Mashed Radish

Mashed Radish

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

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  • Etymology of the Day: Galoshes

    If it’s raining outside, you might want to put on your “log-feet”—er, galoshes. Good thing we don’t look to etymology for fashion tips. Galoshes English put on the word galosh—which we usually use as galoshes, because footwear comes in pairs—in the late 14th century. Back then, galoshes named a variety of boots and shoes, though Read more.

    John Kelly
    April 13, 2017
    Etymology of the Day

  • Review: The Word Detective by John Simpson

    I’ve often been asked, “You’re the kind of person who likes to read the dictionary, aren’t you?” Well, I’m not just someone who enjoys reading the dictionary. I’m also someone who takes great pleasure in reading books about the dictionary. In this case, it’s John Simpson’s The Word Detective: Searching for the Meaning of It Read more.

    John Kelly
    April 12, 2017
    Review

  • United Airlines might learn a thing or two from the origin of “accommodate”

    United Airlines is under fire after guards violently dragged a passenger from a flight the airline overbooked on Monday. Its CEO, Oscar Munoz, only made matters worse when he apologized for “having to re-accommodate these customers.” United is clearly making up its own, all-too-self-accommodating definition of accommodate. So, let’s help them out: The history and Read more.

    John Kelly
    April 11, 2017
    Feature

  • Etymology of the Day: Caddie

    After a career chasing a major, Spanish golfer Sergio Garcia swung his way back to clinch the Masters Tournament on Sunday. When he sank his winning putt, Garcia warmly acknowledged his final contender, Justin Rose, and his caddie, before embracing his own, Glen Murray. For as they say, behind every great golfer is a caddie. Read more.

    John Kelly
    April 10, 2017
    Etymology of the Day

  • Pepsi, Gibraltar, and other names in the news

    From soda ads to ancient military strongholds, this week featured many newsworthy names.  Let’s have a look at a few—and, as always, their origins. Read more.

    John Kelly
    April 7, 2017
    Feature

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