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 – Pinpoint
The word pinpoint was trending recently on EtymOnline.com, so naturally, I had to click in and see what was so interesting. And what I learned was that the way we use it most often--"to locate precisely"--is actually an aeronautic term dating from 1917. Before...
Word of the Week – Spy
Tomorrow, I'll be celebrating the release of The Spy Keeper of Marseille. This is the second book of mine with the word spy in the title (along with Circle of Spies), but would you believe I've never featured the word here before?? Gasp! This must be rectified...
Word of the Week – Patriot
Original post published July 4, 2011. I love being an American. I'm proud of my country, I admire our roots, and I truly believe in the ideals on which we were founded. I will sing "God Bless America" from the top of my lungs! I don't think my country's perfect by any...
Word of the Week – Terrible & Terrific
These words might not be used the same way today, but they’re very close in etymology!
Word of the Week – Barbecue
These myths are pretty old!
Word of the Week – Mermaid
These myths are pretty old!
Word of the Week – Bee
One of the oldest words we have is…”bee”
Word of the Week – Trope and Tropical
Did you know that “trope” and “tropical” are from the same root?
Word of the Week – Arithmetic
Let’s see where “arithmetic” comes from.
Word of the Week – Glamour
Glamour is quite a magical word…
Word of the Week – Grammar
“Grammar” has more history than I knew!
Word of the Week – Mathematics
Do you know what the root word of “mathematics” means?
Word of the Week – Frondescence
A fun (new to you?) word for spring
Word of the Week – Glowup
By reader request, let’s check out the new word “glowup”!
Word of the Week – Snug & Snuggle
What do you think of when you hear the words “snug” and “snuggle”?
Word of the Week – Saturday
Why is the seventh day of the week called “Saturday”?
Word of the Week – Friday
Why is the sixth day of the week called “Friday”?
Word of the Week – Thursday
Why is the fifth day of the week called “Thursday”?
Word of the Week – Tuesday
Why is the second day of the week called “Monday”?
Word of the Week – Monday
Why is the second day of the week called “Monday”?
Word of the Week – Sunday
Why is the first day of the week called “Sunday”?
Word of the Week – (Ash) Wednesday
Ever wonder about the origins of “Ash Wednesday”?
Word of the Week – Festoon
Let’s get festive and look at the history of the word “festoon”!
Word of the Week – Art
Not just the idea, but even the root of the word “art” goes back to mankind’s earliest days!
Word of the Week – Human
Let’s take a look at the history of the word “human”
Word of the Week – Trend
“Trend” is actually a nautical word.
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”?