ETYMOLOGY

Definition Detective Quiz #25

We give you an obscure word with four definitions—one correct, three made up. Can you identify the correct one?

These words are the language of love (literally).

11 Words You Might Not Realize Come From ‘Love’

Whether it's bacteria, a city name, or a day of the week, love can be found in unexpected places—including our vocabulary.

Definition Detective Quiz #24

We give you an obscure word with four definitions—one correct, three made up. Can you identify the correct one?

Why Do We Call the Country “the Boonies”?

We have the military to thank.

Definition Detective Quiz #23

We give you an obscure word with four definitions—one correct, three made up. Can you identify the correct one?

12 Rare Old Words for Monsters

For the next time you encounter a sea serpent, a blood-sucking fiend, or a creepy cryptid.

Why Are Oft-Repeated Jokes or Stories Sometimes Called “Old Chestnuts”?

There are several theories as to where this phrase came from—and none of them involves the nuts.

Definition Detective Quiz #21

We give you an obscure word with four definitions—one correct, three made up. Can you identify the correct one?

Definition Detective Quiz #20

We give you an obscure word with four definitions—one correct, three made up. Can you identify the correct one?

What’s a wazoo, and why do we invoke it?

Why Do We Say “Up the Wazoo”?

On the possible origins of ‘wazoo,’ and why things are said to tumble out of it.

Where does the word 'poinsettia' come from, anyway?

The Origins of 13 Christmas Words

From worthless trinkets to misnamed chickens, here are the histories and etymologies of 13 Christmassy words.

Definition Detective Quiz #19

We give you an obscure word with four definitions—one correct, three made up. Can you identify the correct one?

Definition Detective Quiz #18

We give you an obscure word with four definitions—one correct, three made up. Can you identify the correct one?

Definition Detective Quiz #16

We give you an obscure word with four definitions—one correct, three made up. Can you identify the correct one?

Fences have a little something to do with it.

Where Does the Phrase ‘Beyond the Pale’ Come From?

To get to the answer, we need to discuss Latin, wooden stakes, Catherine the Great, and, of course, Shakespeare.

7 Words We Rarely (or Never) Use Without Their Prefixes

Solving the etymological mysteries of 'innocent,' 'disgruntled,' and other prefix-dependent words.

The meaning behind “phony“ has to do with fake jewelry.

Why Does ’Phony’ Mean Fake?

The origins of the term come from the Irish word for “ring.”

Definition Detective Quiz #15

We give you an obscure word with four definitions—one correct, three made up. Can you identify the correct one?

Where Does the Term ‘Willy-Nilly’ Come From?

It’s a compressing of an earlier phrase that also yielded variations like ‘nilling, willing’ and ‘william-nilliam.’

Definition Detective Quiz #14

We give you an obscure word with four definitions—one correct, three made up. Can you identify the correct one?

11 Words You Might Not Know Are Portmanteaux

Some words, like ‘motel,’ ‘brunch,’ and ‘sitcom,’ are obvious portmanteaux. But the portmanteaux on this list are undercover.

‘Boo’ didn’t originate as a ghostly saying.

Why Do Ghosts Say “Boo”?

If linguistics is any indicator, it would appear that everybody in the spirit realm speaks Scots English.

Why Are Some Liquors Called “Spirits”?

One theory suggests that we call liquor “spirits” because of alcohol’s association with one spirit in particular: the Holy Spirit. But there are other possible origins.

Definition Detective Quiz #8

We give you an obscure word with four definitions—one correct, three made up. Can you identify the correct one?