1. Etymologically Speaking... What follows is list of some curious word origins. Some of these incongruitiesof life. (Wilfred Funk, word origins and their romantic stories). http://www.westegg.com/etymology/

What follows is list of some curious word origins. Some of these are English, but some are French and German words from which we get some English words. Enjoy, and please let me know if you know of any other cool etymologies that I ought to add to the list! Also, I run a mailing list called RT where I send out some new, interesting etymologies that I discover every month (and other, non-philological items as well). Click here for more information. For some of my favorites, see Companion Kopf Porcelain , and Tennis Abacus Comes from the Greek word abax, which means "sand tray." Originally, columns of pebbles were laid out on the sand for purposes of counting. See calculate and exchequer Allegory From Greek allos meaning "other" and agora meaning gathering place (especially the marketplace). In times past, it was common to do one's chatting at the marketplace. Some of the topics discussed were clandestine in nature and when people spoke about them, for fear of being punished, they would speak indirectly. That is to say, they would speak about one thing in such a way as to intimate the actual information to the listener. Thus, the persons discussing clandestine matters were said to be speaking of "other things" in the marketplace. Eventually the words joined and became associated with the act of speaking about one thing while meaning another. Apple Eng.

2. Martha Barnette's Funwords.com Samples of the etymological books from wordlover Martha Barnette, author of Ladyfingers Nun's Tummies and A Garden of Words. http://www.funwords.com/

email Martha How's your vocabulary Enter the Funwords Archive here! NEWS! Coming Soon to a Ladies Home Journal near you: My interview with Jessica Lynch. On a recent October afternoon, Jessi Lynch welcomed me into her West Virginia home for a revealing chat about her terrifying ordeal, her struggles now, and her dreams for the future. Read all about it in the January issue of LHJ. We now return to our regularly scheduled programming ... Do you know where your "tragus" is? What barnyard animal inspired our word "bidet"? The surprising answers are in in my new book, Booklist calls Dog Days "as educational as it is engrossing." Check out what The New Yorker magazine and William F. Buckley, Jr. have to say about my other books on word origins! Still wondering where your tragus is? Find out here Get your copy now! "No one writes more informatively and colorfully about the creatures who run and leap and swim and fly and crawl and caper through our everyday vocabulary." Richard Lederer

3. Phrase And Word Origins Word and phrase origins Phrase and word origins. The suffix "stan" From "2107 Curious word origins, Sayings Expressions from White Elephants to a Song and Dance" by Charles Earle Funk http://www.yaelf.com/questions.shtml

4. Dr. Grammar - Etymologies - Word Origins Frequently Asked. Questions. Grammar. Resources. English as a Second. Language. word origins. Fun with Words. Have you ever. wondered about ? Specials. Language Columns Online Magazines. Plagiarism. Business Origins. I have tried to avoid answering wordorigins questions because the experts who do and often amusing etymologies. Wilton's Word Phrase Origins. Verbivore (Richard Lederer) http://www.drgrammar.org/origin.shtml

Frequently Asked Questions Grammar Resources ... Publicity Dr. Grammar - Etymologies - Word Origins I have tried to avoid answering word-origins questions because the experts who do so require vast resources and time, which I do not have. Please search and enjoy the expert sites below for well-documented, complete, and often amusing etymologies. Verbivore (Richard Lederer) ("The web site for wordaholics, logolepts, and verbivores. Carnivores eat meat; herbivores eat plants and vegetables; verbivores devour words. If you are heels over head (as well as head over heels) in love with words, tarry here awhile to graze or, perhaps, feast on the English language." The Word Detective (Evan Morris) World Wide Words (Michael Quinion) Etymologically Speaking Funwords.com (Martha Barnette) See her list of favorite sites. Oxford English Dictionary Origin of Phrases (Chuck Moreland) Take Our Word For It (Mike and Melanie) This is a weekly word-origin webzine. See their Etymology Bookstore. Morris Dictionary of Word and Phrase Origins. William and Mary Morris Family Word Finder.

