folk etymology Archives

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...

Etymology of 86

Did the term '86' (to get rid of someone or something) enter the English language...

Etymology of Strawberry

Are strawberries so named because they are bedded in straw?

Etymology of Son of a Gun

The disputed etymology of 'son of a gun.'

The Etymology of ‘Shit’

Was 'shit' formed from an acronym of 'Ship High in Transit'?

What Does Pumpernickel Mean?

Is pumpernickel bread named after a horse? Does it translate to 'devil's fart'? So many...