Word and Phrase Origins
Includes questions related to the origins and etymology of English words and phrases.
Total questions 16800
What does four score and ten mean and where does the term 'score' come from?
90. A "score" is 20. Four score = 80 The term "score" was a commonly-used Middle English word, from the Old English "scoru,"...
Popularity: 126 • Tools: Recategorize
Why did they call Moxie soda 'Moxie'?
Your all kind of right. Moxie falls was named by natives because of the meaning black water. I don't remember why but there was a...
Popularity: 79 • Tools: Recategorize
Where does the slogan 'You Are Here' come from?
Go to a map inside of a museum, airport, train station, shopping mall, or any large venue. There will be a red dot, an arrow, or...
Popularity: 76 • Tools: Recategorize
What is the origin of the terminology 'FAQ'?
FAQs became popular in the earliest days of the Internet. Wikipedia cites them as appearing in the early 1980s with the...
Popularity: 75 • Tools: Recategorize
What origin does caramel come from?
A variety of answers can be given for this question. Caramel is a combination of caramelized sugar and heavy cream ,which would...
Popularity: 72 • Tools: Recategorize
What is the origin and history of 'An eye for an eye - A tooth for a tooth'?
This is found in the Holy Bible. life for life, eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand Exodus 21:23, 24 The law of "an eye...
Popularity: 68 • Tools: Recategorize
Astrologically speaking what is the meaning and origin of luck?
It is curious that Brand should not have noticed the superstitions of actors and actresses, for they are as essentially a modern...
Popularity: 66 • Tools: Recategorize
Who coined the term elephant in the room?
The expression is American in origin, though it has become extremely common in the UK since 2004. In the article you mention,...
Popularity: 61 • Tools: Recategorize
Why is a woman's breast called a 'tit'?
The word spelt 'teat' is pronounced 'tit' ___________________________________________________________________________ a womans...
Popularity: 58 • Tools: Recategorize
Where did the expression 'the bee's knees' originate?
Some will say that the expression means something small and insignifigant. You'll have to agree, the knee of a bee is pretty...
Popularity: 58 • Tools: Recategorize
Where did the phrase 'cute as a button' come from?
Meaning: cute as a button 'quail' The 'button' quail was small, gray & super fluffy.
Popularity: 58 • Tools: Recategorize
Where did the term horse play is fools play originate from?
That exact term doesn't seem to be defined anywhere, but "horse play" probably originated from the way young horses frolic and...
Popularity: 57 • Tools: Recategorize
Where did the phrase 'beat you like a red-headed stepchild' come from and what does it mean?
I think all the explainations below are written by people trying to avoid the unpleasant and far more basic meaning: A step child...
Popularity: 53 • Tools: Recategorize
Where did the expression 'It ain't over til' the fat lady sings' originate?
Opera, or at least the low-brow interpretation of what's going on in opera. There are three basic possibilities for the...
Popularity: 50 • Tools: Recategorize
How did the expression 'In like Flynn' come about?
Dates back to 1945, refering to how easily movie star Errol Flynn could get women into bed with him. See related Links for the...
Popularity: 50 • Tools: Recategorize
Why do you say 'God bless you' and not 'God blesses you'?
This is what is called a hortatory subjunctive, used in wishes and third person imperatives. God blesses you is a simple...
Popularity: 50 • Tools: Recategorize
What country of origin is the word scuba derived from?
SCUBA is an acronym for Self-Contained Underwater Breathing Apparatus. These initials originated in 1939 in the US Navy to refer...
Popularity: 49 • Tools: Recategorize
Where did the word 'Jew' originate from?
The word Jew came from the name 'Judah', who was one of the original 12 sons of Jacob, from where the 12 tribes of Israel are...
Popularity: 48 • Tools: Recategorize
Where did the phrase 'paint the town red' originate?
the phrase 'paint the town red' comes from the early 1900's. A few vandels painted a block of the town red for fun. Thus,...
Popularity: 48 • Tools: Recategorize
Where did the word 'stickler' originate?
A Stickler is someone who unyieldingly insists on something. The earliest Sticklers were umpires or referees at wrestling or...
Popularity: 46 • Tools: Recategorize
What is the origin of the term 'its all good'?
1) Probably a translation / adpatation of the French sentence expression "tout va bien". 2) Since the phrase is in general not...
Popularity: 46 • Tools: Recategorize
How did the terms Jane Doe and John Doe originate?
It's pretty simple, at the time; Jane was the most common female name, John the most common male name, Doe the most common...
Popularity: 46 • Tools: Recategorize
Where did the phrase out of order come from?
