Donate SIGN UP

Word Origins

61 to 80 of 380

First Previous 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Next Last

Avatar Image
derekpara
What is the origin of the word, Shampoo ? Could it Indian, or French ? Cheers D...
Avatar Image
emmie
that you find hard to spell or worse say. I fall at the first hurdle of unequivocal, for reasons i can't explain, it comes out jumbled, and now i have to put it aside, or find an alternative....
Avatar Image
To-Ryscum
years ago,my mum would say "Don"t just stand there "like Piffin on a Mountain",get a move on"! Who was this Piffin,or was it Piffy ? or do you have another version,where you...
Avatar Image
Stamford_Richard
What is the origin of 'train station'? Why did we need to cease using 'railway station' and use 'train station' instead?
Avatar Image
JonnyBoy12
Not sure if this is the right area to put this question in, but here goes anyway. I know that I have seen a dictionary of slang online but not sure where it is, or what its' name is. I know I could...
Avatar Image
boxtops
SPELUNKER noun a person who explores caves, especially as a hobby. Origin: 1940–45; < Latin spēlunc ( a ) cave (≪ Greek spêlynx, stem spēlyng-, akin to spḗlaion; compare...
Avatar Image
tearinghair
We have transmit, permit, admit, commit and goodness knows how many more, but what happened to the simple 'mit'? I know they all come from Latin mittere, to send, + various prepositions, but it seems...
Avatar Image
Jemisa
Where does this word come from? and what does it actually mean? Jem...
Avatar Image
emmie
you are having a conversation, and stop dead, because for whatever reason the word that you need won't come to mind, no matter how hard you rack your brain. I did it this morning and for the life of...
Avatar Image
Chuckers
In the military over the radio's they use the word CLAP. What does this stand for ?
Avatar Image
venator
The fully searchable OED is online, and can be accessed in most public libraries with computers, or at home, using a library access code. In Salford, its just SAL plus the number of your library card....
Avatar Image
x_word_fan
Does anyone know the name of the schematic pictures/maps that are often found at viewpoints that show what can be seen in the distance in certain directions? Thanks
Avatar Image
boxtops
Just listening to David Attenborough on the radio, about the origins of names of certain plants and vegetables, and how some items which are quite dissimilar carry the same name, e.g. potato and sweet...
Avatar Image
follyfancier
why is Featherstonehough pronounced as Fanshaw ?
Avatar Image
JDOvengloves
My GF used this expression a few days ago, and I've never heard it before. I think the sense of it is - there's no fooling you - you're particularly bright and insightful today etc. It doesn't sound...
Avatar Image
Invictas
I have tried to find the origin of the word Scrubber,as in tart/*** or loose woman. There are plenty of websites with possibele origins,but none that I consider plausible. Anyone got any thoughts on...
Avatar Image
MRMKHS1
Is it a load of rubbish?
Avatar Image
kris4291
Can anyone explain where the saying "It's raining in Paris" when someones petticoat is showing comes from?
Avatar Image
berylbarber
looking for foreign words and/or phrases commonly used in the english language. They are: A Vast Selection (Swedish - 11) Out of control (Malay - 4) A duty on levied goods (Arabic - 7) A great yield...
Avatar Image
fredpuli47
We think now of 'pretty' as 'pleasing to the eye' but we also say 'pretty' in 'pretty good', 'pretty tough' and so on, and once said that something cost 'a pretty penny' meaning 'a lot of money'. When...

61 to 80 of 380

First Previous 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Next Last