly finished, and Michael oversees this ongoing work, signing off on the entries submitted by a team of expert lexicographers. https://www.oed.com/
34.Mike Campbell (Founder), Behind The Name
Mike launched Behind the Name in 1996, creating one of the most comprehensive online resources for the meanings and etymologies of given names. The website features over 25,000 curated entries, along with a supplementary directory of nearly 200,000 names submitted by users. A popular feature is the baby name popularity tool, which lets you explore naming trends by year using government data from various countries. https://www.behindthename.com/
35.Muco (Singer)
A modern-day musician with a love for language, Muco brings Middle English and Old English to life through song. The British-Burundian artist has built a TikTok following of over 50,000 by singing in historical forms of English, paired with modern translations on screen. It’s an engaging way to learn forgotten words and hear the sounds of earlier English in a fresh context. https://www.tiktok.com/@muco_0
36.Nardi (Linguist)
You have to check out Nardi’s short videos on TikTok, where he pronounces words from their hypothesised Proto-Indo-European roots all the way to their modern English forms, clearly showing how they change at each stage. The Ancient Greek kánnabis might not seem related to the word hemp, but after watching Nardi’s eight-second breakdown, it all clicks. https://www.tiktok.com/@languagehacks
37.Pascal Tréguer (Blogger), Word Histories
Follow the Word Histories blog for thoroughly researched etymologies of words and expressions. Pascal goes to great lengths to uncover early uses and original meanings, often debunking widely believed but inaccurate origins with precision and clarity. https://wordhistories.net/
38.Patricia T. O'Conner & Stewart Kellerman (Authors), Grammarphobia
The Grammarphobia blog, written by published authors Patricia and Stewart, is a go-to source when you're searching for clarity on the etymologies of terms and phrases. With content spanning nearly a decade, the blog covers far more than just word origins. It's also packed with thoughtful explanations of grammar quirks and the kinds of language questions you've always wanted answered. https://www.grammarphobia.com/
39.Patrick Foote (YouTuber), Name Explain
Countries, vegetables, people, animals - everything has a name, and chances are Patrick has covered it. His YouTube channel Name Explain is a rich archive of videos explaining how names came to be. If you're curious about the origins of names, his channel is worth a follow. https://www.youtube.com/@NameExplain
Test your knowledge of word origins with Derivety, the daily etymology puzzle created by Etymoleon. https://derivety.com
40.Peter Sokolowski (Editor-At-Large), Merriam Webster
The first edition of America’s principal English-language dictionary was published in 1847. Peter has been with Merriam Webster since 1994 and also hosts the Word of the Day, a daily, two-minute podcast where he brings words to life with context, meaning and etymology. https://www.merriam-webster.com/
41.Rachel Fletcher (Editor), Cambridge Dictionary
First published in 1995, the Cambridge Dictionary is a relatively modern addition to the world of lexicography. Originally designed as a learner’s dictionary, its online entries place a strong emphasis on usage examples, making it especially useful for those looking to understand how words function in context. https://dictionary.cambridge.org/
42.Rob Watts (YouTuber & Podcaster), RobWords
A former journalist and newsreader, Rob has spent the past five years teaching etymology in a way that’s both playful and educational, growing a YouTube audience of over 700,000 followers. He also co-hosts the Words Unravelled podcast with Jess Zafarris (above), where they talk all things linguistics. https://robwords.com/
43.Sarah Brownsword (Language Expert), GrammarSlammer
If you’ve ever had a question about grammar rules, chances are Sarah has already answered it in one of her TikTok videos. And if she hasn’t, leave a polite comment; there’s a good chance she’ll cover it in a future post. Her clear, insightful explanations often lead to those “How did I never notice that?” moments. A lecturer by profession, Sarah originally started making videos for her students and now has a following of over 30,000. https://www.tiktok.com/@grammarslammer
44.Simon Roper (Linguist)
Simon’s YouTube channel is a must-visit for anyone curious about Old Englis, the earliest form of the language you’re reading now, once spoken by the Anglo-Saxons. While he covers a broad range of English linguistics, his focus is on the evolution of regional dialects and pronunciation shifts. The content can be scholarly at times, reflecting his deep expertise in the field. The videos where he speaks in Old English and Middle English are not to be missed, they showcase of his skill and passion. https://www.youtube.com/@simonroper9218
45.SJ Strum (Baby Name Consultant and YouTuber), Baby Name Monday
For nearly eight years, SJ (Sarah-Jayne) has been sharing baby name inspiration on her parenting YouTube channel. On Mondays, she posts themed name lists, each with meanings and thoughtful suggestions for parents-to-be. Her passion has led to consulting work, helping parents find the perfect name, and in summer 2025, she released her first book, Baby Name Envy. https://www.youtube.com/@SJ_Strum/videos
46.Sophia Smith Galer (Author & Journalist)
Sophia has written for the BBC, Vice and The Guardian, but she’s also built a loyal following of over 800,000 across Instagram and TikTok, where she shares takes on language facts and how we communicate. Be sure to check out her Eatymology playlist on TikTok; just as it sounds, it’s all about the etymology of food-related words. Look out for her forthcoming book, which will examine how languages disappear. https://sophiasmithgaler.com/
47.Steve Johnson (Curriculum Design Manager), Dictionary Media Group/IXL Learning
One of the earliest dictionaries to launch online, Dictionary.com is now part of IXL Learning, joining a portfolio of educational brands that includes Rosetta Stone and SpanishDictionary.com. https://www.dictionary.com/
48.Susie Dent (Presenter & Author), Countdown
Susie Dent is widely regarded as Britain’s leading etymologist and lexicographer. Since 1992, she has been a fixture on Countdown, a long-running British television quiz show that combines word and maths games. As part of the show’s “dictionary corner” she adjudicates contestants’ word answers and shares the origins of words and phrases with viewers. Susie has authored several books on etymology, including Interesting Stories about Curious Words (2023), and more recently ventured into fiction with her debut novel, Guilt by Definition (2024). https://www.instagram.com/susiedent/
49.Tom Read Wilson (Presenter & Author), On the Tip of My Tongue
Tom, a British TV presenter and actor, is also a passionate word enthusiast. He shares daily words and their meanings on his social media channels and has authored two etymology books: On the Tip of My Tongue and Every Word Tells a Story. https://www.instagram.com/tomreadwilson/
50.Wikipedians
This is a collective nod to the volunteers behind Wiktionary, the open-source dictionary that documents words along with their origins, whether confirmed, theorised or uncertain, as well as their pronunciations. Their ongoing contributions help build a vast and ever-evolving resource for language enthusiasts around the world. https://www.wiktionary.org/