5. Ye Olde English Sayings TO THESE PAGES I am a long time lover of word origins. I enjoyed your page very much out that many of your origins are "folk etymologies" stories passed among http://www.rootsweb.com/~genepool/sayings.htm

Ye Olde English Sayings A REALITY CHECK FROM A VISITOR TO THESE PAGES: I am a long time lover of word origins. I enjoyed your page very much! I think it would be nice, however, if you pointed out that many of your origins are "folk etymologies" ... stories passed among us to explain where words came from that are not necessarily based in linguistic "truth" If you have any comments about the origins of common English phrases, please CLICK HERE English sayings and customs that we have grown up with and taken for granted were explained during a tour of the Anne Hathaway house in Victoria, British Columbia. THE CLINK The name of a prison which was on Clink Street in the Southwark area of London. Claudie wrote: I always thought that the doors of the cells went "clink" when they shut behind the prisoner. Maybe a more accurate name would be the "clang". BLACK MARKET In medieval England there were nomadic mercenaries who wandered the country side and would sell their services to the highest bidder. These were hardened fighters who lived solitary lives in the wilderness. They did not have the luxury of servants to polish their armor and it would oxidize to a blackish hue, and they came to be known as black knights. At local town festivals they would have exhibition jousting matches in which the winner of the fight would win the loser's weapons and armor. The local gentry, softened by the good life, would lose to these black knights. The nomadic knights didn't have much use for an extra set of armor and would sell it back to them immediately after the fight. The losing nobility would be forced to buy back their armor and this after market came to be known as the "Black Market" (submitted by Gonzalo).

6. Word Origins word origins. Rev. Check out MerriamWebster Online at http//www.mw.com/cgi-bin/mwwod.plfor definitions as well as the origins of words. http://www.thewritersplace.com/writestuff/origins.htm

7. Wordorigins.org Wordorigins.org quot;Etymology is the study of word origins. It is not the study of insects; that is entomology. Where words come from is a fascinating subject, full of folklore and historical http://rdre1.inktomi.com/click?u=http://www.wordorigins.org/&y=02A1AB492C1EE

8. Etymologic: The Toughest Etymology (word Origin) Game On The Web If you think you know a lot about word origins and etymology, it's the perfect time for you to try ETYMOLOGIC, a tough and educational word game (don't worry, it's fun too!) word origin) or word http://www.intuitive.com/origins

In this etymology game you'll be presented with 10 randomly selected etymology (word origin) or word definition puzzles to solve; in each case the word or phrase is highlighted in bold, and a number of possible answers will be presented. You need to choose the correct answer to score a point for that question. Beware! The false answers will often also seem quite plausible, and some of the true answers are hard to believe, but we have documentation! Oh, and in case you're wondering, the word etymology comes from the Greek word 'etumos', which means real, or true, and the -ology ending indicates that it's the study of, or science of. Put them together and you get the study or science of the real or true. Impressive, eh? Protect your kids from the bad side of the net with Guardian Monitor You're person 434447 to play Etymologic! Ready? Here's your first question... Where did the word salary come from? Roman soldiers were given a wage of salt, or a salarum. In Middle French, salary meant money. Sularidon meant 'gold land' in Old German.

9. Internet Public Library: Pathfinders Take Our Word For It http//www.takeourword.com/index.html This site offersa weekly webzine where the authors answer questions about word origins. http://www.ipl.org/div/pf/entry/48468

dqmcodebase = "/javascript/" Subject Collections Business Computers Education ... Pathfinders This collection All of the IPL Advanced Word and Phrase Origins This guide is designed for anyone who is looking for the origin of words and/or phrases, also called etymology (these terms will be used interchangeably in this pathfinder). Both print-based and Web-based sources are included. Internet Sources Searching for Etymology Print Resources Internet Sources In general, web sites on word and phrase origins are good, but not comprehensive: most of them are question services of a sort, and the answers are posted on the site. Some of these archives can be quite large, and not necessarily organized by anything more than date of posting; if you're looking for something specific, use the find Brewer's Dictionary of Phrase and Fable http://www.bibliomania.com From the 1894 work of the same name; this is extensively cross-referenced, and excellent for phrases which have their roots in literature or mythology. Follow the Research - Reference links from the Bibliomania home page. The Word Detective http://www.word-detective.com

