etymology
Written by: David Mikkelson
Sept. 29, 1999
The 'middle finger salute' did not derive from the defiant gestures of English archers whose fin ...
Written by: David Emery
Oct. 14, 2022
Who knew lying about word origins was such a popular pastime?
Written by: Dan Evon
March 22, 2021
Erik the Red's 10th century marketing ploy is still fooling some people.
Written by: David Emery
July 19, 2018
How factual is the claim that the name of the children's game "tag" originated as the acronym of ...
Written by: Kim LaCapria David Emery
Oct. 14, 2017
Anecdotal reports say the expression "a shot of whiskey" came into being when cowboys traded bul ...
Written by: Dan Evon
Jan. 23, 2017
A persistent rumor holds that the term "snowflake" originated during the Holocaust, but no evide ...
Written by: Brooke Binkowski
Feb. 8, 2016
Both "avocado" and "guacamole" derive from the Nahuatl word for the fruit, which only secondaril ...
Written by: Barbara Mikkelson David Mikkelson
March 25, 2014
Did the slang phrase for kicking a habit all at once originate with a literal reference to a plu ...
Written by: Barbara Mikkelson
May 9, 2013
Common usage of the phrase "Always a bridesmaid but never a bride" originated with an advertisin ...
Written by: David Mikkelson
Sept. 25, 2012
According to rumors the word 'swag' carried a clandestine message.
Written by: Barbara Mikkelson
May 1, 2012
The etymology of the phrase 'the whole nine yards.'
Written by: Barbara Mikkelson
April 16, 2012
Was blackmail so designated because letters of extortion were sent by mail?
Written by: Barbara Mikkelson
Feb. 21, 2012
The etymology of the phrase 'another kick at the cat.'
Written by: Barbara Mikkelson
April 23, 2011
The etymology of the phrase 'salad days.'
Written by: Barbara Mikkelson
Nov. 1, 2010
The etymology of the phrases contained in the 'Little History Lesson' article.
Written by: Barbara Mikkelson
Aug. 7, 2010
There is nothing obvious about why a cat's being released from a bag has anything to do with tru ...
Written by: Barbara Mikkelson
June 4, 2010
The etymology of the phrase 'Mind your p's and q's.'
Written by: Snopes Staff Barbara Mikkelson
April 14, 2010
"Posh" is a word now best understood as a descriptor of something elegant or stylishly luxurious.
Written by: Barbara Mikkelson
Feb. 13, 2010
The etymologies of the phrases 'One for the road' and 'On the wagon.'
Written by: Barbara Mikkelson David Mikkelson
Jan. 17, 2010
Does "phat" come from an acronym formed from "Pretty Hot And Tempting"?
Page: 2