Does ‘Quarantine’ Originate from the Word ‘Forty’ (Days) in Italian?
A "quarantine" separates and restricts the movement of people who were exposed to a contagious disease to see if they become sick.
Latest in Language
Was the First Known Use of ‘OMG’ Written in a Letter to Churchill?
Many may assume the term "OMG" originated with teens and smart phones.
Why Is It ‘Cancelled’ in the UK, But ‘Canceled’ in America?
Is it true that extraneous letters were dropped from certain words in American English because newspapers charged by the letter for advertising?
Etymology of ‘Tag’
How factual is the claim that the name of the children's game 'tag' originated as the acronym of 'touch and go'?
Fascism, Corporations, and Merriam-Webster
A popular meme repeated confused and inaccurate claims about the purported links between fascism and modern corporations.
Did the Phrase ‘a Shot of Whiskey’ Originate in the Old West?
Anecdotal reports say the expression "a shot of whiskey" came into being when cowboys traded bullets for liquor in Old West saloons.
Is ‘Covfefe’ a Word in Arabic? Yiddish? ‘Antediluvian’?
After President Donald Trump mistyped (then deleted) a tweet, some hurried to ascribe meanings to the mistyped word "covfefe."
The Origins of 420
The story of how the code '420' entered drug parlance as a term signifying the time to light up a joint.
Origins of the Guillotine
Dr. Joseph Guillotin neither invented the guillotine nor was executed with one of those machines.
Etymology of Sirloin
The cut of steak known as "sirloin" is not so named because an English king once knighted a piece of beef.
The Definition of ‘Trumpery’
Spoiler alert: The dictionary definition of the word 'trumpery' employs such expressions as 'deceit,' 'fraud,' and 'showy but worthless.'
The History of the Middle Finger
The 'middle finger salute' did not derive from the defiant gestures of English archers whose fingers had been severed at the Battle of Agincourt.
Most Popular View all
Did the 1981 ‘Farmer’s Almanac’ Predict COVID-19?
An old "prediction" got a new origin story.
Is It Dangerous to Wear a COVID-19 Protective Mask for Too Long?
Prolonged usage of certain masks can cause some health concerns.
Did COVID-19 Kill Chuck Norris?
Norris, now 80, has been a frequent subject of hoaxes over the years.
Is This Obama’s Official White House Portrait?
This isn't the first time the painting was mistaken as an official White House portrait.
Will Hand Sanitizer Combust If Left in a Hot Car?
Hand sanitizer is definitely flammable ... but enough to start a car fire?