This probably comes from Middle English bache, bæcche (“bank, sandbank”), and from Old English bæċe, beċe (“beck, brook, stream”). In dialect around Sussex and Kent, beach still has the meaning "pebbles worn by the waves.
Sunday, May 19, 2013
Beach
The word "Beach" can be found in the 1530's. It meant "loose, water-worn pebbles of the seashore" and extended around 1590 to "loose, pebbly shores".
This probably comes from Middle English bache, bæcche (“bank, sandbank”), and from Old English bæċe, beċe (“beck, brook, stream”). In dialect around Sussex and Kent, beach still has the meaning "pebbles worn by the waves.
This probably comes from Middle English bache, bæcche (“bank, sandbank”), and from Old English bæċe, beċe (“beck, brook, stream”). In dialect around Sussex and Kent, beach still has the meaning "pebbles worn by the waves.
Picnic an old potluck!
The word "Picnic" comes from the 17th century french "Pique-Nique". It is the association of two words: Pique, an abbreviation of "Picorer" (Peck, eat like a bird) and Nique (something of few value).
Originally, it could take place either outside or inside, as long as each participant was bringing his own food. This is the true ancester of our potluck!
Originally, it could take place either outside or inside, as long as each participant was bringing his own food. This is the true ancester of our potluck!
Wednesday, February 13, 2013
Gorilla
The world gorilla derives from Greek Γόριλλαι (Gorillai) meaning "tribe of hairy women".
A translation of a report written by Hanno, Carthaginian navigator, who voyaged before 480 b.c., and went as far as Sierra Leone in his explorations mention this word. In the Greek translation of his report he tells of seeing Gorillai, the name of which he allegedly learned from local informants and which he thought were members of a tribe of hairy women.
Rather than women it is alleged he probably had an incounter with the great apes. It makes you wonder how greek women looked in those days!
A translation of a report written by Hanno, Carthaginian navigator, who voyaged before 480 b.c., and went as far as Sierra Leone in his explorations mention this word. In the Greek translation of his report he tells of seeing Gorillai, the name of which he allegedly learned from local informants and which he thought were members of a tribe of hairy women.
Rather than women it is alleged he probably had an incounter with the great apes. It makes you wonder how greek women looked in those days!
Monday, February 11, 2013
Conclave
A conclave is a place where cardinals are locked until they elect a new pope. The word was already used in the XIVth century and comes from Latin: con- "together" and clavis "a key".
Avocado
An avocado is a pear-shaped fruit with dark green, leathery skin, a large stony
seed, and greenish-yellow edible pulp.
Originally the Aztecs called this fruit ahucatl after their word for testicle. This is may be partly due to the fruit's resemblance to a testicle, but also because it was supposedly believed to be an aphrodisiac. To the Spaniards ahucatl sounded like avocado (=advocate, Spanish), and so the fruit came to Europe, via Spain, under that name.
Originally the Aztecs called this fruit ahucatl after their word for testicle. This is may be partly due to the fruit's resemblance to a testicle, but also because it was supposedly believed to be an aphrodisiac. To the Spaniards ahucatl sounded like avocado (=advocate, Spanish), and so the fruit came to Europe, via Spain, under that name.
Quarantine
Quarantine is a state, period, or place of isolation in which
people or animals that have arrived from elsewhere or been exposed to
infectious or contagious disease are placed.
This comes from the venitian word "quarantena" meaning 40 days. Originally when a ship arriving in port was suspected of being infected with a malignant, contagious disease, its cargo and crew were obliged to forego all contact with the shore for a period of around forty days. This term came to be known as period of quarantine.
This comes from the venitian word "quarantena" meaning 40 days. Originally when a ship arriving in port was suspected of being infected with a malignant, contagious disease, its cargo and crew were obliged to forego all contact with the shore for a period of around forty days. This term came to be known as period of quarantine.
From pot smoker to assassin...
An assassin is a murderer, generally somewhat professional; especially one who murders a prominent figure.
This word has a long history going back to the Crusades. The members of a secret Muslim sect engaged people to terrorise their Christian enemies by performing murders as a religious duty.
These acts were carried out under the influence of hashish, and so the killers became known as hashshashin, meaning eaters or smokers of hashish. Hashshashin evolved into the word assassin.
This word has a long history going back to the Crusades. The members of a secret Muslim sect engaged people to terrorise their Christian enemies by performing murders as a religious duty.
