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?

‘Set’ has the most definitions of any word in English.

The word 'set' has over 430 different meanings in its various forms as a verb, noun, and adjective....

Read more: ‘Set’ has the most definitions of any word in English.

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‘Mortgage’ literally means ‘death pledge’ in French.

Combining 'mort' (death) and 'gage' (pledge), the term reflected the serious nature of the financial commitment. The pledge...

Read more: ‘Mortgage’ literally means ‘death pledge’ in French.

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The word ‘gymnasium’ comes from the Greek word for ‘naked.’

Ancient Greeks exercised naked, so training areas were called 'gymnasia' from 'gymnos' meaning 'naked.' This etymology preserves ancient...

Read more: The word ‘gymnasium’ comes from the Greek word for ‘naked.’