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etymology

Etymology of Hot Dog

Written by: David Mikkelson

March 29, 2001

Was the term 'hot dog' coined by a sports cartoonist who couldn't spell 'dachshund'?

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Nylon (polyhexamethyleneadipamide) was invented in 1935 by an organic chemist under contract to DuPont.

Did 'Nylon' Get Its Name By Conflating the Words 'New York' and 'London'?

Written by: Barbara Mikkelson

March 26, 2001

Nylon stockings hit the market in 1939, after being introduced at the New York World's Fair.

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blue laws

Why Are Blue Laws Called 'Blue Laws'?

Written by: David Mikkelson

March 11, 2001

The term 'blue laws' historically defined regulations intended to preserve the Sabbath by proscr ...

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picnic

Did the Word 'Picnic' Originate with Lynchings?

Written by: Snopes Staff Barbara Mikkelson

Jan. 21, 2001

Neither the concept nor the word 'picnic' originated with crowds gathering to witness extrajudic ...

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Etymology of Handicap

Written by: Barbara Mikkelson

Jan. 21, 2001

Did the word 'handicap' originate with the disabled's having to beg for a living?

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A cannon can be seen in a room that looks to be the interior of a ship.

Brass Monkeys

Written by: David Mikkelson

Jan. 9, 2001

Were brass monkeys used to store cannonballs on ships?

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Life in the 1500s

Written by: Barbara Mikkelson

Dec. 16, 2000

A list purported to offer the origins of numerous common English-language sayings dating to the ...

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Etymology of Mad As a Hatter

Written by: Barbara Mikkelson

April 24, 2000

Does the phrase 'mad as a hatter' refer to hat-makers poisoned by mercury fumes?

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Etymology of the F-Word?

Written by: Barbara Mikkelson David Mikkelson

July 12, 1999

Did the word "fuck" originate as an acronym of the phrase "For Unlawful Carnal Knowledge"?

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Etymology of Crips

Written by: Barbara Mikkelson

Dec. 31, 1998

What is the origin of name of the L.A. street gang known as the Crips?

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Etymology of Red Light District

Written by: Barbara Mikkelson

March 12, 1998

Did 'red light district' come from railway brakemen leaving their lanterns on cathouse porches?

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