These acts were carried out under the influence of hashish, and so the killers became known as hashshashin, meaning eaters or smokers of hashish. Hashshashin evolved into the word assassin.
Sunday, February 10, 2013
Funny english word: Kerfuffle!
Kerfuffle means a commotion or fuss, especially one caused by conflicting views
It started to be used early 19th century. It probably comes from Scots curfuffle, equivalent to ker- + fuffle, or related to Irish cior thual ("char athwart: confusion, disorder"). Similar to modern Welsh cythrwfl ("uproar, trouble, agitation")
It started to be used early 19th century. It probably comes from Scots curfuffle, equivalent to ker- + fuffle, or related to Irish cior thual ("char athwart: confusion, disorder"). Similar to modern Welsh cythrwfl ("uproar, trouble, agitation")
Funny english word: Discombobulate!
Discombobulate is an American English, fanciful coinage of a type popular in 1834. It means to confuse someone.
Saturday, February 9, 2013
Sideburns or Burnsides?
The name sideburns comes from Ambrose Burnside, a Union general in the Civil War. He sported some truly
epic facial hair.
It was such a distinctive look that people began referring to the style as "burnsides," which eventually slid around to become "sideburns".
It was such a distinctive look that people began referring to the style as "burnsides," which eventually slid around to become "sideburns".
Boycott
We all know that a boycott is "an act of voluntarily abstaining from using, buying,
or dealing with a person, organization, or country as an expression of
protest" (Wikipedia)
But the word "boycott" is quite recent and entered the English language during the Irish "Land War". It comes from the name of Charles Boycott, the land agent of an absentee landlord. He was subject to social ostracism organized by the Irish Land League in 1880 after he tried to evict eleven tenants from the land. Despite the difficult economical situation, all other tenants and employees refused to perform further work for him.
But the word "boycott" is quite recent and entered the English language during the Irish "Land War". It comes from the name of Charles Boycott, the land agent of an absentee landlord. He was subject to social ostracism organized by the Irish Land League in 1880 after he tried to evict eleven tenants from the land. Despite the difficult economical situation, all other tenants and employees refused to perform further work for him.
You little devil .... 's advocate!
Although "playing devil’s advocate" now means to take a position just
for the sake of argument, it has its origins
in the Roman Catholic Church.
When considering someone for sainthood, the Promoter of the Faith, aka the Devil’s Advocate, would take the opposing view and try to poke holes in the case supporting that particular canonization.
When considering someone for sainthood, the Promoter of the Faith, aka the Devil’s Advocate, would take the opposing view and try to poke holes in the case supporting that particular canonization.
Thursday, February 7, 2013
Poor king...
"Checkmate" is more literal than you think: The chess term is an alteration of "shah mat," a Persian phrase that meant "the king is ambushed."
Lost in poetry...
Just be warned, before you start writing a poem: no word in the English language rhymes with: month, orange, silver or purple.
Goodbye... but is it?
The word ” GoodBye” comes from the word ” GodBye” used in Old English which used to mean: “God be with you”.
From game to job: knuckle down!
The expression "to knuckle down", meaning to apply oneself earnestly or vigorously originated from playing marbles: players used to put their knuckles to the ground for their best shots
Jukebox
The jukebox is a great invention and it's name remains the same in many languages. But what does "juke" mean?
Juke is an old english word that means "Dancing".so next time you hear one, don't just listen but stand up and get some exercise, after all this is what it was meant for!
Juke is an old english word that means "Dancing".so next time you hear one, don't just listen but stand up and get some exercise, after all this is what it was meant for!
Wednesday, February 6, 2013
Can women testify?
If we would go by the origin of the word "testify", women could not do it. The word was based on men in the Roman court swearing to a statement made by swearing on their testicles.
Why is jeans textile called denim?
The cotton textile used to make jeans is called denim because originally it was imported "from Nimes" (de Nimes) a small town in south of France
The word "Jean" was refering to a different, lighter cotton textile. It comes from the french name for the town Genoa in Italy: Gênes, where the first denim trousers were made.
Why trousers and not trouser?
This piece of clothing was made of two parts, one for each leg. The pieces were put on each leg separately and then wrapped and tied or belted at the waist.
Think about garters or tights for men!
The Romans encountered this style of clothing among the Galli and they called them Braccae. Roman who typically wore tunics found them first quite effeminate even though this was a typical man attire.
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