Word histories » Etymology
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I am a French citizen named Pascal Tréguer. I graduated in French literature and linguistics from the University of Nantes and the Sorbonne. I am now living in Lancashire and devoting my time to uncovering the stories behind words and phrases. I am in particular trying to expose the falseness of many etymologies flourishing in books and on the Internet. Follow to get articles on etymology.
Word histories » Etymology
2d ago
USA, 1956—diarrhoea suffered by travellers, originally and especially in Mexico—borrowed from Spanish ‘turista’, translating as ‘tourist ..read more
Word histories » Etymology
5d ago
USA, 1871: a person who frequently uses or coins slang words and phrases—USA, 1926: a person who studies the use and historical development of slang—blend of the nouns ‘slang’ and ‘linguist ..read more
Word histories » Etymology
1w ago
one of the German air raids in 1942 on places of cultural and historical importance in Britain—from ‘Baedeker’: any of a series of guidebooks to foreign countries, issued by the German publisher Karl Baedeker (1801-1859) and his successors ..read more
Word histories » Etymology
1w ago
16th century: a plant of the most familiar or frequently occurring kind, especially one that is cultivated—hence, figuratively, 19th century: something ordinary or usual for its type ..read more
Word histories » Etymology
1w ago
UK—the noun ‘pig’s ear’ is colloquially used to designate a mess, a botched job—probably a euphemism for ‘pig’s arse ..read more
Word histories » Etymology
1w ago
UK—a ball game for three players, in which the middle player tries to intercept the ball as it passes between the other two—hence: a person, party, etc., caught between others in a conflict, dispute, etc ..read more
Word histories » Etymology
2w ago
USA, 1862—coined by Ralph Waldo Emerson: to set oneself high aspirations—later also: to advance one’s ambitions by associating oneself with somebody more successful or powerful ..read more
Word histories » Etymology
2w ago
UK Parliament, 1902: rapid verbal exchanges between two parties—Queensland Parliament, 1902: the to and fro of amendments to bills between two Houses of Parliament ..read more
Word histories » Etymology
2w ago
the use of books for therapeutic purposes, especially in the treatment of mental health conditions—USA, 1914—coined by essayist and Unitarian minister Samuel McChord Crothers (1857-1927 ..read more
Word histories » Etymology
2w ago
USA, 1906: a female attendant who shows people to their seats in a church—USA, 1907: a female usher at Oscar Hammerstein’s Manhattan Opera House—from ‘usher’ and the suffix ‘-ette’, forming nouns denoting women or girls linked with, or carrying out a role indicated by, the first element ..read more