offbeat word origins for curious minds
It occurred to me the other day that ravens, while mischievous and intelligent, aren't terribly well-known for having enormous appetites. So wherefore "ravenous"? Turns out it's actually related to "ravine," as in the geographical feature—a deep, narrow gorge. "Ravenous" originally meant "extremely greedy" or "obsessed with plundering" in the 14th century, and was later figuratively… Continue reading If You Are “Ravenous,” You Aren’t Like a Raven
The etymology of the word "kaleidoscope" literally means “observer of beautiful things.”
The following infographic explores the etymology of various dog breeds.
Sarcastic and sardonic are similar, but not precisely the same, in meaning. Sarcastic: "marked by or given to using irony in order to mock or convey contempt." Sardonic: "characterized by bitter or scornful derision; mocking; cynical; sneering: a sardonic grin." The core factor in sarcasm is verbal irony—essentially saying the opposite of what you mean.… Continue reading The SUUPER interesting etymologies of the words “sarcastic” and “sardonic.” 🙄
I was today years old when I learned that these English words are—or come from—Yiddish. Other people who are smarter or more Jewish than me probably knew the Yiddish origins of many of them, but color me ignorant. Here's hoping one of them surprises you as much as it did me. L'Chaim! "Maven," an expert… Continue reading 8 English Words That Come from Yiddish
"Raccoon" comes from the Algoniquan/Powhatan word arahkunem, meaning "he scratches with the hands," which was first clumsily adapted by English colonists including John Smith. (Also related, "trash panda" is from the internet, circa... 2016 probably.) "Raccoon" is often shortened to "coon," which was also a nickname for members of the American Whig Party in the… Continue reading The Etymology of “Raccoon” and “Coon”
"Decal," a design that can be transferred onto another surface, is short for "decalcomania," from French décalcomanie (Latin calcare "to tread on, press"). Decalcomania may also be the source of "cockamamie," meaning "nonsense, implausible," from the name of a series of children's temporary tattoos. Invented around 1750 by French engraver Simon François Ravenet when he… Continue reading The Etymology of “Decal” and “Cockamamie”