The phrase "out of Order" came from Parliamentary procedures adopted in England to provide a sense of order to meetings of the...
Popularity: 44 • Tools: Recategorize
What is the origin of English words?
I assume you mean the English Language. As far as I know most of the English language stems from Latin --- Most of the words in...
Popularity: 42 • Tools: Recategorize
Why do people say 'God Bless You' when you sneeze?
The phrase "God Bless you" has originated from an Islamic practice around more than 1400 years ago. According to Islam religion,...
Popularity: 42 • Tools: Recategorize
How did cuss words get to be cuss words?
Popularity: 41 • Tools: Recategorize
What is the origin of the phrase 'to turn in' in the context of 'to go to bed'?
Turn in "go to bed" is attested from 1695, originally nautical.
Popularity: 41 • Tools: Recategorize
Is fugazy an english word?
An Italian-American slang term for something that is not authentic. It was made famous by the movie Donnie Brasco. In reference...
Popularity: 40 • Tools: Recategorize
Where did the English language come from?
English is an Anglo-Frisian language brought to Britain in the 5th Century AD by Germanic settlers from various parts of...
Popularity: 39 • Tools: Recategorize
Where did slang come from?
Slang is jargon used by one specific group of people. It comes about as that group talks to each other - they naturally use words...
Popularity: 37 • Tools: Recategorize • New Update
Who invented the word podcast?
she records them even though they are boring and listens to them in jesus's gramophone she plays twister in her spare time and...
Popularity: 36 • Tools: Recategorize
Where did the word 'bungalow' come from?
It's a Bengali word adopted into the English language. answer i've also heard the explanation "a builder ran out of bricks...
Popularity: 35 • Tools: Recategorize
What percentage of words in the English language are borrowed from other languages?
One scientist came up with these statistics after examining 10,000 words found in business letters: French: 41% "Native"...
Popularity: 34 • Tools: Recategorize
Where did the word 'please' come from?
The beginnings of the word come from a phrase such as, "would it bring you pleasure to ..." Pleasure in that context is only...
Popularity: 33 • Tools: Recategorize
Where does the word picnic come from?
It was originated from slavery, from my references. According to the Oxford English Dictionary, the first recorded use of...
Popularity: 33 • Tools: Recategorize
What is the origin of the word leppy?
It is a motherless calf. Origin unknown.
Popularity: 33 • Tools: Recategorize
What is the origin of the word tea?
My dictionary says it comes from the Chinese (Amoy) t'e, which is derived from the ancient Chinese d'a.
Popularity: 33 • Tools: Recategorize
How are the meanings of words formed?
At the risk of repeating other people's work, we could start by considering Chomsky's thinking on this. Assembled experiences of...
Popularity: 32 • Tools: Recategorize
Where does the word sandwich come from?
Lord Sandwich who loved playing cards couldnt leave the table and therefore needed something quick to eat. So he made the first...
Popularity: 32 • Tools: Recategorize
Why is the thing below your jawline called an Adams apple?
Popularity: 32 • Tools: Recategorize
What does def con mean As in I was so mad I was at def con five?
Def con is an "underground" hacking convention. This is an American military term used to report the level of threat to the...
Popularity: 31 • Tools: Recategorize
What is the meaning of calatrava?
Calatrava was (and may still be) city extreme southern borders of Castile (Spain). The origin and original meaning of the word is...
Popularity: 31 • Tools: Recategorize
Who coined the term checkout?
Billy Condon
Popularity: 31 • Tools: Recategorize
What is the definition of 'vandalism'?
The definition of 'vandalism' is willful or malicious destruction or defacement of public or private property.
Popularity: 30 • Tools: Recategorize
In the saying for Pete's sake who is Pete?
That would be St. Peter in the Bible.
Popularity: 30 • Tools: Recategorize
What is the etymology of the word 'persuasion'?
Based on the verb persuade. Root: Latin, per, "through," in the sense of "thoroughly," and suadere, "to urge."
Popularity: 30 • Tools: Recategorize
How did the term pound as a unit of weight originate?
The word "pound" comes from the Latin word pendere, meaning "to weigh".
Popularity: 30 • Tools: Recategorize
What is the origin of the word thank you?
french Au contraire , Thank you derives from the German Danke, also rendered as Dank U in Dutch
Popularity: 30 • Tools: Recategorize
If Native Americans came from Asia are there any Asian words found in Native American languages?
I don't know if there can be found any words (because I can't find any dictionary on the Internet of a Siberian language or a...
Popularity: 30 • Tools: Recategorize
What does grapevine communication mean?
this is a communication barrier characterized by false information or hearsays. gossip As in, "I heard it through the...
