The Origins of 420

Written by:

Barbara Mikkelson

Sep 13, 2002 The story of how the code '420' entered drug parlance as a term signifying the time to light up ...

Etymology of 86

Written by:

Barbara Mikkelson

Mar 9, 2009 Did the term '86' (to get rid of someone or something) enter the English language as part of a r ...

Etymology of Gringo

Written by:

David Mikkelson

May 29, 2001 Did the word 'gringo' come from the song 'Green Grow the Lilacs'?

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 ...

Etymology of Sirloin

Written by:

David Mikkelson

May 19, 2001 The cut of steak known as "sirloin" is not so named because an English king once knighted a piec ...

Etymology of Hot Dog

Written by:

David Mikkelson

Mar 29, 2001 Was the term 'hot dog' coined by a sports cartoonist who couldn't spell 'dachshund'?

Brass Monkeys

Written by:

David Mikkelson

Jan 9, 2001 Were brass monkeys used to store cannonballs on ships?