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folk etymology
glass of whisky on wooden table

Did the Phrase 'a Shot of Whiskey' Originate in the Old West?

Written by:
Kim LaCapria David Emery
Oct 14, 2017 Anecdotal reports say the expression "a shot of whiskey" came into being when cowboys traded bul ...
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cold turkey etymology

Etymology of 'Cold Turkey'

Written by:
Barbara Mikkelson David Mikkelson
Mar 26, 2014 Did the slang phrase for kicking a habit all at once originate with a literal reference to a plu ...
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port out starboard home

Is the Word 'Posh' a Shortening of 'Port Out, Starboard Home'?

Written by:
Snopes Staff Barbara Mikkelson
Apr 14, 2010 "Posh" is a word now best understood as a descriptor of something elegant or stylishly luxurious.
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Looking up the etymology of phat

Etymology of 'Phat'

Written by:
Barbara Mikkelson David Mikkelson
Jan 18, 2010 Does "phat" come from an acronym formed from "Pretty Hot And Tempting"?
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Etymology of 86

Written by:
Snopes Staff
Mar 9, 2009 Did the term '86' (to get rid of someone or something) enter the English language as part of a r ...
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holy smoke

Etymology of 'Holy Smoke'

Written by:
Snopes Staff Barbara Mikkelson
Apr 19, 2005 Does the exclamation "holy smoke" derive from the burning of the ballots used to elect a Pope?
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Etymology of Strawberry

Written by:
David Mikkelson
Oct 4, 2003 Are strawberries so named because they are bedded in straw?
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Is tIs the word tip an acronym for To Insure Promptness or To Insure Performance.

The Origins of Tipping

Written by:
Snopes Staff Barbara Mikkelson
Jan 16, 2003 Does the word "tip" derive from the acronymic form of the phrase "To Insure Promptness" or "To I ...
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A small gun on a table.

Etymology of Son of a Gun

Written by:
David Mikkelson
Sep 6, 2002 The disputed etymology of 'son of a gun.'
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The Etymology of 'Shit'

Written by:
Snopes Staff Barbara Mikkelson
Aug 13, 2002 Was the word "shit" formed from an acronym of 'Ship High in Transit'?
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What Does Pumpernickel Mean?

Written by:
David Mikkelson
May 19, 2001 Is pumpernickel bread named after a horse? Does it translate to 'devil's fart'? So many breadcru ...
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Stack of newspapers showing News header

Etymology of 'News'

Written by:
David Mikkelson
Apr 26, 2001 The English word 'news' is said to derive from an acronym formed from the words 'north,' east,' ...
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Etymology of the F-Word

Written by:
Barbara Mikkelson David Mikkelson
Jul 12, 1999 Did the word "fuck" originate as an acronym of the phrase "For Unlawful Carnal Knowledge"?
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Social Security 'Fun Facts'
Facebook posts said there was very sad news and that Bruce Willis was dead, but it was a death hoax.

Bruce Willis Is Not Dead, Despite 'Very Sad News' Facebook Death Hoax

Was Suspect in Paul Pelosi Attack in the US Illegally?