Popularity: 30 • Tools: Recategorize
Where did the word 'drama' originate?
the first people to do these things [theatre and drama] were the Egyptians, and from them the Greeks learned them
Popularity: 29 • Tools: Recategorize
What is the origin of the word blackmail?
Its origin had nothing to do with the post office. Mail in this sense was an old Anglo-Norse term for rent or tribute. During the...
Popularity: 29 • Tools: Recategorize
What is the etymology of 'intelligence'?
From the on-line etymology dictionary: intelligence 1390, "faculty of understanding," from O.Fr. intelligence (12c.), from L....
Popularity: 29 • Tools: Recategorize
Why is the word 'tomorrow' sometimes written as 'to-morrow' in literature?
It used to be two words. The normal progression is from "open" (two separate words) to hyphenated to "closed" (one word). This...
Popularity: 29 • Tools: Recategorize
Why is the spoon called a spoon?
Spoon is derived from Old English spón, meaning chip of wood (Compare Old Norse spann, sponn chip/splinter, spoon; Swedish spån...
Popularity: 28 • Tools: Recategorize
Is deeded a word?
No, deeded is not a word whoever asked this question because deeded is already pural. Of course "deeded" is a word. The asker is...
Popularity: 28 • Tools: Recategorize
What is word number 1 in cebuano?
Cebuano numbers are the same in Spanish numbers same pronouncement and spelling. as in uno, dos, tres etc... one, two, three...
Popularity: 28 • Tools: Recategorize
What does grave offense mean?
One of the meanings of "grave" is "serious." From Dictionary.com: 1. serious or solemn; sober: a grave person; grave thoughts. ...
Popularity: 28 • Tools: Recategorize
What is a numty?
I do not know but I suggest using wiktionary. A 'numty' is to describe a mildly moronic person. It derives from the English...
Popularity: 28 • Tools: Recategorize
What is a muckshaw?
The Muckshaw Ponds Preserve is a place in Sussex County, New Jersey. It features natural sink holes and supports a high...
Popularity: 28 • Tools: Recategorize
What does fait accompli mean?
Very simple answer. This French term simply means that the problem has been solved; that the program has been completed; that...
Popularity: 28 • Tools: Recategorize
Where did the expression ''Let them eat cake'' originate?
Marie Antoinette is reported to have said 'Qu'ils mangent de la brioche'. When French bakers ran out of bread, they were obliged...
Popularity: 28 • Tools: Recategorize
How did black people come to be called 'negroes'?
The terms "negro, black, colored, and ethiopia" were all marks placed upon the Moors of Northwest by the Europeon nations in...
Popularity: 27 • Tools: Recategorize
Who invented swear words?
if you look into swear words past they all come from different origins.
Popularity: 27 • Tools: Recategorize
How did the expression 'apple of my eye' come about?
The original meaning of the term 'apple of your eye' was the iris or center of the eye. Shakespeare used the term with this...
Popularity: 27 • Tools: Recategorize
Could wait be defined as pursue?
No. Check any dictionary.
Popularity: 27 • Tools: Recategorize
What is the origin of the word shampoo?
Shampoo: From Hindi cā[mdot]pō, imperative of cā[mdot]pnā, to press http://www.answers.com/shampoo
Popularity: 27 • Tools: Recategorize
What is the origin of the term hand over fist?
Most likely a naval term, the hauling of a rope is done "hand over fist". Originally indicated slow steady progress, as in...
Popularity: 27 • Tools: Recategorize
Where did the word circa come from?
The word circa is Latin and in English it means about, approximately.
Popularity: 27 • Tools: Recategorize
What is the origin of the word stepmother?
According to the Online Etymology Dictionary: ; step- : O.E. steop-, with connotations of "loss," in combinations like steopcild...
Popularity: 27 • Tools: Recategorize
What are some free online etymology dictionaries?
Mirriam websters dictionary Answer Go to OneLook.com and key in your question. You will automatically get definitions from all...
Popularity: 26 • Tools: Recategorize
How do you find etymology for a given word?
Also many, but not all, dictionaries include the etymologies of words, usually before the definition.
Popularity: 26 • Tools: Recategorize
Where did 'scared stiff' originate?
I'm sure I could find the answer to this in a nanosecond by searching for it, but my guess it would be something to do with Rigor...
Popularity: 26 • Tools: Recategorize
What is the etymology of the word pteropsida?
Pteropsida are type of fern, but the term encompasses several sub-types: see http://www.answers.com/pteropsida A large group of...
Popularity: 26 • Tools: Recategorize
Why is the word hospital in the word hospitality?
Because hospitals take care of you, thats what hospitality is. I'm sure there's a better answer using the latin root word(s),...
