Romy Oltuski

Romy Oltuski

@TheRealRomy

Romy Oltuski is a mental_floss contributor who has also written for Flavorwire, The Atlantic, Cosmopolitan, REDBOOK, and Lifestyles, among others. She graduated from Tufts University and the Columbia Publishing Course and loves writing and talking about pop culture and etymology. If that’s not off-putting, follow @TheRealRomy or email romy.oltuski@gmail.com.

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The Politically Incorrect Etymologies of 11 Words and Phrases

At various moments in its life, a word will hop languages, change meanings, travel through sinister moments and land in pleasant ones. But no matter how many times it’s superimposed, and how far it gets from its original source, a word doesn’t let go of its memories easily. Here are 11 modern English words with socially insensitive origins. 1. Hysteria (n.) – a wild, irrational eruption of fear or emotion Hysteria begins in the womb, or so thought the medical scholars of the 1610s, who named the... READ ON

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The Dirty Etymology of 9 Everyday Words

Within our lexicon lives a library of forgotten stories, developed over centuries and tucked away in words. Thanks to the dirty impulses of our forefathers, quite a few of them also contain filthy chapters, making us the unwittingly foul-mouthed butt of their humor. Here are some of our language’s naughtier practical jokes. 1. Orchid Oops, you just said: Testicles Take a look at certain orchids’ roots, and you’ll probably notice that they look like testicles. If not, you’ve set yourself... READ ON

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11 More Wonderful Words With No English Equivalent

Last summer Bill DeMain shared 15 nuanced words and expressions that simply can’t be said in English. Haley Sweetland Edwards gave you 14 more last fall. It seems no matter how great the English language is, there are plenty of mots justes missing from its lexicon. Here, indulge in a third and final volume of wonderful words and phrases you might want to start working into conversation. 1. Seigneur-terraces (French) Coffee shop dwellers who sit at tables a long time but spend little money. * 2.... READ ON

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