onlinecollegedegreee.blogspot.com 40 Weird Words (and their Weirder Origins)Why do we call dunces dunces? John Green gives us the etymological low down on this and 39 other unusual words in the latest episode of Mental Floss.
Conspicuously absent from this fascinating roundup: the secret origins of "nerd" and "dork," how the genitals got their names, and why there's a "b" in the word "doubt."
Two more things for the etymologically inclined. One: I really can't recommend this animated history of the English language enough. Two: this visualization that color codes words according to their origins is really worth a look.
[Mental Floss]
RelatedThe secret origins of nerd, dork, and other things you've been called
No longer are the terms "nerd" and "geek" used as insults. We have taken them back from those who would mock us, and now wear… Read…
How Genitals Got Their Names, or Why a Penis Is Called a Pizzle
Why is a penis called a penis? Most names of our genitals arise from other languages. And once you know the origins of the names for these body… Read…
Why there's a "b" in the word "doubt"
English is widely recognized as one of the world's most difficult languages, due in no small part to its deep, highly irregular orthography.… Read…
This animated history of the English language is wonderful
I didn't mean to watch this entire thing, but dammit if I didn't sit through all ten minutes (alright, technically 11 minutes and 20… Read…
Color-coded text reveals the foreign origins of your words
Your language is not your own. The words you speak have been borrowed, modified, and molded by the forces of linguistic evolution. And the sentences… Read…
onlinecollegedegreee.blogspot.com 40 Weird Words (and their Weirder Origins)