10. Etymologic: The Toughest Etymology (word Origin) Game On The Web If you think you know a lot about word origins and etymology, it s the perfect timefor you to try ETYMOLOGIC, a tough and educational word game (don t worry http://www.etymologic.com/

In this etymology game you'll be presented with 10 randomly selected etymology (word origin) or word definition puzzles to solve; in each case the word or phrase is highlighted in bold, and a number of possible answers will be presented. You need to choose the correct answer to score a point for that question. Beware! The false answers will often also seem quite plausible, and some of the true answers are hard to believe, but we have documentation! Oh, and in case you're wondering, the word etymology comes from the Greek word 'etumos', which means real, or true, and the -ology ending indicates that it's the study of, or science of. Put them together and you get the study or science of the real or true. Impressive, eh? Protect your kids from the bad side of the net with Guardian Monitor You're person 434446 to play Etymologic! Ready? Here's your first question... Where did the word salary come from? Roman soldiers were given a wage of salt, or a salarum. In Middle French, salary meant money. Sularidon meant 'gold land' in Old German.

11. Word Origin - Ask About Word And Phrase Origins And Meanings ask about words,word origin, word origins, words origin, words origins, word meaning,word meanings, word definition, phrase origin, phrase origins, help with http://www.wordwizard.com/

This page uses frames, but your browser doesn't support them. ask about words,word origin, word origins, words origin, words origins, word meaning, word meanings, word definition, phrase origin, phrase origins, help with writing,help with letter,quotations, quotes, quote, insults, neologisms, new words, slang,english,english language,language ask about words,word origin, word origins, words origin, words origins, word meaning, word meanings, word definition, phrase origin, phrase origins, help with writing,help with letter,quotations, quotes, quote, insults, neologisms, new words, slang,english,english language,language ask about words,word origin, word origins, words origin, words origins, word meaning, word meanings, word definition, phrase origin, phrase origins, help with writing,help with letter,quotations, quotes, quote, insults, neologisms, new words, slang,english,english language,language ask about words,word origin, word origins, words origin, words origins, word meaning, word meanings, word definition, phrase origin, phrase origins, help with writing,help with letter,quotations, quotes, quote, insults, neologisms, new words, slang,english,english language,language

12. Hugh Young's Lexicon Of Polari Includes glossary with alternative spellings, word origins, and pronunciation. http://www.homeusers.prestel.co.uk/cello/Polari.htm

Hugh Young's Lexicon of Polari As you see, some of it ( pronunciations , parts of speech - do they still call them that?) is incomplete, and some words lack derivations ( choad maung(ed) ?). For the filling of any gaps, or any suggested additions, I will be very grateful. I have given words and phrases the benefit of the doubt, including some that may be, for example, no-one but Kenneth Williams' idiolect. I would also be grateful for suggestions of, or offers from, generous foundations who would be prepared to finance a trip to England to study Polari first-hand. A Word Meaning Source Alternate Spellings Pronunci- ation Part of Speech Original Language Original Form Example Comment acqua water h acqua n It acqua Lingua Franca (LF) akwa h aqua ajax nearby a alamo! I'm hot for you/him! d excl acr. LMO = Lick Me Out arthur masturbate k vi rhyming slang J Arthur Rank = wank aspro male prostitute h aspro n LF aspro 'money' (or E 'arse' + 'pro[stitute]' ?) h aspra Aunt Nell ears a n pl Aunt Nell! Listen to me! a excl B Word Meaning Source Alternate Spellings Pronunci- ation Part of Speech Original Language Original Form Example Comment bagadga penis h bagadga n It bagaggio "baggage"

