Etymology
FRENCH AND ITALIAN DISEASES
Syphilis has a fascinating history that dates back to the 1490s during the French invasion of Italy. Interestingly, each country had its own name for the disease based on…
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The special counsel has successfully concluded the Justice Department's investigations into Donald J. Trump's involvement…
John Robson: When It Comes to Science, Nothing Can Be Taken for Granted
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Nursing Home Industry Wants Trump to Rescind Staffing Mandate
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Latest Etymology
On ‘giving’ and ‘giving back’
Charitable giving is often seen as a way of "giving back," implying a sense of repaying a debt. However, my…
OHR WURMS
The term earworm originated in 1598, referring to the earwig insect. However, its modern meaning of a catchy tune…
Avast! 6 Swashbuckling Word Origins for International Talk Like a Pirate Day – Useless Etymology
Note: This is an excerpt from my forthcoming book Words from Hell: Unearthing the darkest secrets of English etymology (Chambers,…
BITTER CHERRY
Both definitions of the word maraschino, describing either the type of cherry or the liqueur obtained from distilling cherries, come…
A tale of tricky endings
Q: What are the rules for using the suffixes “-tion,” “-sion,” and “-cion”? Very Interested, Busy and Confused Teachers. A:…
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;…