Thinking about the word “their”
If you had to write about “their”, what would you write?
Fun with etymology
The word “fascinating” comes from witchcraft
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” would be related somehow to facets. Like the facets of a diamond are fascinating. But …
The NFL consolation game could outdraw the Super Bowl this year
This year both NFL conference championship games ended with controversies. The New Orleans Saints lost to the Los Angeles Rams in overtime. Some say the Saints should have won due to some officiating mistake. The Kansas City Chiefs lost to the New England Patriots. Honestly, who wants to see the Patriots in another Super Bowl? …
The NFL consolation game could outdraw the Super Bowl this year Read More »
The name for coffee cup cardboard sleeves is Zarf
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, it is real. Zarf is an Arabic word for vessel. According to etymonline, the usage …
The name for coffee cup cardboard sleeves is Zarf Read More »
Volute is related to the word revolve
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 called volutes? Is volute based from some other word? TO THE ONLINE ETYMOLOGY DICTIONARY! The …
Science fiction is totally cool
[button link=”http://spudart.deviantart.com/art/Science-fiction-is-totally-cool-589672191?purchase=print” size=”large” color=”orange”]» Art prints and canvas available[/button] Giant alien robots invade Chicago! Death rays shoot out of their eyes. The campy setup makes for a great B-movie sci-fi thriller poster. What could be more fun? Swap out the killer robot from Venus; and put in a giant mole with death rays shooting …
Tortoise means animal of a sunless abyss
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 porpoise>) from Middle English tortuse> (late 15c.), tortuce> (mid-15c.), tortuge> (late 14c.), from M.L. tortuca> …
What to write for a congratulations note in a wedding card
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” appeared many times in people’s wishes, so I looked it up on etymonline.com: Congratulations mid-15c., …
What to write for a congratulations note in a wedding card Read More »
Etymology app for the iPhone
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
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 it is a polymer of styrene (see styrene). What does styrene mean? In 1885, they …
The meaning of joy
The etymology of joy reveals that joy means to cause a person to be in a state of gladness.