Popularity: 26 • Tools: Recategorize
What is the origin of the word 'freeway'?
As opposed to a "tollway" on which the user is charged for using the highway, freeways do not charge a fee for use.
Popularity: 25 • Tools: Recategorize
What are some words that contain the root 'port'?
The following is a list of words that contain the root port: report portal sport support rapport transport purport export...
Popularity: 25 • Tools: Recategorize
What is the origin of the word 'policy'?
I guess it could come from latin "pulire", to clean
Popularity: 25 • Tools: Recategorize
What is the origin of the word 'knead'?
I believe this comes from "kneading bread, or dough". "To knead or shape something out of soft dough". This can be answered by...
Popularity: 24 • Tools: Recategorize
What is a bastard?
The word bastard originates from latin/greek word berstardium and it means the man who has no father as time has left him...
Popularity: 24 • Tools: Recategorize
Which word is the origin of the word 'water'?
From Dictionary.com: Word History: Water is wet, even etymologically. The Indo-European root of water is *wed-, "wet." This root...
Popularity: 24 • Tools: Recategorize
Where does the term tony suburb come from?
'Toney', i.e. having 'tone' means "Marked by an aristocratic or high-toned manner or style." Hence, a 'toney suburb' would be a...
Popularity: 24 • Tools: Recategorize
What is the origin of the word 'whippersnapper'?
Popularity: 24 • Tools: Recategorize
What language is admiral from?
Arabic Admihr al bahr Commander of the sea Answer Strictly speaking, admiral came from amir-al meaning "commander of..." or...
Popularity: 24 • Tools: Recategorize
Why is there a star and crescent on the Portsmouth symbol?
It seems that in the 12th century the arms of the crescent were open to the top. King Richard I of England adopted the star and...
Popularity: 24 • Tools: Recategorize
I'm trying to get to know my already boyfriend by dating him I just don't know what to do to break the ice we're both shy?
have a couple dates, ask him questions, just hang out with him. and since you both are shy, hang out with a group of friends...
Popularity: 24 • Tools: Recategorize
What is the origin of the word banana?
The name 'banana' is apparently derived from the Arab word for 'finger'.
Popularity: 24 • Tools: Recategorize
Where did the word 'gaggle' originate?
Middle English gagel, from gagelen, to cackle, probably of imitative origin.
Popularity: 23 • Tools: Recategorize
Where does the Tropic of Capricorn get its name?
The Tropic of Capricorn originates from the constellation Capricornus, which marked the southern limit of the plane of the...
Popularity: 23 • Tools: Recategorize
What is the origin of the word disable?
From dis, meaning not, and able.
Popularity: 23 • Tools: Recategorize
What does the 'Zip' in Zip code mean?
'ZIP' actually stands for Zone Improvement Plan, designed to improve mail sorting and delivery more efficiently. ZIP (Zone...
Popularity: 23 • Tools: Recategorize
What is the origin of the phrase Indian giver?
It is an old and very racist term that should never have been used at the time, and definitely should not be used today. When...
Popularity: 23 • Tools: Recategorize
What does 'discipline' mean?
do what you should do at the time that you should do it.
Popularity: 23 • Tools: Recategorize
From where did the slang use of the word chick originate?
The word chick is a short form for chicken and its use in American slang to refer to a young woman is attributed to Sinclair...
Popularity: 23 • Tools: Recategorize
Where does the word Botany come from?
It comes from the Latin botanicus and the Greek botane meaning 'plant' or ' herb'. ANAMIKA Botany word come from greek word...
Popularity: 23 • Tools: Recategorize
What is the etymology of the word rhesus?
It's from the Greek "Rhesos," which was the name of a mythological figure. It's from "Rhesos", king of Thrace in north Greece...
Popularity: 23 • Tools: Recategorize
What is the difference between phrase-a bit of knowledge and bit of knowledge?
a bit of knowledge means less knowledge (to someone) bit of knowledge a material which gives knowledge
Popularity: 22 • Tools: Recategorize
Is the correct term 'bold face lie' or 'bald faced lie' or another variation?
The more correct term is "bald-faced lie" or "bare-faced lie" (bare is more common in Great Britain). It refers to a "shameless"...
Popularity: 22 • Tools: Recategorize
Does the name 'sirloin' for steak really come from King Henry XIII knighting a loin steak?
Yes, King Henry was on his way to Scotland, and stopped just outside Preston where he was served a loin steak. He enjoyed the...
Popularity: 22 • Tools: Recategorize
What is the word origin of sad?
where did the word sad come from?
Popularity: 22 • Tools: Recategorize

