Word Origins
Some of our English words have very unique and surprising origins. Find out where some of your favorite words came from.
Adios, Adieu, and Cheerio: Why Do We Say “Goodbye?”
The Frabjous Words Invented By Lewis Carroll
Foxy, Catty, Fishy: Traits for Animals or Humans?
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Speak of the Devil! 15 Infernal Names for The Evil One
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From “Witch” to “Ghoul,” Here’s How These Spooky Figures Got Their Names
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Why Do We Say “Trick or Treat”?
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’90s vs. Now: How These Words Have Evolved
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Booyah — Dictionary.com Is 30! A Trip Back to 1995
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Why Is Friday the 13th Unlucky?
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Which Overachiever Is August Named For?
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Words Popularized by Shakespeare That We Still Use
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What’s So “Good” About “Good Friday”?
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Cheesy Names: Do You Know These Cheese Toponyms?
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What Makes Holi the Most Colorful Event of the Year?
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The Major Facts About The Month of Ramadan
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The Complexity Of African American Vernacular English
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What Do Shrove Tuesday, Mardi Gras, Ash Wednesday, And Lent Mean?
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Where Does the Name “Winter” Come From?
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12 Names for Santa Claus From Around the World
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“Autumn” vs. “Fall:” What Was the Season Called First?
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Is Your Name in the Dictionary? Proper Names With Other Meanings
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Old English Words We Can Use Again
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Portmanteau and Other Cool Words About How We Use Words
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Why Do Babies Around The World Say “Mama”?
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Where Did the Word “Achoo” Come From? Why Do We Say “Bless You”?
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12 Mythic Words From Mythologies Around The World
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The Curious Name Origins of World-Famous Vacation Destinations
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17 English Words That Derive From Sanskrit
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The Mysterious Origins of the Month of April’s Name
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Does March the Month Have Anything to Do With Marching?
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How Did the Month of February Get Its Name?
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Where Did the Word “Vegan” Come From?
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Where Does the Name “January” Come From?
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What Does “Auld Lang Syne” Actually Mean?
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Celebrate the Season with These Words for Capricorns
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How the Month of December Got Its Name
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What Does the Name “November” Mean?
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The Meanings Behind These (In)Famous Potion Ingredients
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Where Your Favorite Halloween Candy Got Its Name
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16 Spanish-Derived Words That Highlight Hispanic Cultures
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Where Does the Name “October” Come From?
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The Story Behind “It Was A Dark And Stormy Night”
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Why Does September Come From The Word “Seven”?
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What’s So “Sinister” About The Left Hand?
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Treat Yourself To The Origins Of 11 Food Toponyms
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The Origin of July and the Jubilant Holidays It Holds
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“Evoke” Vs. “Invoke”: Time To Call Forth Their Differences
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How Did the Month of June Get Its Name?
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These Popular Auto Racing Terms Will Fuel Up Your Vocabulary
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Words That Every Gemini Should Know
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How Did the Month of May Get Its Name?
