Did You Know?
‘Hysteria’ comes from the Greek word for uterus.
Ancient Greeks believed that mental disturbances in women were caused by the uterus wandering around the body. This outdated medical theory survives in our language, though the word's meaning has evolved significantly.
Did You Know?
‘Vandalism’ comes from the name of a Germanic tribe.
The Vandals were a Germanic people who sacked Rome in 455 CE. Their name became synonymous with the...
Did You Know?
‘Enthusiasm’ originally meant possession by a god.
From Greek 'entheos' meaning 'possessed by a god,' enthusiasm initially described religious fervor. Over time, it evolved to...
Did You Know?
‘Quarantine’ originally meant a forty-day period.
From Italian 'quarantina' (forty days), it referred to the time ships had to wait before landing during plagues....