Story Time

Etymology of Gringo Did the word 'gringo' come from the song 'Green Grow the Lilacs'?
  • Fact Check
Etymology of Gringo
Brass Monkeys Were brass monkeys used to store cannonballs on ships?
  • Fact Check
Brass Monkeys
Etymology of 86
  • 10 March 2009
Did the term '86' (to get rid of someone or something) enter the English language...
  • Fact Check
Etymology of 86
The Origins of 420
  • 14 September 2002
The story of how the code '420' entered drug parlance as a term signifying the...
  • Fact Check
The Origins of 420
What Does Pumpernickel Mean?
  • 20 May 2001
Is pumpernickel bread named after a horse? Does it translate to 'devil's fart'? So many...
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What Does Pumpernickel Mean?
Etymology of Sirloin
  • 20 May 2001
The cut of steak known as "sirloin" is not so named because an English king...
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Etymology of Sirloin
Etymology of Hot Dog
  • 29 March 2001
Was the term 'hot dog' coined by a sports cartoonist who couldn't spell 'dachshund'?
  • Fact Check
Etymology of Hot Dog