Language »
Where “Catch-22″ Came From and the Origins of Other Famous Words and Phrases
Not set in stone, the English language is constantly evolving to describe new developments and experiences and to match the zeitgeist of the times. With words created out of necessity to describe a new
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The Origin of the Word “Condom”
J. Rice asks: Why do we call condoms, “condoms”? Whether one knows them as johnnys, rubbers, raincoats, jimmy hats, or the demure “protection”, people the world over know a condom when they see one.
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How Seattle, Washington Got Its Name
Today I found out how the city of Seattle got its name. Seattle is one of the only major cities in the United States to be named after a Native American chief. In his
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The Origin of the Names of the Continents
Today I found out the most likely origin of each of the continents’ names. (Using the seven continent model) First on this list is Africa. There are many different theories as to the origin
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Why Firewood is Measured in Cords and the Origin of Other Odd Units of Measurement
Jay asks: Why do we measure firewood in cords? Because that’s the way we’ve always done it; well, at least since the 17th century (more below). And as creatures of habit, once we start
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Origin of the Stock Market Terms “Bull” and “Bear”
Kevin asks: Why do we call the stock market trends “bullish” and “bearish”? For those who don’t know, a “bear” market, or when someone is being “bearish” in this context, is marked by investors
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Why Greenland is an Island and Australia is a Continent
Today I found out why Greenland is an island and Australia is a continent. There are several different ways of thinking about how many continents there are, with models ranging from 4 to 7
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Why We Have a Seven Day Week and the Origin of the Names of the Days of the Week
Today I found out why we have a seven day week and the origins of each day’s name. Two of the earliest known civilizations to use a seven day week were the Babylonians and
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Canary Birds Were Named After the Canary Islands, Not the Other Way Around
When one hears “Canary Islands” who doesn’t think of a colorful chorus of birds in the local pet shop or that bright yellow soul swinging in the living room? While most of us assume
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Why the Viet Cong Were Called “Charlie”
Mike T. asks: Why were the Viet Cong called “Charlie” during the Vietnam War? First, because I suspect there are at least a few people curious and it pertains to how the name “Charlie”
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