Did You Know?
The word ‘gorilla’ comes from an ancient African word meaning ‘hairy person.’
Greek explorer Hanno the Navigator recorded the word from local guides in West Africa around 500 BCE, showing how some animal names preserve very ancient linguistic encounters.
Did You Know?
The word ‘sincere’ may come from Latin words meaning ‘without wax.’
One etymology suggests it comes from 'sine cera,' referring to Roman sculptors who worked 'without wax,' meaning they...
Did You Know?
The word ‘mortgage’ comes from French words meaning ‘death pledge.’
Combining 'mort' (death) and 'gage' (pledge), the term reflected the serious nature of the financial commitment. The pledge...
Did You Know?
‘Ye’ in ‘Ye Olde Shoppe’ was never actually pronounced ‘ye.’
The 'y' in these signs was actually a representation of the Old English letter 'thorn' (þ), which made...