April 2024 – Useless Etymology

The Tragic Etymology of “Nostalgia”

April 30, 2024April 29, 2024 Jess Zafarris1 Comment

The word "nostalgia" first described homesickness and likely PTSD symptoms experienced by Swiss soldiers and mercenaries who fought abroad in the 1700s. Nostalgia has a surprisingly tragic origin. In 1688, Swiss medical student Johannes Hofer wrote a dissertation about a condition that was common to Swiss soldiers and mercenaries who were fighting in other parts… Continue reading The Tragic Etymology of “Nostalgia”

The Etymology of “Dude”

April 22, 2024May 15, 2024 Jess Zafarris1 Comment

This word first described men—especially Northeasterners—with a penchant for fashion, worldliness, and foreign fare. It also boasts a curious connection to "macaronic language." Hey dude! Ever wonder about the origin of the word “dude”? This word is first recorded in the late 1800s as a word for a man who is foppish and fastidious, meaning… Continue reading The Etymology of “Dude”