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Bet You Didn’t Know the Origins of These Everyday Words and Phrases
Have you ever stopped to think about the origins of the words and phrases we use every day? Many of them have interesting stories behind them that might surprise you. Here are some examples.
1. Deadline
The word “deadline” originally referred to a line drawn around a prison. Prisoners who crossed the line risked being shot by guards. By the 1860s, the term had been adopted by journalists to refer to the time by which an article had to be submitted.
2. Sandwich
The sandwich is named after John Montagu, the 4th Earl of Sandwich. Legend has it that he was so busy playing cards that he asked his servants to bring him some meat between two slices of bread, which he could eat without having to put down his cards.
3. Dope
The word “dope” originally referred to a type of sauce used to enhance the flavor of meat. In the early 20th century, it began to be used to describe drugs, and eventually came to refer to any type of information.
4. OK
The origin of the word “OK” is uncertain, but one popular theory is that it comes from the Choctaw word “okeh,” which means “it is so.” Another theory is that it comes from the phrase “oll korrect,” which was a humorous misspelling of “all correct” that was popular in the 19th century.
5. Robot
The word “robot” was first used in a 1920 play by Czech writer Karel Čapek. It comes from the Czech word “robota,” which means “forced labor.”
6. Salary
The word “salary” comes from the Latin word “salarium,” which was a payment made to Roman soldiers to buy salt. Salt was a valuable commodity in ancient times, and was used as a form of currency.
7. Posh
The word “posh” is often used to describe something luxurious or elegant. Its origins are uncertain, but one theory is that it comes from the acronym “port out, starboard home,” which referred to the most desirable cabins on a ship traveling between England and India.
8. Meme
The word “meme” was coined by biologist Richard Dawkins in his 1976 book “The Selfish Gene.” It refers to an idea or behavior that is passed from person to person within a culture, much like a gene is passed from parent to child.
9. Shampoo
The word “shampoo” comes from the Hindi word “champu,” which means “massage.” It was originally used to describe a head massage, and later came to refer to the soap used in the massage.
10. Deadline
The word “deadline” originally referred to a line drawn around a prison. Prisoners who crossed the line risked being shot by guards. By the 1860s, the term had been adopted by journalists to refer to the time by which an article had to be submitted.
In conclusion, the origins of everyday words and phrases can be fascinating and surprising. From the history of the word “deadline” to the etymology of “shampoo,” there’s always something new to learn. So the next time you use one of these words or phrases, take a moment to think about where it came from.
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