Word Origins

Question title

What is your question?

Most Recent

Spanish linguists ... Bodega/Vinedo
Are there any Spanish linguists please ? In Spanish, what is the difference between... ... Vinedo and Bodega ? Thank you. Jayne

joggerjayne
09/10/08
10:08

2 answers (last answered: 10/10/08 09:14)

Round the Wrekin
I know thatit means to do or go about something in a long winded way, and I know that Wrekin is in Shropshire near Telford ...... but why is "Round the Wrekin" a common phrase in the West Midlands area?

echokilo
09/10/08
06:41

1 answer (last answered: 09/10/08 07:48)

Roof(s)
Why isn't the plural of roof - rooves?

sallabananas
06/10/08
12:37

20 answers (last answered: 11/10/08 12:37)

Swashbuckling pirates
What is swashbuckling ?

sigma
05/10/08
09:38

2 answers (last answered: 05/10/08 10:31)

What is the proper name for /
I know modern parlance calls it a forward slash (American, I think) I have heard it called an oblique. But, wjat is the proper name for it?

Bellringer
01/10/08
15:35

5 answers (last answered: 07/10/08 17:12)

Orientated or oriented?
Which is the correct English useage and is the other one an 'americanism' or are they both correct?

DiddlyQuaQua
24/09/08
19:42

5 answers (last answered: 26/09/08 11:00)

strange saying
IfI was naughty as a little girl my mother would always threaten with the words "You'll see the back of my hand" WHAT........WHY.......HUH.

buddybird
14/09/08
20:52

3 answers (last answered: 20/09/08 21:11)

lipstick on a pig
origin

goochs
11/09/08
03:41

3 answers (last answered: 22/09/08 22:38)

When does 'a few' become 'several'?
E.g. my boss complained today that some plans had been left on a table for a few days. I pointed out that theyd only been there for two days, which in my books, is a couple of days, he classed this as a few days, w... [more]

whiskygalore
22/08/08
20:19

5 answers (last answered: 23/08/08 07:54)

Origin of toffee-nosed?
I'd love to know...

peterparker
22/08/08
20:08

4 answers (last answered: 11/09/08 16:58)

What is a country mile?
Is it longer than an ordinary mile?

Panic Button
21/08/08
22:15

9 answers (last answered: 26/08/08 23:57)

heat
the word heat as used for a qualifying race prior to the main event

parkinson
16/08/08
02:01

1 answer (last answered: 16/08/08 02:03)

Helter Skelter
I know what one is, but from where does the word derive?

peterparker
11/08/08
09:04

1 answer (last answered: 11/08/08 11:51)

Pylon
What is this word's origin? Prefix 'py' something to do with heat?

peterparker
11/08/08
09:02

2 answers (last answered: 09/09/08 23:58)

straw pole
origins of ( straw pole )

dustypuss
05/08/08
08:52

3 answers (last answered: 18/09/08 01:34)

What does it mean to be 'found wanting'?
I've wondered this for years. Guessing it's some kind of weakness.

peterparker
25/07/08
16:29

2 answers (last answered: 10/08/08 17:16)

Where does the phrase spitting image come from
what is the origin of spitting image

mole221
23/07/08
16:36

4 answers (last answered: 24/07/08 11:26)

That irritating little @
Is there a name for the sign which everyone uses in their email address, the @ ? There must be one; the noun for the & is an ampersand, so what of the @ ?

paulthewall
12/07/08
19:21

8 answers (last answered: 14/07/08 14:33)

gobaist
Tell me the meaning of the word gobiast?

jenny70loy
24/06/08
15:30

12 answers (last answered: 28/06/08 07:29)

green and white papers
Presumably because the actual paper used is green and white?

theforce
24/06/08
09:23

3 answers (last answered: 04/07/08 21:38)

Have Your Say

Do you think cutting a smoker's life insurance premiums is a good enough incentive for them to give up their habit?

Yes