Etymology question: astronaut vs. cosmonaut. Why are there two separate terms for the same thing? Is the distinction just a Cold War relic? It always seemed a little redundant to me. What about "taikonaut"?
posted by mkn
on Feb 22, 2004 -
4 answers
Meme origin question: The phrase "bow-chicka-wow-wow" has become the standard way to signify "porn movie music." I remember seeing a stand-up comic in the late '80s/early '90s who spoke that phrase, and that was what got my circle of middle schoolers using it, although I doubt that was the real progenitor. But it's too specific of an expression to have been developed independently. Thoughts?
posted by blueshammer
on Feb 3, 2004 -
18 answers
Excuse me, but can anyone tell me: What exactly is the origin of the phrase
Go piss up a rope? I know it's present in the American South and Midwest, but did it originate elsewhere? Does the phrase occur in other countries? And how exactly
does one
piss up a rope? Does it mean
Go climb a rope (similar to
Piss off!), or literally
Go urinate up a length of braided twine? And, while we're at it, what the hell does the
H stand for in
Jesus H Christ? I've always wondered.
[...a little more inside] [more inside]
posted by Shane
on Jan 19, 2004 -
12 answers
Why is there sometimes an "X" added on the end of a three letter airport code? i.e. LAX
[more inside]
posted by SpecialK
on Jan 17, 2004 -
19 answers
What is the origin of the
1. Do one thing
2. Do another thing
3. ??????
4. Profit!
meme?
posted by jpoulos
on Jan 13, 2004 -
6 answers
Where did the term "asshat" originate, and what's it's definition?
posted by SpecialK
on Jan 8, 2004 -
10 answers
I've got a friend wondering if there's an underlying logic to how Tolkien came up with his character names. Specifically, he's wondering about any meanings or allusions to the name "Boromir." Any leads on this kind of scholarship?
posted by blueshammer
on Dec 19, 2003 -
11 answers
Where does the word "stat" come from, as in "Give me 20ccs of Ringer's Lactate, stat!"?
(I know it means quickly, but what's its origin?)
posted by jpburns
on Dec 13, 2003 -
10 answers
