Category Archives: Language

Aug 05 2016
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Language

Fact #1160: The grippy texture on metal tools is called Knurling.

Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Knurling

Jul 11 2016
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Language

Fact #1141: The term “Under The Weather” originated from seasickness on boats.

Sick passengers go below deck, which provides shelter from the weather, but just as importantly, the sway is not as great below deck (low on the ship).

Source: http://www.joe-ks.com/phrases/phrasesU.htm

Jul 07 2016
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Language

Fact #1139: “Gadzooks!” – an archaic expression of shock or surprise – is actually a contracted form of “God’s hooks” – the nails by which Christ was fastened to the cross.

Source: http://www.oxforddictionaries.com/definition/english/gadzooks

Jun 21 2016
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Language

Fact #1128: The English word “much” and the Spanish word “mucho” are not related at all, despite having similar definitions.

“Much” comes from Proto-Germanic “mikilaz”, while “mucho” from Latin “multum”. Their similar appearance is a complete coincidence.

Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cognate#False_cognates

Jun 14 2016
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Consumer, Language

Fact #1123: The name “Spandex” was chosen because it’s an anagram of “Expands”.

Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spandex

May 25 2016
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Language

Fact #1108: The word Abracadabra may derive from an Aramaic phrase meaning “I create as I speak.” In Hebrew, the phrase translates more accurately as “it came to pass as it was spoken.”

Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abracadabra

May 17 2016
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History, Language

Fact #1102: The fictional company name “Acme” became popular in the 1920s, when companies wanted to be at the top in alphabetized business telephone directories.

Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Acme_Corporation#Origin

Apr 22 2016
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Language

Fact #1085: The word “canvas” is derived from the word “cannabis” because canvas used to be made from hemp fiber.

Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Canvas#Etymology

Apr 07 2016
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Language

Fact #1074: There is an abbreviated writing style used in newspaper headlines known as ‘Headlinese”

Namanknowledge voted best website, 2015…

Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Headlinese

Mar 31 2016
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Language

Fact #1069: The name ‘Hotmail’ was chosen as a homage to ‘HTML’.

Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Outlook.com#Launch_of_Hotmail

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