four-twenty / 420 18 February 2026 There are many origin stories for 420, a slang term referring to marijuana, but unlike most slang terms, researchers have been able to pin down its actual origin with specificity. 420 was first used by a group of students at San Rafael High School in 1971, and
ring / ringleader 16 February 2026 Ring comes down to us from the Old English hring with much the same meaning as today, a circlet, often made of metal, to be worn as an ornament, or more generally, any similar circular structure, or a group of people arranged in a circle, as in
sur- 13 February 2026 The other day I was wondering about the word surname. What is the sur-? prefix. The etymology, while perhaps not immediately obvious, is quite straightforward; the sur- is a French variation on the Latin super, meaning above or beyond. It comes to us, like many French roots,
rap 11 February 2026 Rap has four broad senses, all stemming from the first: a blow or strike; a criminal charge; an utterance or conversation; and a musical genre. The sense of rap meaning a blow or strike is probably echoic in origin. Much like tap and clap, it represents the
tell that to the marines 9 February 2026 The origin of the phrase tell that to the marines is exactly what you might think it to be, an expression originally used by sailors that implies their shipmates in the marines are gullible. The earliest example of the phrase that I’m aware of is in
take me to your leader 6 February 2026 The phrase take me to your leader is a science fiction cliché, so much so that in the 2007 “Voyage of the Damned” Christmas episode of Doctor Who the time-traveling, title character said, “Take me to your leader! I’ve always wanted to say that!” (Another phrase
poutine 4 February 2026 Poutine is a contender for the Canadian national dish, although whether or not it can unseat Kraft Dinner (i.e., Kraft macaroni and cheese) in overall popularity is questionable. But the origins of both the dish and its name are shrouded in mystery, and its pedigree is
franchise / enfranchise / disenfranchise 2 February 2026 The English franchise is a borrowing of an Anglo-Norman word, which could mean freedom in various contexts. It could mean freedom as opposed to serfdom; a special right, privilege, or exemption; a corporate body, such as a town or guild; citizenship or membership in a corporate body;
Tommy / Tommy Atkins 30 January 2026 The great joy of running this website is that now and again I uncover an origin that simultaneously connects with great historical figures and events and reveals how language, the most human of inventions, works. The British slang term for a soldier, Tommy, is just such a
graduand 28 January 2026 Graduand is a rare but useful word. It refers to a student who has completed all the requirements for a degree but has yet to graduate. It is from the Medieval Latin graduandus, the gerundive form of the verb graduare, meaning to be graduated. It has its
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cardigan, raglan, & balaclava 26 January 2026 The Crimean War (1853–56), fought between the Ottoman Empire, France, Britain and Russia, gave rise to the names of three types of clothing still commonly worn today, the cardigan sweater, the balaclava helmet, and the raglan sleeve. Two are named for generals who were perhaps better
