Tag: language
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A country, a hat, a palindrome – “Panama”!
What do rum and capybaras have in common? Why, the origin of “Panama.”
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Etymology of the Day: Pal
We can use it when we’re trying to get a stranger’s attention in a friendly way. Hey, pal, though you’d want to know you left your lights on. We can also use when it we’re trying to get a stranger’s attention in a not so friendly way. Excuse me, pal, but I was in line…
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Etymology of the Day: Dibs
I call dibs on the last slice of pizza! I get dibs on top bunk! When Steve moves on to his new job, I call first dibs on his cubicle! When someone calls or gets dibs on something, they are claiming a right to it before anyone else. But where does this playful expression come…
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How the word, and title, “president” took its seat
In Latin, president literally means “the one who sits before.” Presidents’ Day, officially called Washington’s Birthday, has been a US federal holiday since 1879, honoring the country’s first president – and subsequent ones – around his date of birth, February 22. But where does the word president come from, and why, exactly, did the US…
Mashed Radish 