Etymology posts

The word “fascinating” comes from witchcraft September 9, 2019
The etymology of the word “fascinating” comes from witchcraft. That explains why people say “fascinating” slowly, as though one is in a spell. I looked up “fascinating” because my three-year-old asked me what that word meant. I thought that “fascinating”…
The name for coffee cup cardboard sleeves is Zarf January 12, 2019
Those goofy cardboard sleeves around takeout coffee cups. What are they called? Today I learned they are called a Zarf. What an wonderful word. Zarf. How in the world is it such a cool word? Is that for real? Yes,…
Volute is related to the word revolve November 8, 2018
The curly thing at the end of a staircase handrail is called a volute. Any architecture ornament that is a spiral is also called a volute. Today volute is dictionary.com’s Word of the Day. Volute. Why are curly, spiral things…
Tortoise means animal of a sunless abyss September 6, 2012
The word tortoise is quite a mystery. Tortoise is a weird word. Tortoise. Tortoise. Just look at it. Tortoise. Tor-toise. It almost sounds dainty. But it’s for a clunky turtle. Etymonline.com doesn’t reveal much: 1550s, altered (perhaps by influence of…
What to write for a congratulations note in a wedding card July 19, 2012
Looking to write something unique in a wedding card? Congratulations. Congratulations. Congratulations. You see it so often. But what does it really mean? At work a card was being passed around for a former coworker who is getting married. “Congratulations”…
Etymology app for the iPhone October 21, 2009
Etymology. There’s no app for that. Dear iPhone developers, Please give the world an app for etymology. Much love, matt
The word Styrofoam has origins in trees October 19, 2009
What does styrofoam mean? Styro. You’d think that’s made up, right? Styrofoam is a trademark name by Dow Chemical Co. in 1950. It’s based from the word polystyrene. (see polystyrene) What does polystyrene mean? Etymonline.com says: 1927, so called because…
The meaning of joy May 13, 2009
The etymology of joy reveals that joy means to cause a person to be in a state of gladness.
Enjoy and discount: funny words to say over and over April 22, 2009
You know what’s a funny word to say over and over? Enjoy. Enjoy. Enjoy. Enjoy. Enjoy. Enjoy. Enjoy. Enjoy. Enjoy. Enjoy. Enjoy. Enjoy. Enjoy. Enjoy. Enjoy. Enjoy. Enjoy. Enjoy. Enjoy. Enjoy. Enjoy. Enjoy. Enjoy. Enjoy. Enjoy. Enjoy. Enjoy. Enjoy. Enjoy.…
IDEA: Etymology book of words coined in 20th century July 30, 2008
I’d love to see all the words that have origins in the 20th century. All the entries would be sorted by year. Random House’s little online section is cute, New Words: Sixty years of new words. It lists a handful…
The word “update” was invented in 1948 July 29, 2008
Update. That’s a weird word when you look at it. Up. Date. It’s like a day that’s up in the air. Even weirder, according to etymonline.com the word “update” has only been around since 1948. Oooooh, I’m so curious what…
Swarmy vs. Smarmy June 25, 2004
Did you know that "smarmy" originally meant "smooth and sleek?" Discover the fascinating history behind this word and how it came to mean "ingratiating, unctuous."
cutsie or cutesie? February 19, 2004
How does one spell the word Cutsie/Cutesie? Cutesy: 1,300,000 google results Cutsie: 409,000 results Cutezee: 351,000 results Cutesie: 208,000 results Cutsey: 163,000 results Cutesie la-tootsie: 1 result (this very blog post) Cütesîe: 0 results Three observations: Cutesy is the clear-cut cute winner. Cutezee…