13. Society For The Preservation Of English Language And Literature Bimonthly publication, SPELL/Binder, contains articles on grammar, usage, word origins, and other subjects of interest to language lovers. http://www.mindspring.com/~spellorg/

14. Ladyfingers & Nun's Tummies The St. Petersburg Times An etymological entrecote extraordinaire,a groaning board s worth of culinary word origins. It s as http://www.funwords.com/booksladyf.htm

. . . what they're saying about The New Yorker: "Everything in it is delightful to learn. Barnette takes us through languages and across millennia in a charming style that, starting with words describing things we eat, turns out to offer endless food for thought." The Los Angeles Times, selected Ladyfingers for its "100 Best Books of the Year" (1997): "Truly delicious ... a vast multicultural smorgasboard of our culinary delights ... a tour de force." Francine Prose, writing in People Magazine : "Will be savored by anyone with a fondness for food and a passion for language." See the infamous Ladyfingers photo in People magazine! Clarissa Pinkola Estés, Ph.D., author of Women Who Run With The Wolves, "The Gift of Story, and The Faithful Gardener: "Each and every paragraph a carousel; swirling tables laden with extraordinary scholarship and surprising facts a sensuous feast, laced with good writing and humor, for the passionate and curious lovers of food and words." Salon.com:

15. Word Origins online version of his popular column on word origins. The Word Wizard Ongoing discussion on words, competitions A weekly column on word origins and wordplay. Word-of-the-Day http://www.wordwithyou.com/links_1.htm

Links: Word Origins A Word A Day : Another service that e-mails a word and accompanying commentary to you. The largest and oldest such service. Cool word of the day: Etymology of First Names: Etymology Topics, Word Trails : Focusing on Words : Experience the wonder of words by focusing on the Latin and Greek elements. : The stories and images behind the names of the food we eat. Mr. Foster's Etymology site: Origins of Phrases: Quinion's Words : A witty look at language by Michael Quinion Random Word of the Day : From the desk of Jesse Sheidlower, a Senior editor at the reference Division of Random House. Roots of English: an etymological hypertext 'dictionary' of Greek and Latin word roots: Take Our Word for It: Weekly Etymology Magazine The music and magic of words: The Word Detective : Evan Morris' delightful online version of his popular column on word origins The Word Wizard : On-going discussion on words, competitions and gaming on language, and more: Word for Word : Comprehensive site for word and phrase origins. Under the aegis of Terry O'Connor, Australian Editor and language maven. Includes his column, forum, links and lots more: Words and Stuff: A weekly column on word origins and wordplay Word-of-the-Day : Delivered to your e-mail daily, a new word with its origins, accompanying anecdotes, and related information

16. Welcome To Characters Of Greek Mythology of the deities of Greek mythology, as well as fun stuff like the zodiac, word origins, mythical clipart, and artwork....... http://www.geocities.com/Athens/Oracle/5545/

Characters of Greek Mythology was established in June 1998 by Tonya James -Enter the myths!- Character Index Family Trees Paintings Index Mythical Clipart The Zodiac Roman Gods Creation The Titans The Olympians The Underworld Goddesses Gods Divine Sisters Nymphs Beguiling Beauties Mythical Creatures Heroes Lovers of Zeus Links and Credits Banner Links Tonya's Family Album Site Designed For 800 x 600 Resolution enable java-script for best viewing experience visitors since June 1998 If you like this site, don't forget to bookmark it! Intro and Navigation Tips Character Index Family Trees Roman Gods ... Sign Guestbook

