05th Jun 2008
Etymology Roundup
Some favorite etymology posts from recent days:
Alcoholism - “The term “alcoholism” was first used in 1849 by the physician Magnus Huss to describe the systematic adverse effects of alcohol.”
Campaign - “I’d never noticed the similarity between the words campaign and champagne but their connection is indeed etymological, based on the Romans’ influence in France both in the naming of the region and getting wine making going there.”
Suicide Girls - “A Curbed reader points us to Forgotten NY, where, as part of an excellent walking tour of the Bowery, there are great details about the famous (and doomed) 295 Bowery, aka McGurk’s Suicide Hall…”
Kid - “The root of the noun kid – of 12th century Scandinavian origin – does indeed denote the young of a goat, or of a related mammal such as the antelope. But this definition is obviously not what people mean when they use the word to talk about children.”
Immigrant - “The word “immigrant” has nothing at all to do with legal status. It means, simply, to move from one place to another for the purpose of settling down.”
Months and Days - “March - Named for Mars, the Roman god of war. Originally first month in Roman calendar, as January and February did not exist until 153 BCE (the winter was monthless).”
Leave a Reply