Mashed Radish

Mashed Radish

Etymology at the intersection of news, life, and everyday language.

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  • What is the “hanta-” in “hantavirus”?

    What is the “hanta-” in “hantavirus”?

    “Hantavirus” is named after a Korean river where the virus was first isolated in the late 1970s. Read more.

    John Kelly
    May 14, 2026
    Feature

  • “Strait” vs. “straight”: straight talk on strait differences

    “Strait” vs. “straight”: straight talk on strait differences

    Etymologically, ‘strait’ is “strict” and ‘straight’ is “stretched.” Read more.

    John Kelly
    April 26, 2026
    Feature

  • Phases of the word “moon”

    Phases of the word “moon”

    Artemis II has me waxing philosophical, poetical, and, of course, etymological. Read more.

    John Kelly
    April 12, 2026
    Feature

  • Why Easter is called “Easter”

    Why Easter is called “Easter”

    Easter, in both observance and word origin, is about new beginnings. Read more.

    John Kelly
    April 5, 2026
    Feature, Repost

  • Like tiny, perfect poems: the origins of “daisy” and “window”

    Like tiny, perfect poems: the origins of “daisy” and “window”

    Great God! Sometimes etymology offers us some sorely needed poetry. Read more.

    John Kelly
    March 28, 2026
    Feature

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Mashed Radish

Mashed Radish

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© John Kelly 2024

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