17. Word Origins - Discover Where Words Come From Search. Literature Classic, word origins Classic Literature Guide picks. BooksAbout word origins Where did the words in language come from? http://classiclit.about.com/cs/wordorigins/

zJs=10 zJs=11 zJs=12 zJs=13 zc(5,'jsc',zJs,9999999,'') About Homework Help Literature: Classic Learn Words Word Origins Home Essentials A-to-Z Writers in Classic Literature Book Lists ... Read Mark Twain zau(256,152,180,'gob','http://z.about.com/5/ad/go.htm?gs='+gs,''); About Books Find a Writer Find Literature For Students ... Help zau(256,138,125,'el','http://z.about.com/0/ip/417/0.htm','');w(xb+xb); Stay Current Subscribe to the About Literature: Classic newsletter. Search Literature: Classic Word Origins - Discover Where Words Come From Study the origin of words to grasp meaningan essential task when studying classic literature. Alphabetical Recent Up a category Alfabette Zoope Discover thousands of names and their etymologies accompanied by a selection of photography and graphic art. American Dialect Society "Founded more than a century ago, the American Dialect Society still is the only scholarly association dedicated to the study of the English language in North America - and of other languages, or dialects of other languages, influencing it or influenced by it." Behind the Name "Most Christian countries share a common set of names, although those names are often pronounced and spelled differently across the various languages. The majority of this common set of names derives from either Hebrew, Greek, Latin, or one of the early Germanic, Celtic or Slavic languages."

18. Born To Sun: Word Creations Inspiring Spiritual Divine Mastery Imaginative excavations of word origins are used to unearth a form of divine mastery. Introduction, exercises and word archives. http://www.borntosun.com

B ORN T O S UN http://www.borntosun.com

19. Books About Word Origins And, how do the various meanings of words evolve over time. Read more about wordorigins the stories they tell Top 10 Books About word origins. Guide Picks. http://classiclit.about.com/cs/toppicks/tp/aatp_wordorigin.htm

zJs=10 zJs=11 zJs=12 zJs=13 zc(5,'jsc',zJs,9999999,'') About Homework Help Literature: Classic Learn Words ... Read Mark Twain zau(256,152,180,'gob','http://z.about.com/5/ad/go.htm?gs='+gs,''); About Books Find a Writer Find Literature For Students ... Help zau(256,138,125,'el','http://z.about.com/0/ip/417/0.htm','');w(xb+xb); Stay Current Subscribe to the About Literature: Classic newsletter. Search Literature: Classic Email to a friend Print this page Stay Current Subscribe to the About Literature: Classic newsletter. Suggested Reading Banned Classics Books on Reading Books About What to Read Books About Trickster ... Studying the Bible as Literature Related Guide Picks Books About Literary Forgery Books About Plagiarism Books About Pirate Literature Writing Literature Essays Most Popular Books About Literary Travel Banned Classics Must Reads in Literature My Last Duchess - Poem By Robert Browning ... Classic Literature E-text Directory What's Hot Mark Twain: Gilded Age and Other Novels The Wife of Bath's Tale, Modern - Geoffrey Chaucer (1340?-14... Banning Ulysses Books About Literary Travel ... City on the Hill: Colonial American Literature Guide Picks From Esther Lombardi Your Guide to Literature: Classic FREE Newsletter.

20. AskOxford: Word Origins You are currently in the US view. Frequently Asked Questions. word origins. I msure I know the origin of the word Usage. word origins. Words. Jargon Buster. http://www.askoxford.com/asktheexperts/faq/aboutwordorigins/

Entire AskOxford Site Ask the Experts English dictionary Quotations dictionary First Names dictionary Entire UK Book Catalogue HOME SHOP EDUCATION PRESS ROOM ... FOREIGN LANGUAGES SELECT VIEW You are currently in the US view Frequently Asked Questions Word Origins I'm sure I know the origin of the word... Was the first computer 'bug' a real insect? What are the 'Canons of Etymology'? What are the origins of 'a.m.' and 'p.m.'? ... Why is a batsman who makes no runs at cricket said to be out 'for a duck'? If, after browsing the FAQs, you still can't find the answer to your question then submit your query to the Oxford Word and Language Service Collective Terms for Animals Frequently Asked Questions Dictionaries ... ELT magazine

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