Etymology
FALLING CADENCE
The term cadence has been part of the English language since the late fourteenth century. It was borrowed from Middle French and ultimately originated from the Old Italian noun…
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Latest Etymology
GIRLBOSSIFIED
At GIRLBOSSIFIED, we are dedicated to empowering women in business and helping them reach their full potential. Our mission is…
The Shocking Etymology of “Taser,” and the Racism Hidden Behind It – Useless Etymology
Note: This is an extended excerpt from my forthcoming book Words from Hell: Unearthing the darkest secrets of English etymology…
TRIPLE UNION SOCIETY
There are five main definitions of the word triad. In music, it can refer to a chord of three tones;…
The Grammarphobia Blog: When ‘like’ means ‘lack’
Q: Is it common in the South, specifically in Kentucky, for people to use “like” to mean “lack”? For example,…
CASSEROLE PAN
The term casserole was adopted in the early 1700s from French, where it denoted a "sauce pan." The suffix…
‘Words From Hell’ Emerges from the UnderWord, Exposing Etymology Horrors for All to See – Useless Etymology
Plus, 5 haunting etymology facts to celebrate the book’s Halloween release. Something wicked—and wordy—this way comes. Today, Oct. 31, 2023,…
SUBLIME LIMITS
The origin of the English word "limit" can be traced back to the Latin noun limes, meaning "path" or…
‘You had your will of me’
In James Joyce's "The Dead," the mention of "The Lass of Aughrim" raises questions about the use of the word…