The word “distressed” might seem straightforward, but a closer look reveals a rich and surprising history. Financial applications of “distressed” are particularly relevant today. We often hear about “distressed companies” and “distressed assets” during economic downturns. Interestingly, these terms were used as early as the 19th century! An 1866 Times …
The word “extravaganza” boasts a rich history, journeying from its specific literary roots to encompass the extravagant displays of today. Originally borrowed from Italian, “extravaganza” first described a 19th-century writing style known for its excessive elaborateness. Victorian stage plays served as prime examples, often featuring fantastical elements and whimsical interpretations …
The other day I happened to use the word skinflint, and even as the word was popping out of my mouth, it occurred to me to wonder where on earth it had come from. Does it meant that you’re flinty-skinned? Or that you have such a lean and hungry look …
Once upon a time, there were some goats (trust me, this is leading somewhere). These particular goats lived on a farm in Nottinghamshire a thousand years or so ago. This farm was therefore known as the Goat-Homestead or Gat-Ham. This later changed to Gotham. And the village of Gotham is still there …
Today, I met with the “farmer,” but not the kind with muddy boots and a tractor. This farmer collects a different kind of harvest: taxes. While the image of a farmer tilling land might come to mind, the origin of the term and your recent encounter reveal a surprising truth. …
i have been looking for a new place to live recently and one of the properties of interest had a loft. A loft is, of course, aloft. It is up in the air and therefore cognate with the German Lufthansa and Luftwaffe (which just means air force). Loft is a …
Nestled on a narrow Greek neck of land, the city of Corinth once held a sweet claim to fame: its raisins. These weren’t your average grocery shop fare, though. Back in medieval England, they were known as “raysyn of Curans,” a nod to their Corinthian origin. But over time, laziness …
The figures of rhetoric were a series of formulas devised by the Ancient Greeks for writing beautiful, memorable lines. They weren’t plucked out of nothing, of course. They started out by looking at lines that were already famous and seeing what they had in common. So you take: Bond, James …
The word “telegraph” is a fascinating example of how language evolves through the blending of different linguistic roots. The term is composed of two distinct elements: “tele” and “graph.” “Tele” is derived from the Greek word “tēle,” which means “far away” or “distant.” This root is found in a variety …
In the realm of human perception, the line between hearing and understanding can be surprisingly blurred. This is where mondegreens come into play – those delightful auditory illusions that transform the lyrics of songs into something entirely different. The term “mondegreen” was coined by Sylvia Wright in 1954, inspired by …
