Word of the Week
Word history and etymology
Have you ever wondered when certain words started to be used in certain ways? Or how they even came about? If they’re related to other, similar-sounding words?
I wonder these things all the time. And so, for years I’ve been gathering interesting words together, looking at the etymology, and posting them in fun, bite-sized posts called Word of the Week. Here you’ll find everything from which definition of a word pre-dates another, to how certain holiday words came about, to what the original meaning was of something we use a lot today but in a very different way. And of course, the surprising words that we think are new but in fact are pretty ancient, like “wow”!
Word of the Week – Plastic
Do you know what “plastic” meant before the invention of, well, plastic?
Word of the Week – January
How much do you know about the Roman god whose name January comes from?
Word of the Week – Christmas
We know what Christmas is…but let’s look at the history of the word itself!
Word of the Week – Reindeer
“Reindeer” has nothing to do with reins…this one is a false-cognate!
Word of the Week – Cranberry
Every wonder where cranberries got their name?
Word of the Week – Tinsel
Let’s look at the etymology of the word “tinsel”!
Word of the Week – Thanksgiving
Let’s look at the history of the word!
Word of the Week – Eucharist
The ultimate thanksgiving…
Word of the Week – Wishbone
Ever wonder why we pull apart a bone of a turkey and make a wish?
Word of the Week – Peace
Did you know that “peace” and “pact” are related?
Word of the Week – Transgress
I was surprised to learn how “transgress” was used in the Bible!
Word of the Week – Scavenger
Before the Hunt begins, let’s look at what “scavenger” originally meant!
Word of the Week – Hey
Does “hey” as a greeting sound modern to you? Then you’re in for a surprise!
Word of the Week – Shambles
When we say things are in “shambles,” we probably have no idea what we’re really likening them to…
Word of the Week – Shampoo
Did you know that “shampoo” originally had nothing to do with soap for the hair?
Word of the Week – Stigma
Let’s take a look at the history of the word “stigma.”
Word of the Week – Appointment
Ever wonder if “appointment” and “point” have anything in common? Turns out, they do!
Word of the Week – University
This week, let’s look at the history of the word “university”!
Word of the Week – College
Ever wonder about the origins of the word “college”? As my daughter heads back to hers, I thought it would be fun to look it up!
Word of the Week – Cataclysm
A Great Cataclysm befell the people in my fantasy world…
Word of the Week – Apocalypse
“Apocalypse” didn’t always mean “end of the world”…
Word of the Week – Abibliophobia
This word might be a modern creation, but it’s a REAL THING, man!
Word of the Week – Biblioklept
“Apocalypse” didn’t always mean “end of the world”…
Word of the Week – Obey
This is at once an “of course” and a “really”?
Word of the Week – Book
Did you know that the word “book” shares a root with the word “beech”?
Word of the Week – Library
Book lovers, take note of the etymology of “library”!
Word of the Week – Gorgeous
Ever wonder if “gorgeous” and “gorge” are related?
Word of the Week – Scorcher
It’s getting hot out there! Let’s look at the history of the word “scorcher.”
Word of the Week – Muggy
My summers get “muggy”…but where did the word come from?
Word of the Week – SPF
Did you know that the first sunblock was created not for the beach, but for the ski slopes?
Word of the Week – Recruit
Ever wonder why we don’t “cruit,” but we “cruit again” (“recruit”)?
Word of the Week – Fantasy
I’m celebrating the release of my first romantasy by looking at the history of “fantasy”
Word of the Week – King
The history of the word “king” is actually rather murky…
Word of the Week – Queen
Did you know that “queen” means “wife”? Well…sort of.
Word of the Week – Wife
“Wife” has been around for a long time…but what are its roots?
Word of the Week – Husband
“Husband” has been around for a long time…but what are its roots?
Word of the Week – Moon
Let’s take a look at all the words that come from the same root and mean “moon” or “month”!
Word of the Week – Resurrect
Did you know that “resurrect” didn’t exist as a word until the 1770s?!
Word of the Week – Palm
In honor of Palm Sunday, let’s look at the history of “palm”
Word of the Week – Peruse
Did you know that “peruse” is its own opposite?
Word of the Week – -spire Words
Let’s take a look at the words that have -spire (breath) in them
Word of the Week – Muscle
Well I didn’t guess this one. “Muscle” is from “mouse”? Say whaaaaat?
Word of the Week – Green
Believe it or not, the “once more” definition of “again” was not part of it’s original meaning!
Word of the Week – Again(st)
Believe it or not, the “once more” definition of “again” was not part of it’s original meaning!
Word of the Week – Lent
As we enter the Liturgical season of Lent, let’s look at the history of the word.
Word of the Week – Cadet
The militaristic meaning of “cadet” is really only secondary!
Word of the Week – Alcohol
Did you know that “alcohol” has its roots in…cosmetics?
Word of the Week – Phony
Let’s explore the history of the word “phony”!
Word of the Week – Interest
The history of the word “interest” is, well, rather interesting…
Word of the Week – Wicked
Do you know the history of the word “wicked”?