What is the origin of the cross-linguistic "kutt"-like root for dog? [more inside]
posted on Jul 12, 2008 - 8 answers
Does the English language have a one-word verb meaning "to write a biography of someone"? And if so: does anyone use it? [more inside]
posted on Sep 5, 2007 - 27 answers 
How did the word "Brave" originate to identify Native Americans?
posted on Aug 3, 2007 - 6 answers
Is there a name for phrases (or sometimes words) that have lost their previous specific/narrow/jargon meanings and are now used generally in a wide variety of situations with little or no knowledge about their prior usage? Are there lists of them anywhere with the phrases and explanations? [more inside]
posted on Jul 30, 2007 - 18 answers
I need to find the word meaning "a word with mixed Latin and Greek roots." It's not just "hybrid word," but a word that specifically indicated Greek and Latin origins. I've had several people remark that they know it but can't think of it, and my search skills have failed thusfar.
posted on May 6, 2007 - 10 answers
What is the origin of the phrase, "last, best hope" as used in pretty much every self-consciously significant but ultimately cliched film, book or TV episode I've indulged myself with over the last ten years?
posted on Apr 8, 2007 - 18 answers
How did people describe "electric" experiences before electricity? I got to wondering when someone described the feeling of being pressed up against someone as "electric"...surely people had that experience (for example) before it meant "like invisible power" or "tingly all over"? [more inside]
posted on Dec 20, 2006 - 25 answers
Where did the phrase "the shit hit the fan" originate from? My googling has revealed one claim that it is from 1930's jazz lingo, although no explanantion is given as to what it meant at the time, and another site gives a story that describes the origin that doesn't seem believable. (the last paragraph here: http://www.etymonline.com/index.php?term=shit
Does anyone know where the phrase came from?
Thanks!
posted on Sep 26, 2006 - 8 answers
Muslim or Moslem? [more inside]
posted on Apr 8, 2006 - 21 answers
What is the etymology behind the word "Cohee"? [more inside]
posted on Sep 13, 2005 - 2 answers
What's the origin of the phrase "hunt you down like a dog?" I can seem to find the origins of other phrases involving dogs pretty easily but not this one.
posted on Feb 3, 2005 - 16 answers
Pronunciation/Definition Filter: The "word" merc. (+)
posted on Dec 17, 2004 - 22 answers
LanguageFilter: Any Arabic speakers here? I'm trying to decipher an Arabic phrase: "Baashake ya halo." I might have spelled it wrong, but I know it's not a common Arabic phrase so much as it is slang. Any ideas?
posted on Dec 12, 2004 - 9 answers
Etymology of the phrase "Dutch oven." (Stop giggling. The culinary sense, please.) I have a partial answer but am in need of authoratative confirmation.
posted on Dec 9, 2004 - 19 answers
Can genius be used as adjective, as in this example from the BBC: "Send Dave your genius idea."? If so, why? [More Inside.]
posted on Sep 2, 2004 - 30 answers
Is there a single-word noun that means "things that relate to blogs/are in the manner of blogs?" If not, any ideas for a made-up one?
posted on Jun 15, 2004 - 28 answers
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 on Feb 22, 2004 - 4 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]
posted on Jan 19, 2004 - 13 answers
What is the origin of the
1. Do one thing
2. Do another thing
3. ??????
4. Profit!
meme?
posted on Jan 13, 2004 - 6 answers
Where did the term "asshat" originate, and what's it's definition?
posted on Jan 8, 2004 - 10 answers
Why are gay women lesbians, while gay men are just gay?
posted on Dec 16, 2003 - 13 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 on Dec 13, 2003 - 10 answers
